Planning
Give the mission a purpose
Begin with clear goals, then decide what the spacecraft must do and what equipment it will need.
NASA artist concept - NASA / JPL-Caltech
Learning by building
A student-built satellite, from classroom to orbit.
Carlmont Space is Carlmont High School's space program. Its first launch is planned for 2027, with students working toward the goal of designing, building, launching, and operating real satellites.
SpacecraftStudent satellite
Planned launch2027
Target orbitEarth orbit
ProjectCarlmont Space
The mission
A small satellite,
designed by students.
Carlmont Space is a Carlmont High School program focused on designing, building, launching, and operating real satellites. The public site lists the first launch in 2027.
That means thinking beyond any one component. Structure, power, onboard computing, radio, and ground operations all have to come together as one reliable system.
Meet the spacecraft systemsThe work
From design to flight
A spacecraft mission moves through connected stages, from early planning to operations in orbit.
Engineering
Make the systems work together
Fit the structure, power, computer, and radio into a compact spacecraft and test how they interact.
NASA TEMPEST-D CubeSat - NASA/JPL-Caltech/Blue Canyon Technologies
Operations
Stay connected from Earth
Plan how a ground team will send commands, receive data, and keep track of the spacecraft in orbit.
The Moon from orbit - NASASpacecraft systems
Every part has a job.
This NASA photo shows the TEMPEST-D CubeSat, a separate mission, with its solar panels deployed. It is a reference image, not the Carlmont spacecraft.
Structure and payload
The frame holds equipment securely through assembly and launch.
Power and control
Solar cells, batteries, and the onboard computer keep the satellite operating.
Radio and ground link
A radio and ground station help send commands and receive spacecraft data.
Communications
A spacecraft needs a link to Earth.
Ground teams rely on radio links to send commands and receive information. The antenna, onboard systems, and operating plan all play a part.
See the mission planLooking ahead
Three stages of the mission
The launch date is a target. Each stage depends on careful preparation and continued testing.
Design the spacecraft
Set the mission goals, choose the equipment, and make sure every system can fit and work together.
Build and test
Assemble the spacecraft and check its electronics, software, power, and communications on the ground.
Launch and operate
Carlmont Space lists its first launch for 2027. Launch and operation are part of the stated program goal; further mission details have not been published on the public site.
First launch: planned for 2027
Getting ready
Launch day begins with ground work.
Before a rocket leaves the pad, teams assemble and test the spacecraft, check procedures, and make sure systems are ready to operate together.
Photo gallery
Views from our neighborhood in space
Images from NASA missions show Earth, the Moon, and the environment spacecraft explore.
The people behind the project
Different skills, shared mission.
Students bring mechanical design, electronics, software, and operations together. Along the way, they learn to document decisions, test ideas, and explain the work clearly.