College of Charleston students have developed an ultraviolet camera launching to the International Space Station on April 8, 2026, to study young stars and their impact on planetary habitability.
Camera Purpose
Co-created by astrophysics students Gael Gonzalez and Eva Godwin with University of Chile collaborators, the compact device monitors stellar activity as the energy source for orbiting planets.
Simulated images by Gonzalez address challenges like smeared photos from the satellite’s spin during photometry analysis.
Student Impact
Both students express thrill at their hands-on involvement, with Gonzalez eyeing her first in-person launch and Godwin linking it to her focused star research for the follow-up CubeSat mission this summer.
Broader Mission
This undergraduate-led effort showcases CofC’s engineering prowess, proving small teams can deliver space-ready payloads; the camera tests for six months before the next phase advances closer to stars.
