Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring Beamed Energy Propulsion: Development And Application Of A Configurable Simulation Tool, Charles Cundiff, Michael Harrington, Victoria Coverstone, John Larosa

Small Satellite Conference

Laser sailing enables propellantless spacecraft propulsion by transferring momentum from a directed energy beam to a reflective sail. Unlike traditional chemical or electric propulsion systems, laser sails decouple propulsion performance from onboard mass and stored energy, presenting an opportunity for lightweight, scalable spacecraft maneuvering. This work develops and applies a simulation framework in FreeFlyer to evaluate the performance of laser sailing across a range of orbital missions, with emphasis on low-mass systems, such as CubeSats.

The simulation model incorporates several critical physical effects, including beam divergence, atmospheric attenuation, sail material reflectivity and emissivity, thermal loading, and realistic station visibility. The …

Hardening And Advancing Cots Fpga/Gpu Integrated Circuits For The Realization Of Space-Grade System-On-Module, Kwen-Siong Chong, Wei Shu, Joseph S. Chang

Small Satellite Conference

We propose radiation-hardening solutions to mitigate single-event-latchup (SEL) and single-event-upset (SEU) on Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) Field-Programmable-GateArrays (FPGAs) and/or Graphic-Processing-Units (GPUs), advancing COTS FPGAs/GPUs suitable for the realization of spacegrade radiation-tolerant system-on-module (SoM). Our solutions include enhanced power reliability solutions to mitigate SEL, and enhanced data integrity solutions to mitigate SEU. We demonstrate our solutions on an SoM embodying the Xilinx Zync UntraScale+ FPGA, 32GB eMMC, 5 DDR4 memories, and a 32MB QSPI flash. Collectively, on the basis of the (performance × cost) figure-of-merit, our radiation-tolerant SoM is several magnitudes higher than present-art solutions.

Development Of A Cubesat-Sized Hybrid Chemical Propulsion System For In-Orbit Demonstration, Sheila Langa, Ryosuke Kawabata, Izumi Chimoto, Yasuhiro Fukumoto, Taejun Son, Gonzalo Campos, Shota Hirai, Landon Kamps

Small Satellite Conference

Letara Ltd. is a company based in Hokkaido, Japan, specializing in in-space hybrid chemical propulsion systems. Letara has been actively researching CubeSat-sized hybrid chemical thrusters with a focus on fuel optimization and improved scalability for small satellite applications.

The first project is based on a 2U-sized thruster with the aim to demonstrate a safe, sustainable, and scalable miniaturized hybrid propulsion system in orbit. The technology demonstration is scheduled for 2026.

An Updated Architecture For A Modular And Scalable Edge Computing System For Small Spacecraft, Kelly Williams, Michael Pham, Zachary Gaines, Alex Mariano, Janelle Tran, John Pollak, Luca Lanzillotta, Phylis Nelson

Small Satellite Conference

SCALES (Spacecraft Compartmentalized Autonomous Learning and Edge-computing System) is a novel hardware/software system for the enhancement of machine learning onboard small spacecraft. Through the first year of development under the NASA University SmallSat Technology Partnerships (USTP) program the team has been able to design and develop the first prototype of the system.

SCALES combines the use of commercial off-the-shelf hardware and the open-source F’ software framework developed by JPL. The system is aimed at coupling radiation tolerant flight computer with the capability of high-performance edge computers. The radiation tolerant flight computer is responsible for the operation of the spacecraft and …

A Dynamic Wireless Channel Emulator For Realistic Cubesat Testing, David Michelson, Eisha Khan, Max Xiang, Yun Xing, Ada Li, Ryan Manak

Small Satellite Conference

Failure of the communication subsystem has been responsible for approximately 20% of small satellite mission failures over the period between 2000 and 2019. Insufficient system-level integration and testing has been cited as one reason why corrective actions weren’t taken before launch to prevent such failures. Here, we introduce a relatively inexpensive GTEM-cell-based dynamic channel emulator that will permit designers of CubeSats operating at frequencies up to 20 GHz to evaluate their spacecraft’s communications over multiple simulated passes with the spacecraft in as close to over-the-air flight condition as possible, including fully deployed antennas. Using this over-the-air channel emulator allows the …

Mosaic - A Modular Orbital Satellite For Advanced Innovation And Curriculum, Evan Jellison

Small Satellite Conference

This paper presents MOSAIC (Modular Orbital Satellite for Advanced Innovation and Curriculum), an open-source, modular satellite platform designed to advance space technology education and to accelerate satellite mission design. MOSAIC is a demonstrator satellite, or “mocksat” that leverages commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components and a modular hardware ecosystem to make satellite technology accessible, affordable, and adaptable for educational institutions and research teams. This work details the technical architecture of MOSAIC, its potential educational benefits, cost analysis, and open-source philosophy, demonstrating its goals to democratize access to satellite engineering and foster the next generation of space professionals.

The Remote Capability-Auctioning Planner (Recap): A Decentralized Multi-Agent Control System Using Classical Planning, Behavior Trees, And Remote Task Auctions, Connor Firth, Miles Bengtson, Lorin Achey, Alex Barrie

Small Satellite Conference

Poster presented during the 2025 SmallSat Conference.

Towards Increased Adoption Of Direct To Earth Optical Communications, Simon Fowler, Owain Pryce-Jones, Simran Mardhani, Edem Fiamanya, Alessandro Tringali

Small Satellite Conference

Poster presented during the 2025 SmallSat Conference.

Nexosim, An Open-Source, Rust-Based Digital Twinning Framework For Hardware-In-The-Loop Testing And Virtual Flatsats, Serge Barral, Adam Chikha, Maciej Główka, Jakub Gramatyka, Illia Manzelha, Stanisław Massalski, Jaŭhien Piatlicki

Small Satellite Conference

Digital twinning has become a cornerstone of modern space systems, enabling robust in-orbit operations and ground verification and validation. For over two decades, major spacecraft manufacturers and space agencies have relied on Discrete Event Simulation (DES) to achieve these goals. The C++-based Simulation Modelling Platform (SMP), now an ECSS standard, has emerged as a unifying framework for these efforts. Despite the tremendous benefits of simulation-assisted spacecraft development, the complexity, rigidity, and lack of vendor-neutral implementations of SMP have limited its adoption in academia and the NewSpace sector. This gap is particularly concerning given the high failure rate of SmallSat missions, …

Compact Satellites For Big Insights: Mission Analysis Of A 16u Cubesat For High-Resolution Earth Observation, Abdelmadjid Lassakeur, Kamel Djamel Eddine Kerrouche, Imène Taleb, Abdelhak Benikhlef, Mohammed Amine Meghabber

Small Satellite Conference

The demand for high-resolution Earth observation data has been growing rapidly, driven by applications in environmental monitoring, disaster response, urban planning, and defense. Governments, research institutions, and private companies increasingly rely on detailed satellite imagery to make informed decisions. However, traditional Earth observation satellites are often expensive and require long development timelines, creating a need for more compact and cost-effective solutions. Recent advancements in CubeSat technology, particularly in high-performance Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS), have significantly expanded the capabilities of nanosatellites. These improvements have made it possible for smaller satellites to achieve imaging performance once limited to larger spacecraft. …

Real-Time Space Weather Event Detection And Attribution Using Fpga-Based Machine Learning On Cubesats, Benjamin Lewis, Shawn Jones, Jonathan Phillips, Charles Swenson, Kade Howes

Small Satellite Conference

Utah State University has been developing hardware accelerators and machine learning algorithms for real-time detection and attribution of space weather events on small satellites. This research, funded under the Low-power Array for CubeSat Edge Computing Architecture, Algorithms, and Applications (LACE-C3A), is a NASA STMD-funded effort as part of the University Smallsat Technology Partnerships (USTP). In this paper, we present an FPGA implementation of an AI/ML algorithm for intelligent decision-making, enabling real-time space weather monitoring and now-casting of Equatorial Plasma Bubbles (EPBs). EPBs are low-density plasma structures that form at low latitudes within the Earth’s ionosphere, rising along magnetic field lines …

Near Real-Time Optimal Trajectory Design For Active Debris Removal With Verification And Validation Using Kompsat-1, Shawn Choi, Taeyeon Choe, Peter Ryu, Hyeongjun Park, Douglas Deok-Soo Kim

Small Satellite Conference

Geospace is getting busier with an increasing amount of debris, and their removal of such debris is becoming important for the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of geospace. The need for safe and sustainable removal has drawn significant attention to Active Debris Removal (ADR). When a chaser performs a fly-around maneuver to approach a target, it should solve the following optimization problem (OPT): (i) Minimize collision risk against other flying space objects, (ii) minimize fuel consumption, and (iii) maximize mission accomplishment. However, solving OPT is known to be very challenging, as it is at least NP-hard. This is because the trajectories …

A Radio Payload For In-Space Sub-Terahertz Communications, Andrew Benincasa, Sergi Aliaga, Albert Diez-Comas, Josep Miquel Jornet

Small Satellite Conference

This paper presents the first fully integrated design of a CubeSat-compatible sub-terahertz (sub-THz) radio payload for in-space communications at 225 GHz. Addressing the growing congestion in traditional RF bands and the limitations of Free Space Optical systems, the proposed system leverages recent breakthroughs in compact high-frequency front-ends, horn antenna arrays, and RFSoC-based digital processing to unlock multi-GHz bandwidths in the underutilized sub-THz spectrum. A detailed feasibility study confirms link closure from low Earth orbit using state-of-the-art components, and the payload’s architecture is engineered for real-time high-speed uplink/downlink under stringent CubeSat size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints. The proposed payload will …

4096-Element Ka-Band Deployable Active Phased Array Transceivers In A 6u Cubesat, Hiroki Hayashi, Delburg Mitchao, Yasuto Narukiyo, Sena Kato, Keito Yuasa, Jill Mayeda, Hiraku Sakamoto, Kenichi Okada, Atsushi Shirane

Small Satellite Conference

This paper proposes a 4096-element deployable phased-array transceiver for LEO constellations, operating in the Ka-band frequency range. The system is designed for a 6U satellite platform, with the deployable membrane stored within a 2U volume and deploying to form a 670 mm × 670 mm aperture. The antenna features a central active area of 360 mm × 360 mm, with additional regions allocated for heat dissipation. A 7-layer rigid-flex printed circuit board (PCB) is used in the fabrication for the antenna array. A 256-element phased-array antenna was successfully fabricated on this rigid-flex PCB and demonstrates the feasibility of scaling up, …

Enhanced Smallsat Agility Via Cmg-Controlled Bus, Bryan Rogler, Forest Rulison, Terry Carl, Kearney Lackas, Matt Carton

Small Satellite Conference

As the small satellite industry continues to grow, mission teams continue to look for opportunities to maximize data collection and thus revenue per spacecraft. Many satellites in this class rely on well-understood traditional reaction wheel technology to provide precise pointing and re-orientation capabilities. Control Moment Gyroscopes (CMGs) offer a quantum leap in re-orientation performance as compared to reaction wheels (RW) but are typically utilized on much larger and more complex spacecraft outside the classification of small satellites. While Blue Canyon Technologies’ (BCT) RW-based spacecraft continue to provide high performing on-orbit pointing performance, BCT spacecraft actuated with a cluster of CMGs …

Optical Observation Of Mola Cubesat In Orbit Using Ground Telescope, Jeffrey Larsen, Christine Maceo, Isabella Fernald, Matthew M. Knight, Jim Kang, Michael Sanders, Alex Savattone, Giovanni Minelli, Wenschel Lan

Small Satellite Conference

The proliferation of satellites and satellite constellations in orbit, combined with the rapid expansion of telecommunications and wireless “smart” devices on Earth, has led to congestion in the radio frequency spectrum, adversely affecting data transmission and security. Although technological advances in small satellite technology and new commercial models for rocket launches have lowered the barrier for accessing space, the licensing process to use radio frequencies for satellite communications remains an obstacle. Free Space Optical Communication (FSOC) using the near-infrared and visible parts of the unlicensed optical spectrum offers higher bandwidth, faster data rates, and improved security (near-IR). In 2024, the …

Implementing Age-Appropriate, School-Based Comprehensive Sexuality Education, Emira Romero

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Background: Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education is a critical component of early health literacy and health promotion. Yet, there are no federal education requirements for sexuality education in the United States, leading to inconsistent and inadequate instruction.

Methods: In an effort to better understand the barriers beyond policy variability that affect successful implementation of SRH education, a literature search was conducted on CINAHL and ERIC with the following search terms and Boolean operators: (sex* education OR reproductive educat*) AND (elementary school OR school based) AND (United States OR California). The years of publication were limited to the past five …

Effect Of Whole-Food Plant-Based Diet On Ldl Cholesterol: A Scoping Literature Review, Joel Gregory Mueller

Nursing Capstones

Background: The whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) diet includes whole grains, whole plants, unrefined sugars, beans, and legumes. The diet excludes meat, dairy, and added fats. The diet has been popularized by documentaries .The diet claims to lower total and LDL cholesterol to a safe level as both a primary and secondary mode of prevention.

Purpose: Review existing studies to see whether the WFPB diet will lower LDL cholesterol in adult males over a 14 day or more duration.

Methods: A scoping literature review was completed of the University of North Dakota’s library system for keyword combinations. The returned 102 studies were …

Campus Dialogue Guidebook 2025, Chloe Cairncross, Christopher P. Davey, Charles Guenther, James Kang, Bryce Lambright, Layla Modlin, Wai Wai Nu, Frank Okyere Osei, Diane Tayong, Leah Wardlaw

Monographs and Open Access Books

This guidebook's purpose is to understand and address the potential of dialogue for our Binghamton campus community. It shares the background of dialogue on campus, describes case studies of dialogue work on campus, offers “things to do,” and finally suggests some ways of measuring effective dialogue. This guidebook is written primarily by students, and for students to use. Students at Binghamton University are our primary audience. The principles in this guidebook may be applicable across other campuses in similar environments. This guidebook is put together in a way that shows what kind of dialogue has been happening and not happening, …

Assessing The Impact Of Structural And Interpersonal Gendered Racism On Sexual And Reproductive Healthcare Among U.S. Women Of Color, Kimberly Muellers

ETD Collection

No abstract provided.

Dating During Covid-19 For Immunocompromised And Non-Immunocompromised Individuals: The Impact Of Physical Health Status On Precautionary Dating Behaviors, Julia Baer

ETD Collection

No abstract provided.

Virtual Village: The Relationship Between Social Media Use And Parental Self-Efficacy In The Orthodox Jewish Community, Ephrem Wagner

ETD Collection

No abstract provided.

Embodied Multisensory Gastronomic Experience And Sustainable Destination Appeal: A Grounded Theory Approach, Qicheng Pan, Qingchuo Zhang, Junjun Tian, Jinhua Zhang, Qian Chen

Plymouth Business School

The shift toward experience-oriented travel has positioned food as a central driver forattracting visitors to sustainable destinations, directly supporting United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)11 (resilient cities) and SDG 12 (responsible consumption).While prior research has predominantly emphasised marketing outcomes, the role of bodily experiences in shaping gastronomic tourism has received less attention. This studyexplores how sensory elements (sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch) and non-sensoryelements (including cultural meaning and service quality) jointly influence food-relatedtravel experiences. Twenty-five self-identified food travellers were interviewed in a UnitedNations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) City of Gastronomy,and their narratives were analysed using a three-stage …

The Experiences Of Middle School Students In A Career And Character-Focused Curriculum: A Phenomenological Study, Don J. Hoover

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

THE EXPERIENCES OF MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS IN A CAREER

AND CHARACTER-FOCUSED CURRICULUM:

A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY

Don Jason Hoover

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of former middle school students who participated in a two-year character development, career readiness, and leadership program implemented in a public junior high school. Guided by Bandura’s social learning theory, the study focused on how students experienced and internalized the program’s components, which included leadership training, social learning activities, and college and career readiness preparation. The research was conducted using semistructured interviews with 10 participants who had completed the …

Azer Scientific Llc V. Quidel Corp

2025 Decisions

USDC for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Two Faculty Join Plaster College Of Business And Entrepreneurship, Lindenwood University

Archived Lindenwood Press Releases

No abstract provided.

Quality Improvement Project Integrating Educational Program For School Faculty In Childhood Diabetes, Sharon Anna-Marie Hill

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

In the United States, diabetes affects approximately 38.4 million individuals, including over 304,000 children and adolescents diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. As the most common chronic condition in children, diabetes management in school settings is critical to ensure health, safety, and academic success. However, a lack of standardized training for school faculty often results in inadequate knowledge and confidence in managing diabetes, exacerbating student health risks. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement (QI) project aimed to develop and implement an educational program for school faculty, focusing on managing and treating childhood diabetes. A paired sample t-test was used …

Quality Improvement Project Integrating Clinical Decision-Making Tools Within An Ehr System For Provider-Enhanced Diagnosis And Treatment Of Depression In Primary Care, Theresa Ojoye

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The inconsistent management of depression in primary care settings persists despite numerous available treatments, which current behavioral health literature frequently addresses.  A review of the project site highlighted the inconsistency in diagnosing and managing depression due to varying levels of provider familiarity with current guidelines and a lack of integrated decision-support tools within the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. This project aims to evaluate the impact of integrating a clinical decision-making tool and patient outcomes in managing depression. This Quality Improvement (QI) project implemented UpToDate as an evidence-based clinical resource within the EHR system to address inconsistent application of evidence-based …

Assessment Of Faculty Perception Of Flipped Classroom Pedagogy, Jincymol Thomas

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This DNP project assesses the faculty's perception of the flipped classroom (FC) pedagogy, which is an evidence-based teaching strategy to promote active learning and student success. The purpose of this project is to assess faculty members’ perception of implementing FC. The problem identified is the low progression and graduation rates for associate degree nursing (ADN) students at a North Central Texas Community College. This indicates that current teaching strategies need to be revised. As healthcare is constantly evolving and becoming more complex, the traditional methods of teaching nursing students are no longer sufficient. This QI project is aiming to educate …

Dnp Project: Research Study Using Mindfulness Meditation For Stress Reduction In Undergraduate Nursing Students, Jennifer Williams

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Undergraduate nursing students often experience high stress from academic rigor, clinical demands, and personal challenges, contributing to mental health concerns and increased attrition. Unmanaged stress, when met with insufficient coping strategies, may contribute to students failing, leaving, or withdrawing from a nursing program. This research project addressed the need for a structured coping strategy within the curriculum at a State College to promote student resilience and reduce stress. As a quality improvement process change, the project’s purpose was to evaluate the impact of a four-week mindfulness meditation (MM) intervention on perceived stress levels of first-semester Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) …