At a glance, one might not immediately notice the changes at 1311 Research Drive in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center. High up on the rooftop, however, there has been a flurry of activity as assembly and installation of new space science instrumentation is underway.
This strategic investment in technology will better position Virginia Tech to participate in high-profile small satellite missions and increase research opportunities in space science and technology, as well as space traffic management.
The $305,000 investment in three different subsystems was born out of multidisciplinary collaboration among the Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering, the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the Hume Center for National Security and Technology, and the Center for Space Science and Engineering (commonly known as Space@VT).
“The acquisition of the new rooftop instrumentation is a reflection of Virginia Tech’s commitment to bolstering research in the realm of space science engineering,” said Eric Paterson, department head for the Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering and interim director of the Hume Center for National Security and Technology. “This investment serves to enhance Virginia Tech’s space science capabilities and elevate numerous ongoing research and educational projects.”
Among the new technology subsystems installed on the roof of the research building, known as RB1311 and home to the Hume Center, is a telescope dome, an S-Band dish antenna and nonpenetrating roof mount, a weatherproof rack mount electronics enclosure, and six terrestrial antenna mounts.