Skip to content
Satellite Research Group
← All projects

SRG / Project

Destination Dirt

SRG’s first telemetry-returning CubeSat demonstrator in a 3U form factor.

Integration is largely complete.

High-altitude flight demonstrator

Destination Dirt frame with the avionics stack, wiring and antennas installed during testing.
Project type
FLIGHT PROJECT
Status
INTEGRATION

Overview

Destination Dirt combines a custom SRG-designed frame, COTS AMSAT avionics, and a custom SRG ground station.

The demonstrator will fly aboard an Iowa State high-altitude balloon in partnership with HABET, rather than entering orbit.

Red and orange frame prototype with rails and an internal mounting section on a work surface.
Early frame prototyping and assembly.
Black printed frame rails and mounting components laid out before assembly.
Custom frame components before assembly.
Assembled black Destination Dirt frame with open sides and visible internal mounting features.
Assembled frame before exterior panels.
Hand-held AMSAT avionics stack with connected antennas and illuminated indicators.
COTS AMSAT avionics used in the demonstrator.
Three team members outdoors beside ground-station equipment during testing.
Ground-station testing with the team.

Frame model review

A short view of the frame CAD model during structural-analysis review—not a qualification result.
Download video

Related subteams

  • Ground Station

    Persistent SRG ground infrastructure that also supports Destination Dirt.

Program partners

  • HABET

    Iowa State high-altitude balloon program partner for Destination Dirt.