Difference between revisions of "Columbia Space Initiative"
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| − | The '''Columbia Space Initiative''' (CSI) is a student group dedicated to space projects on campus. CSI competes in NASA challenges, do outreach and provide members with networking in the space science field. It was founded in September 2015 (unsurprisingly) with the help of professor and former NASA astronaut [[Michael_Massimino|Mike Massimino]]. CSI has participated in three NASA challenges (Micro-g NExT, RASCAL and BIG), launched its own model rockets and balloons. CSI organizes many events across campus, including live call-ins with the International Space Station and talks with prominent people in the space domain such as former astronauts and NASA employees. | + | The '''Columbia Space Initiative''' (CSI) is a student group dedicated to space projects on campus and Columbia's largest engineering club. CSI competes in NASA challenges, do outreach and provide members with networking in the space science field. It was founded in September 2015 (unsurprisingly) with the help of professor and former NASA astronaut [[Michael_Massimino|Mike Massimino]]. CSI has participated in three NASA challenges (Micro-g NExT, RASCAL and BIG), launched its own model rockets and balloons. CSI organizes many events across campus, including live call-ins with the International Space Station and talks with prominent people in the space domain such as former astronauts and NASA employees. |
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| − | In 2025, CSI was | + | == Membership and Participation == |
| + | CSI is open to all current Columbia and Barnard students, with no application process required. The club encourages students to explore multiple missions and holds weekly general body meetings on Fridays at 4 PM in Mudd Building, Room 833. The annual "Liftoff Meeting" serves as an introduction for new members to learn about the various missions and opportunities within CSI. | ||
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| + | == Notable Missions and Achievements == | ||
| + | CubeSat: CSI's CubeSat team is developing LIONESS (Line Imaging Orbiter for Nanosatellite-Enabled Spectrographic Surveys), the first satellite designed by Columbia undergraduates to be launched into low Earth orbit. The mission aims to study diffuse gases in nearby galaxies using an integral field unit spectrograph. The project has received funding through NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative, with a planned launch in 2027. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === AQUAS === | ||
| + | Launched in 2023, the AQUAS mission focuses on creating an autonomous, unmanned sampling vehicle to monitor and treat algal blooms in New York City's Morningside Park. Collaborating with the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and NYC Parks, the project aims to improve local water quality through innovative environmental monitoring. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Micro-g NExT === | ||
| + | In 2024, CSI's Micro-g team developed the SEE LION, an autonomous camera and computer system designed to assist in unassisted egress scenarios from the Orion capsule. The device was tested at NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory in Houston, Texas, successfully identifying objects with high confidence. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Rocketry === | ||
| + | CSI's rocketry team designs, builds, and tests high-powered hybrid rockets. Notably, they achieved successful launches of a 30k 805 lbf rocket at the Spaceport America Cup and a 25k 1200 lbf rocket at the FAR-OUT event in June 2024. The team continually works to refine control systems and develop innovative scientific payloads for high-altitude flights. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === RASC-AL === | ||
| + | Participating in NASA's RASC-AL competition, CSI students design mission architectures to support human survival in lunar and Martian environments. The 2025 objective focuses on creating a mission concept aimed at reducing risks associated with human exploration on Mars, with the goal of fostering a permanent human presence. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Outreach and Community Engagement == | ||
| + | CSI's Outreach branch is dedicated to connecting with middle and high school students throughout New York City, focusing on increasing exposure to STEM concepts and careers. In partnership with the Sophie Gerson Healthy Youth Foundation, CSI volunteers conduct educational programs, including model rocket design and launches, reaching over 1,000 students in the previous academic year. Additionally, CSI hosts public events featuring astronauts and space industry leaders, often attracting over 200 attendees. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Awards and Recognition == | ||
| + | In 2025, CSI was honored with the Zvi Galil Award for Improvement in Engineering Student Life, recognizing its significant contributions to enhancing the student experience within Columbia's engineering community. | ||
| + | |||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
*[https://columbiaspace.org/ CSI website] | *[https://columbiaspace.org/ CSI website] | ||
Revision as of 00:29, 2 June 2025
The Columbia Space Initiative (CSI) is a student group dedicated to space projects on campus and Columbia's largest engineering club. CSI competes in NASA challenges, do outreach and provide members with networking in the space science field. It was founded in September 2015 (unsurprisingly) with the help of professor and former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino. CSI has participated in three NASA challenges (Micro-g NExT, RASCAL and BIG), launched its own model rockets and balloons. CSI organizes many events across campus, including live call-ins with the International Space Station and talks with prominent people in the space domain such as former astronauts and NASA employees.
Contents
Membership and Participation
CSI is open to all current Columbia and Barnard students, with no application process required. The club encourages students to explore multiple missions and holds weekly general body meetings on Fridays at 4 PM in Mudd Building, Room 833. The annual "Liftoff Meeting" serves as an introduction for new members to learn about the various missions and opportunities within CSI.
Notable Missions and Achievements
CubeSat: CSI's CubeSat team is developing LIONESS (Line Imaging Orbiter for Nanosatellite-Enabled Spectrographic Surveys), the first satellite designed by Columbia undergraduates to be launched into low Earth orbit. The mission aims to study diffuse gases in nearby galaxies using an integral field unit spectrograph. The project has received funding through NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative, with a planned launch in 2027.
AQUAS
Launched in 2023, the AQUAS mission focuses on creating an autonomous, unmanned sampling vehicle to monitor and treat algal blooms in New York City's Morningside Park. Collaborating with the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and NYC Parks, the project aims to improve local water quality through innovative environmental monitoring.
Micro-g NExT
In 2024, CSI's Micro-g team developed the SEE LION, an autonomous camera and computer system designed to assist in unassisted egress scenarios from the Orion capsule. The device was tested at NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory in Houston, Texas, successfully identifying objects with high confidence.
Rocketry
CSI's rocketry team designs, builds, and tests high-powered hybrid rockets. Notably, they achieved successful launches of a 30k 805 lbf rocket at the Spaceport America Cup and a 25k 1200 lbf rocket at the FAR-OUT event in June 2024. The team continually works to refine control systems and develop innovative scientific payloads for high-altitude flights.
RASC-AL
Participating in NASA's RASC-AL competition, CSI students design mission architectures to support human survival in lunar and Martian environments. The 2025 objective focuses on creating a mission concept aimed at reducing risks associated with human exploration on Mars, with the goal of fostering a permanent human presence.
Outreach and Community Engagement
CSI's Outreach branch is dedicated to connecting with middle and high school students throughout New York City, focusing on increasing exposure to STEM concepts and careers. In partnership with the Sophie Gerson Healthy Youth Foundation, CSI volunteers conduct educational programs, including model rocket design and launches, reaching over 1,000 students in the previous academic year. Additionally, CSI hosts public events featuring astronauts and space industry leaders, often attracting over 200 attendees.
Awards and Recognition
In 2025, CSI was honored with the Zvi Galil Award for Improvement in Engineering Student Life, recognizing its significant contributions to enhancing the student experience within Columbia's engineering community.
