Quick Facts
Form Factor: 6U CubeSat
Destination: Low Earth Orbit
Mission Lifetime: 6 months
Developmental Stage: Prototype assembly, integration, & testing
Funding: AFRL University Nanosat Program (NS-11, 2022-24)
Launch Vehicle: Not currently manifested
Prospective Launch Timeline: NET 2029
Initially conceived for – and accepted into – the NS-11 cycle of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s University Nanosat Program, THEIA is a 6U CubeSat focused on maturing event-based imaging technologies for use in orbital applications. In addition to its mission objectives, THEIA aims to blaze a path for future UMD CubeSat missions.
THEIA’s custom scientific payload is being developed by the team, with guidance from UMD’s Perception and Robotics Group. Its bus is being integrated from commercial off-the-shelf components. If it achieves orbit, THEIA will be the first UMD CubeSat in space.
Mission Leadership
Noah Wigglesworth | Chief Engineer
Ben Hroblak | Project Manager
Dr. David Akin | Principal Investigator
Dr. Cornelia Fermüller | Payload Co-Investigator
John Wulff | Payload Lead
Ben Leazer | Avionics Lead
Mikolaj Kostrzewa | Software Lead
Pranav Srinivasan | Structures Lead
Leadership Alumni – Vince Olindo ’24 (Chief Engineer)