COMPLEX SYSTEM DESIGN EXPOSURE THROUGH A SATELLITE DESIGN COMPETITION

It is very difficult to teach complex system design within a classroom setting constrained by the number of students, available class time, and type of project feasible within a university course. Therefore, the University of Manitoba is utilizing the Canadian Satellite Design Challenge as an extension of the classroom where students can get exposed to complex systems through the design, implementation, and testing of a triple pico- satellite (T-Sat). In this process, the students are exposed not only to many technical challenges, but also to project management that make up the complex project. The team consists of more than 100 undergraduate and graduate students as well as over 50 advisors with various backgrounds. This paper describes the elements of complex system design experienced throughout the first 18 months of the T-Sat project.