Sonoma State University Students' CubeSat Successfully Launched Into Orbit Aboard SpaceX Rocket

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A team of Sonoma State University students, led by Professor Laura Peticolas, achieved a remarkable milestone on Friday as their miniature satellite, or CubeSat, was successfully launched into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The launch, which took place at 10:44 a. m. from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, marked the culmination of five years of hard work and dedication from the team, which included undergraduates from Howard University and the University of New Hampshire. The CubeSat, slightly larger than a half-gallon carton of milk, was one of 140 satellites deployed into orbit as part of the Transporter 15 mission.

The Falcon 9 rocket, a partially reusable vehicle designed to carry satellites and smaller spacecraft into orbit, performed flawlessly, blasting off from the launchpad after a series of postponements. As the rocket soared into the sky, Peticolas, who is associate director of Sonoma State's STEM learning center, watched anxiously via a Zoom call, crossing her fingers on both hands just 60 seconds before liftoff.

With the successful deployment of the CubeSat, she could finally uncross her fingers, beaming with pride.

At t-minus 60 seconds before liftoff Friday morning, Laura Peticolas could be seen on a Zoom call crossing her fingers on both hands.

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