About Our Enterprise

The Aerospace Enterprise at Michigan Technological University is part of the renowned Michigan Tech Enterprise Program, offering an innovative alternative to traditional senior design projects. Since its founding in 2001, the Aerospace Enterprise has prepared hundreds of students for careers in the aerospace industry through hands-on experience in CubeSat design, development, and systems integration.

Students from a wide range of disciplines—Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, and Software Engineering, along with related majors—collaborate to design, build, and launch real spacecraft. The Enterprise provides an unparalleled opportunity to earn degree credit while gaining practical aerospace engineering skills, leadership experience, and exposure to real-world satellite missions.

Join the Michigan Tech Aerospace Enterprise and take your first step toward a career in space systems engineering and satellite technology.

Students Gain Experience In:

  • Research & Development

    • Mission Architecture Design
    • Mission Science R&D
    • Orbital Mechanics Research
    • Risk Analysis & Mitigation
    • Data Science & Analysis
    • System Requirements & Budgets

  • Hardware Engineering

    • Electronics & PCB Design
    • Thermal Solutions Design
    • Structural Design
    • System-level Design & Integration
    • Hardware Testing & Verification
    • Writing Technical Documentation

  • Software Engineering

    • Embedded Systems Programming
    • Custom Driver Development
    • Mission Operation Software
    • User Interface Design
    • Database Design & Development
    • Website Design & Development

  • Modeling & Simulation

    • FEMAP Nastran FEA
    • SolidWorks Modeling
    • Thermal Desktop Analysis
    • MATLAB/Simulink Control Design
    • GNURadio SDR Design
    • STK Orbital Simulations

  • Fabrication & Assembly

    • Clean Room Operations
    • Satellite Parts Machining
    • Structural Assembly & Verification
    • Avionics Assembly & Testing
    • Wire Harness Design & Assembly
    • Support Equipment Integration

  • Business & Leadership

    • Presentations & Reviews
    • Leading a Team
    • Financial Management
    • Vendor Communications
    • Schedule Management
    • Outreach and Marketing

  • Location

    The Aerospace Enterprise operates within Michigan Tech’s Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, located in the R.L. Smith (MEEM) Building. Our facilities include two dedicated laboratories: an ISO Class 8 cleanroom on the first floor for CubeSat assembly and satellite integration, and a fabrication lab in the basement equipped for component manufacturing, testing, and prototyping. Together, these spaces provide students with a professional environment to design, build, and test real spacecraft hardware..

  • Contact Us

    Our enterprise can be contacted through email at aerospace@mtu.edu for any request, business offers, or general inquiry.  We also offer an contact form directly on the website, visit our Contact Us page! Are you an interested student looking to apply? Go directly to our application here!

Aerospace Enterprise MTU Campus Location: R.L. Smith Building