The CubeSat Launch Initiative is a competition that encourages educational institutions and non-profits to develop low-cost nanosatellites, that advance NASA strategic goals and objectives, selected as auxiliary payloads on scheduled launches that have available space.

Most CubeSats are built by universities, but occasionally a primary or secondary school nanosatellite is selected. This resolution recognizes the Weiss School, a prekindergarten through 8th grade school in Palm Beach Gardens. The students at the Weiss School designed the “WeissSat-1” that was selected by NASA in 2017 to be launched as an auxiliary payload in 2019.

During development of their nanosatellite, the Weiss School discovered limiting factors to broader participation in the CubeSat Launch Initiative. The Weiss School debate team worked with NASA to identify that awareness of the CubeSat Launch Initiative is the major limiting factor of the program. Also, the future of the program is uncertain as NASA’s Office of Education is restructuring.

The Weiss School debate team wrote this resolution and asked that Congress support their effort to raise awareness and prioritize continuation of the CubeSat Launch Initiative. I was proud to introduce the resolution on their behalf.

Read the resolution: