Infrastructure
Our members have access to advanced space technology, fabrication, and research facilities. With S-class clean room space and work stations for spacecraft design and assembly, state-of-the-art testing capabilities, research and tracking technology, modern research labs, on-campus mission control center, and more, CSTAR’s facilities support our mission to bring together a wide range of Georgia Tech faculty who are active in space-related research, and to function as a focal point for the growth of the space industry in the state of Georgia.
![Image of a lab with tables and shelves](https://www.cstar.gatech.edu/files/2023/05/IMG_4991-cl9trm.jpg)
Space Systems Design Lab
The SSDL covers four floors of the Engineering Science and Mechanics building at Georgia Tech and includes space for mission design, fabrication, testing, and operations.
![Image of a telescope](https://www.cstar.gatech.edu/files/2023/05/4-2.png)
S-Band Satellite Ground Station
Georgia Tech offers post launch operations through its high gain S-band and UHF/VHF ground stations. The network has been used to command and control numerous spacecraft.
![Image of an antenna system](https://www.cstar.gatech.edu/files/2023/05/5-1.png)
Raven Telescope
The Space Object Research Telescope, a Raven-class space surveillance telescope (0.5m, f/8) capable of directly observing on-orbit space objects and validating algorithm performance.
![Image of a lab with tables and shelves](https://www.cstar.gatech.edu/files/2023/05/CSTAR-Facilities.png)
C-SHAFT
The Center for Space Hardware Assembly, Fabrication and Testing focuses on research, prototyping, & qualification of high-reliability micro-devices for deployment in outer space and includes the GTRI Baker Bldg. Cleanroom.
![Image of a telescope](https://www.cstar.gatech.edu/files/2023/05/3-2.png)
Spacecraft Assembly Clean Room
Facilities include a Class 100,000 clean room, ESD-safe workbenches, electrical test equipment, and soldering facilities, assembly and inspection stations, solder reflow oven, thermal vacuum chamber, anechoic RF chamber, and 20 ft^2 vibration shaker table.
![Image of an antenna system](https://www.cstar.gatech.edu/files/2023/05/2-4.png)
Dr. Gunter's CubeSat Lab
The lab s primarily used for CubeSat design, development, and testing. It includes software and electronics workstations, a clean room and state-of-the-art testing capabilities.
![Image of a lab with tables and shelves](https://www.cstar.gatech.edu/files/2023/05/1-4.png)
Dr. Lightsey's Spacecraft Tech Lab
Focused on spacecraft technology hardware design, prototyping, and testing, this lab has more than 1000 ft^2 of workspace, advanced workstations, and the latest testing capabilities.
![Image of a telescope](https://www.cstar.gatech.edu/files/2023/05/6-1.png)
Mission Operations Center
Space flight missions can be operated from the Mission Operations Center, a 540-square-foot facility in the Engineering Science & Mechanics building.
![Image of an antenna system](https://www.cstar.gatech.edu/files/2023/05/4-3.png)
Tracking Station
This 3m diameter, rotor-driven antenna system, mounted on the roof of the Montgomery Knight building, provides horizon-to-horizon command and data downlink capabilities for spacecraft.
![Image of a lab with tables and shelves](https://www.cstar.gatech.edu/files/2023/05/1-5.png)
Satellite Ground Station
The C-SHAFT network can track spacecraft and engage in reliable satellite communication, including both high gain S-band receive and transmit capability, and UHF/VHF uplink and downlink capability.
![Image of an antenna system](https://www.cstar.gatech.edu/files/2023/05/3-4.png)
Radio Frequency Anechoic Chamber
The anechoic chamber located at GTRI can be used to conduct EMI/EMC tests on spacecrafts. The facility is instrumented for the indoor testing of electrically small to medium-sized antennas.