The Student Space Programs Laboratory: Fostering student space systems education and research within a university environment

In August of 2006, the Student Space Programs Laboratory (SSPL) was established at The Pennsylvania State University. The Lab emerged to cope with the challenges of increasing space mission scope and complexity; to formalize the processes and procedures of space systems engineering; to collaborate and share resources among projects; to connect better with University research; and to identify new opportunities for Penn State students to gain space-flight hardware development experience. In less than one year from its inception and building on past successes, the Lab has prospered in many ways that should serve to pave the way for increased student opportunities in the future.