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HomeWorkshop: Radio Astronomy & Satellites

Radio Astronomy & Satellites 2026
(Quicklink: https://nescitech.org/satellites)

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RADIO ASTRONOMY & SATELLITES - Applications for 2026 will be accepted after the orientation sessions this November 2025.

This is a new workshop under development. It will be taught by a Worcester PolyTech (WPI) student and several staff from NESciTech.  Students must maintain a NEST membership during the program in order to take the workshop for a one-time lab fee of $55. 

Please feel free to inquire with Bob if you are interested.

A specialized activity of NE SciTech's Space Science Club, specifically for students ages 11-17 who are members of NEST, we offer a program to teach students about radio astronomy, the electromagnetic spectrum, the atmosphere and ionosphere, satellites and how to track them, digital communications modes for space-based applications, and other topics in space science. Students work in teams to design and build a radio telescope using software-defined digital radio. After the project ends, they will evaluate their data and give a report at a conference in Marlborough in August. Students will be expected to achieve an FCC Amateur Radio License (beginner level) during this program.

This program is limited to 10 students. Students will be expected to work with others in teams.  Attending one of the info sessions is required for joining the Radio Astronomy & Satellites team.

2025-26 INFO-SESSIONS

You must attend one of these sessions for a CIS overview (allow 30 minutes):

Saturday, Oct 25, 10:00 AM, sign up here

Saturday, Nov 1, 10:00 AM, sign up here

Saturday, Nov 8, 10:00 AM, sign up here
 
Radio Astronomy & Satellites - Register here (not yet open)

ALSO: Student Permissions Form

Regular meetings are most Saturdays, 9:30-11:00 AM from mid-November through mid-May.

We ask that students as a team present their projects and findings at the HamXposition on August 15.


Before taking the class, students should have had experience in physics, electronics, or Arduinos, and have an Amateur Radio Technician license or be currently enrolled in an amateur radio course during the program.

2025-26 SATURDAY MEETINGS, 9:30-11:00 am (tentative)

Oct 25, Nov 1, Nov 8 – You must attend one required Info Session to participate.
Nov 15 – Meeting #1, TBD.
Nov 22 – Meeting #2, TBD.
Nov 29 – no meeting, Thanksgiving break
Dec 6 – Meeting #3, TBD.
Dec 13 – Meeting #4, TBD
Dec 20 – Meeting #5, TBD.
Dec 27 – no meeting, Holiday weekend
Jan 3 – Meeting #6, TBD.
Jan 10 – Meeting #7, TBD.
Jan 17 – no meeting, Winter break
Jan 24 – Meeting #8, TBD. 
Jan 31 – Meeting #9, TBD.
Feb 7 – Meeting #10, TBD.
Feb 14 – no meeting, Holiday weekend
Feb 21 – no meeting, School vacation week
Feb 28 – Meeting #11, TBD. 
Mar 7 – Meeting #12, TBD. 
Mar 14 – Meeting #13, TBD
Mar 21 – Meeting #14, TBD 
Mar 28 – Meeting #15, TBD 
Apr 4 – Meeting #16, TBD.

Apr 11 – Meeting #17, TBD. 
Apr 18 – no meeting, Holiday weekend
Apr 25 – no meeting, School vacation week
May 2 – Meeting #18, Final data analysis. Begin work on HamX powerpoint.
May 9 – Meeting #19, Work on HamX powerpoint.
May 16 – Meeting #20, Final required meeting. Prep for HamXposition.

May 23 – no meeting, Holiday weekend
May 30 – Optional #21, work on radio license and HamX presentations.
June 6 – Optional #22, work on radio license and HamX presentations.
June 13 – Optional #23, work on radio license and HamX presentations.
June 20 – no meeting, Juneteenth holiday weekend
June 27 – Optional #24, ARRL Radio Field Day, radio activities all day.
July 4 to Aug 15 – No meetings
Aug 15 – Northeast HamXposition, Youth Day. Presentations for Radio Astronomy & Satellites


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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

These dates are subject to change. On alternate and holiday weekend dates when the workshop does not meet, students are welcome to attend other clubs, such as rocketry, robotics, or battlin' bots, or to continue working on projects.

 

Because of traffic conditions and for your convenience, you are welcome to drop off and pick up for up to 30 minutes on each side of class time. Members may stay through the day during member open time.

 

If a class cannot meet in person because of severe weather, we may switch to online classes via Zoom.

 

*NOTE: Students must be a current member of New England Sci-Tech as a "Teen" or "Family" membership level. Having a club membership alone (radio or rocketry club) or supporting membership does not qualify a student for general NEST activities and programs like this.  Membership must run from at least November through April for class participation.

Please be aware of our Cancellation and Refund Policies. For questions, e-mail info@nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.


In addition to registering for this workshop, please fill out the Workshop Student Permissions Form.