The Western Skylark

A 3U CubeSat for next-generation tracking of migratory wildlife using the Motus telemetry system. 

About Us: 

The Western Skylark CubeSat enhances wildlife tracking by collecting space-based data on migratory songbirds, waterbirds, and shorebirds. We provide hands-on training for students in CubeSat construction and operation. Our project contributes to a better understanding of animal movements and supports conservation efforts.

 The Skylark CubeSat project also promotes student involvement in the amateur radio astronomy community; Skylark will carry an AX.25 telemetry data beacon that can be received by other ameteur radio users. 

  • MOTUS is a student-developed amateur radio hardware, and our mission will demonstrate the effectiveness of MOTUS technology, extend the MOTUS network, and show the efficiency of a 3U CubeSat in collecting and relaying MOTUS data with speed and precision. 
  • Any students who are interested in learning more about amateur radio operation or obtaining their Amateur Radio Operator Certificate can contact the London Amateur Radio Club at https://larc.ca/.


Our Mission:
  • Training Objective: Empower undergraduate and graduate students with hands-on experience in space mission operations, CubeSat design, and construction.
  • Technical Objective: Demonstrate the effectiveness of a 3U CubeSat in efficiently collecting and relaying MOTUS data with speed and precision.
  • Scientific Objective: Gather groundbreaking data on migratory songbirds, waterbirds, and shorebirds through remote tracking stations, enhancing our understanding of their migration behavior.
  • Outreach Objective: Engage with local outreach groups incuding such as poster presentations, collaboration with London Amateur Radio Club, public talks at the Cronyn Observatory, a booth during the Western Science Rendezvous, teaching high school students about CubeSats at Western Engineering Summer Academy, and volunteering at the Girls in Aviation event.

 

Video:Skylark promotional video created by Western Space 

 Project Fact Sheet

 The-Western-Skylark-CubeSat_new.pdf