Pleiades Orpheus CubeSat Development and Launch

This technical report details the development and launch of the Pleiades Orpheus CubeSat by students from Irvington High School, part of the Girls-in-STEM Club. Established in 2022, the project aimed to increase gender diversity in engineering through hands-on satellite development. The report outlines the team's objectives, including making engineering accessible and addressing light pollution through scientific innovation. It describes the mentorship received from various university programs and the structured, student-led workflow implemented during the 24-month build cycle. Key methodologies, such as dual-protocol file transfer systems and image processing techniques, are discussed, highlighting the technical challenges faced and solutions developed. The Pleiades Orpheus successfully launched on December 21, 2024, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, marking a significant milestone in high school education and CubeSat development. The report concludes with future plans for the initiative, emphasizing its role in fostering interest in aerospace engineering among young women.