Created By Educators
BLUECUBE Aerospace seeks to Build, Launch, Utilize, and Educate using CubeSat technology with student teams, middle school and high school ages. BLUECUBE Aerospace engages students, teachers and makers through its CubeSat emulator kits, camps, and workshops.
Just as scientific research reflects a new era of multidisciplinary studies, so should the preparation of students reflect crosscutting experiences, knowledge and critical thinking skills through the establishment of a national network of geographically represented instructional nodes.
BLUECUBE Aerospace works with educators and students to experience authentic science, conduct relevant research, and acquire marketable skills for the 21st Century workforce. Research shows that students are better engaged by hands-on instruction and learn through experience. Project-based learning and systems engineering allow students to apply the scientific and engineering methods to real-world problem-solving.
Leadership Team
Kevin L. Simmons
Creator of the Wolfpack CubeSat Dev Team, BLUECUBE Aerospace and
Co-creator of Aerospace and Innovation Academy
Kevin L. Simmons is a professional educator, principal investigator and Congressional advocate with a professional focus at the intersection of authentic aerospace and equity in education. He founded BLUECUBE Aerospace, Inc., and the Wolfpack CubeSat Development team (WCDT), and co-created the Aerospace and Innovation Academy, Inc. (AIA) and successful SmallSat Education Conference. Simmons and his 11-18 year old Wolfpack students have launched 3 spacecraft to date, and was the first middle school aged team selected by NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative in 2017, and again in 2019. He is Principal Investigator for the WeissSat-1 (2018), CapSat-1 (2022), and WolfSat-1 (2025) missions. WolfSat-1 was selected by Firefly Aerospace's DREAM 2.0 program for flight in 2025, Simmons is Co-I for the WCDT's first hosted payload, FlipSat-1 (2024). He is trained as a biochemist, and has worked in industry, military and academia. Simmons completed two years as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow and four years as a senior policy analyst in the National Science Foundation’s Engineering Directorate.
He serves in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) as the Region II Deputy Director for Public Policy and a member of both the AIAA SmallSat and Education Technical Committees. Simmons is the past president of the Florida Association for the Gifted, and a current Area Director for the Florida Association of Science Teachers. He is a member of the inaugural Limitless Space Institute Educator Fellowship, a 2023 NASA HEAT Physics Ambassador, a Space Foundation Teacher Liaison, and an ISS Educator Ambassador. His recent national awards include the Christa McAuliffe Space Educator Award, National Space Council Space Worker Hall of Fame, AIAA Foundation Educator Achievement Award, and the Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University with Biochemistry and Chemistry degrees and an American Military University graduate with a Master's degree in Space Studies - Aerospace Science. A recipient of the Dwyer Award for Excellence in STEM Education, he is a professional educator with a gifted endorsement and licensed to teach Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Earth/Space Science and 6th-12th Mathematics.
Shawna L. Christenson
Co-creator of Aerospace and Innovation Academy
Founder of the Aerospace Public Policy Institute
Shawna L. Christenson is a graduate of the University of Central Florida (BS, Secondary English Education) and Florida Atlantic University (MS, Curriculum & Instruction). She is a Florida certified English teacher (grades 6-12) and holds endorsements in Gifted, Reading, and ESOL. Ms. Christenson has been teaching for twenty-three years in Palm Beach and Martin Counties with a focus on English, Public Speaking, and Debate. She is a Space Foundation Teacher Liaison, the K-12 STEM education liaison for the Palm Beach section of The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, an officer in the Palm Beach Middle School Forensic League, and is a nationally recognized Diamond Debate coach, earning the distinction of National Speech and Debate Association Middle School Coach of the Year in 2020.
Ms. Christenson believes in helping students become confident communicators who can share their passions outside the classroom through participating in legislative blitzes, writing technical papers, presenting at conferences, and working closely with legislators not only to talk about policy but to create it. With the help of her students, Ms. Christenson worked with State Representative Brian Mast on two resolutions to increase awareness of the CubeSat Launch Initiative and CubeSats in education. From this passion, the Aerospace Public Policy Institute was developed in order to help other students, teachers, and schools to communicate, educate, advocate and legislate for their own interests. In addition to presenting at the Florida Association for the Gifted twice, she has presented technical papers on science identity formation in elementary students at numerous international conferences. She regularly works with students on their technical papers and PowerPoint presentations to make sure they are prepared. She is the "talkie" side of the "techies and talkies" that is offered as part of the Aerospace and Innovation Academy.
BLUECUBE Aerospace Mission
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Inspire middle school and high school students
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Equip educators to build, launch, utilize and educate with CubeSats
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Prepare the next generation
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Create a competitive diverse and technical 21st century American workforce
The idea for the BLUECUBE concept was conceived in
2010 by Kevin Simmons and John D. Moore after meeting at the National Science Foundation.
Both were 2009-2011 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellows, with Kevin serving in the Engineering Directorate and John in the Geosciences Directorate.
Later Simmons and Einstein Fellow Michael Piccone further developed the BLUECUBE model with Piccione prototyping the first BLUECUBE 1U CubeSat emulators.
With the emergence of the CubeSat (a nanosatellite class of spacecraft) as a dynamic, teaching tool, the opportunity now existed to inspire a new generation of STEM focused Americans.
To better provide real-world aerospace opportunities for students and educators, Simmons also created the 501(c)3 Wolfpack CubeSat Development Team, the Aerospace and Innovation Academy, and the SmallSat Education Conference.
Teamwork at BLUECUBE Aerospace
At BLUECUBE Aerospace, teamwork is the cornerstone of our success and innovation. We believe that groundbreaking achievements in space exploration and satellite technology are only possible through the collective efforts of a diverse and dynamic team. Our engineers, scientists, designers, and support staff work collaboratively to address the challenges of creating advanced CubeSat systems and delivering reliable solutions to meet our clients' needs. Each member of our team brings unique skills and perspectives to the table, allowing us to tackle problems from multiple angles and develop innovative solutions. We foster a culture of open communication, mutual respect, and shared responsibility, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. By leveraging individual strengths and combining them with a unified vision, we create a synergy that drives the success of our missions.
Our teamwork extends beyond our internal team to include partnerships with industries, research institutions, and clients around the world. Together, we strive for precision, safety, and efficiency in all our operations, recognizing that collaboration is key to pushing the boundaries of aerospace technology. At BLUECUBE Aerospace, teamwork is at the core of everything we do. Our diverse team of engineers, scientists, and innovators collaborates seamlessly to tackle the complex challenges of space exploration and satellite technology. By fostering open communication, leveraging individual strengths, and working towards a shared vision, we ensure precision, innovation, and excellence in every mission. Together, we push the boundaries of possibility, creating solutions that inspire progress and drive the future of aerospace.
WOLFPACK Cubesat Development Team
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Inspire middle school and high school students
-
Equip educators to build, launch, utilize and educate with CubeSats
-
Prepare the next generation
-
Create a competitive diverse and technical 21st century American workforce
The idea for the BLUECUBE concept was conceived in 2010 by Kevin Simmons and John D. Moore after meeting at the National Science Foundation.
Both were 2009-2011 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellows, with Kevin serving in the Engineering Directorate and John in the Geosciences Directorate.
Later Simmons and Einstein Fellow Michael Piccone further developed the BLUECUBE model with Piccione prototyping the first BLUECUBE 1U CubeSat emulators.
With the emergence of the CubeSat (a nanosatellite class of spacecraft) as a dynamic, teaching tool, the opportunity now existed to inspire a new generation of STEM focused Americans.
"This organization strictly prohibits discrimination against any individual based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, disability, age (40 or older), or genetic information, in accordance with all applicable federal laws; any form of discriminatory behaviorwill not be tolerated and will be subject to disciplinary action.
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