NUSAT 1 (Northern Utah Satellite) was the first student-organized satellite project. It was built by students at several Utah universities and flew on the Space Shuttle in 1985. The satellite measured patterns of air traffic control radars worldwide and opereated for about eight months.
This artifact is an engineering model used to test the strength of the spacecraft structure as part of the design and development process. Weber State College, one of the universities participating in the project, donated it to the Museum in 1987.
This object is on display in James S. McDonnell Space Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.