Stanford Student Space Initiative

Stanford Student Space Initiative is a student-run organization based in Stanford, California. With over 100 members, it is Stanford's largest project-based student group, comprised of six project teams: Balloons, Rockets, Satellites, Biology, Operations, and Policy. Founded in 2013, the organization is dedicated to providing hands-on experience and insight to future leaders in the space industry. Stanford SSI offers a wide range of projects and initiatives. These include flying zero gravity experiments with NASA, building CubeSats, inspiring high altitude balloon launches in 20 countries, certifying students for high-powered rocketry, hosting speaker events and conferences, and developing novel technologies like ultra long duration latex balloon technology that has set a world record. The organization has achieved numerous milestones, including being featured in media outlets like Popular Science and USA Today, leading a student-initiated class (AA47SI, Why Go to Space), demonstrating bidirectional laser communication, and inspiring 60 teams in 20 countries to launch high altitude balloons. Looking ahead, Stanford SSI plans to launch a new biology team, fly a high-altitude balloon to Europe, build a small optical communications satellite, and send the first university-built rocket to space. For more information about Stanford Student Space Initiative, visit stanfordssi.org.