On-orbit experience and lessons learned in Canadian CubeSat project (CCP)

CCP was initiated in 2017 by the Canadian Space Agency. 15 CubeSat proposals submitted by Principal Investigators (PI) were selected and funded. The PI created students in the design, manufacture, test and operate of the CubeSat. CCP involved students from all Canadian provinces and territories. This paper discusses the strategies taken to support the students throughout the project. 14 out of 15 missions were eventually launched to ISS and released into orbit. The 15 missions consist a wide range of mission objectives. This paper highlights three of them which carry payloads in space radiation, space weathering and astronomy. The on-orbit experience of the CCP missions is discussed. Finally, key lessons extracted from CCP are highlighted.