REVIVING
By Chris Yoo and Robert Stotz
TJ REVERB
Six years ago, Jefferson’s Nanosat club initiated TJ REVERB with the goal of constructing a radio satellite for NASA. Now, after several delays and a global pandemic, they’re running out of time.
Project Manager Nikil Kalidasu and junior Nicolas Makovnik review the launching details of the satellite. After a shaky transition of progress, the club works to fill the holes remaining in order to make their deadline. “A lot of the work has been done already. We were basically given a functional satellite, now we have to learn how to use it. We’re currently writing our main control software to work with the hardware that they have given us,” Kalidasu said. PHOTO // Robert Stotz
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club losing their senior class at the end of the year can be a hindrance. A club losing almost every member who knows the logistics of a six year long project can be catastrophic. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Jefferson’s Nanosat club faced this unfortunate reality as the Class of 2021 graduated during the pandemic, leaving the remaining members with limited experience to pick up after them. The project in question is
TJ REVERB, where the club constructs and eventually launches a fully fledged satellite for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Senior and Project Manager Nikhil Kalidasu has been on the frontline of this transition of leadership. “[The 2021 seniors] did their best to continue to work on the satellite itself and to transfer their knowledge, but because of COVID-19, weren’t able to see each other,” Kalidasu said.
“I wouldn’t put the blame on the seniors themselves. I think they tried their very best. I personally think that it was the pandemic’s fault for setting us back.” With consistant in person eighth periods, the team works to balance their efforts between finishing the satellite, and educating newer members. Knowing first hand how disjointed leadership can influence the club, they hope to learn from their experiences.
