Last summer Weber State University asked me to produce an hour long documentary on the history of their school. It's been a fun experience to look back through the University's 125 years and share stories of its greatest accomplishments.

One of those stories is the NUSAT1 Satellite which which was launched in April of 1985 aboard NASA's Challenger Space Shuttle. NUSAT1 was an experimental satellite designed to assist the Federal Aviation Administration in tracking aircraft. It was built at Weber State University by faculty, students and host of community volunteers over the course of two years.

The experience of working on NUSAT1 proved to be a once in a lifetime experience for the 45 students involved and would have long lasting effects on their careers. One student we interviewed, told us that at the time she was working on the satellite at Weber State she was 30, a single mom, living on welfare, and raising three young boys. When NUSAT1 was completed and before she had even graduated that spring, she had nine job offers.

Here are a few photos taken of the NUSAT1 Satellite's construction and launch 30 years ago. Below an image of John Boyer, who worked as an associate professor on the NUSAT1 project.