The Optical Reference Calibration Satellite (ORCASat) is a 2U CubeSat (a satellite 227 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm), that is designed and built in-house by students at the University of Victoria (UVic) Centre for Aerospace Research. ORCASat also had major contributions from volunteers at UVic Satellite Design, UBC Orbit, and SFU Sat student engineering teams. ORCASat is British Columbia’s submission to the Canadian CubeSat Project (CCP). This is the first student-built CubeSat in BC to be launched into space! The ORCASat mission has two primary objectives:

1.) Train Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) in space science and technology by providing an unrivaled, hands-on learning experience for undergraduate and graduate students. 

2.) Demonstrate new technologies for calibrating Earth-based telescopes by providing a reference light source in orbit.

Since its deployment on December 29, 2022, ORCASat is in LEO (Low Earth Orbit) orbit. On the same day, the first contact has been made with the spacecraft, which is now being operated by the team.

Alexander Doknjas has four years of experience in small satellite design as the Optical Reference Calibration Satellite (ORCASat) Project Manager at University of Victoria Centre for Aerospace Research (UVic CfAR). Alexander led a team of students and full-time researchers to develop British Columbia's first academic satellite. He has technical experience in small satellite power systems by developing, testing, and manufacturing the power electronics, battery pack, and solar array for the ORCASat satellite. Alexander developed a new battery pack for space flight with improved recharge efficiency at below freezing temperatures. The time spent outside managing the ORCASat project and designing electronics, Alexander developed the required CubeSat manufacturing, assembly, and testing facilities/processes at UVic CfAR. Alexander has a BEng in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Victoria.

Levente Buzas holds an MASc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Victoria. His professional experiences are concerned with building, operating, and licensing small satellite ground stations and communication systems. During and after his university studies, he has participated in the Optical Reference Calibration Satellite (ORCASa) project as the lead of the telemetry, tracking & command and regulatory compliance project areas. Levente is now the Project Manager for the SkyaanaSat project with the University of Victoria Centre for Aerospace Research, leading a team of students and full time researchers designing UVic's next CubeSat under the Canadian Space Agency’s CUBICS program. Levente is also a life long amateur radio enthusiast, and an active member of the amateur radio community.