STAC Fundraiser Fall 2026

Join us in sending UC Berkeley to space and beyond! By supporting STAC, you’re not just donating to a club—you’re investing in the future of space exploration and the next generation of space pioneers. 

Space Technologies at Cal (STAC) is a student-run engineering organization at the University of California, Berkeley, with a diverse group of 100+ highly motivated undergraduate and graduate students across many different majors focused on developing innovative space technologies and research. We are creating a collaborative student space platform, incorporating multiple research labs and industry partners, to enable a diverse portfolio of research projects such as:  

- TIME II (The Interstellar Microgravity Experiment), studying antibiotic resistance in microgravity 

- QubeSat: qualifying and testing a quantum gyroscope in low-Earth orbit 

- Biopharm: conducting space bioengineering research to support astronaut health

- Lunar Hopper: engineering a jumping robot for exploring lunar landscapes. 

As student researchers, scientists, and engineers, we aim to push the frontier of space innovation with each of our projects and provide valuable experience for our members. With QubeSat launching with the ISS this year and TIME II launching with USCRPL, STAC is eager to send UC Berkeley to space and beyond, so it is even more critical that we have the funds we need to get these projects off the ground.

In addition to innovating and working on cool projects, STAC is committed to energizing the UC Berkeley aerospace community. With our new External Partnerships Committee, we are working on expanding our connections with other student-led organizations at Berkeley and with aerospace companies around the country, which helps us secure funding, parts, launch opportunities, and expert technical advice for our teams while also helping our members connect with industry leaders and land valuable internships.  

Our projects aim to allow Berkeley students to work on real-world challenges related to space research. These experiences build fundamental technical and interpersonal skills and encourage innovative problem-solving. By achieving our goals, we hope to inspire future space research and foster a community that values collaboration and technological advancement, making a lasting impact both academically and in the broader field of space exploration.

All money raised will go directly to our manufacturing costs and expenses, with any amount helping us develop our space technologies! Thank you for helping us reach for the stars!

Budget Breakdown (All estimates are rough only, and actual expenditures may vary.):

$1,500 will go toward manufacturing costs for our projects. This will include makerspace passes (which give us access to specialized equipment), electronics, and materials so our projects can survive extreme space environments. 

$250 will go toward various costs for outreach events, including teaching engineering workshops for high school students.

The remaining $750 of our goal will go to paying for lab space and lab equipment. Some of our teams, Biopharm and TIME II, have a biologic component that requires work in a BSL-2 laboratory. This money will go toward paying for their bacterial strains, solution components, and renting the lab space.                                                

If we exceed our goal, we will be able to fully fund all four of our projects, ensuring that QubeSat and TIME II can launch this year and clearing the way for new projects to take their place.

If we do not meet our goal, we will prioritize paying for core necessities and keep every project active and running without dissolving any teams. Any donation is greatly appreciated!

For any questions or concerns, feel free to contact our financial director at lily_myers@berkeley.edu!

Want to make your gift by check, donor-advised fund, or employer matching program? We are happy to help! Please email calcrowdfunding@berkeley.edu and include how you would like to support this project. Our team will provide the appropriate instructions, coordinate gift processing, and help ensure your contribution is credited to this campaign whenever possible.