<aside>

Welcome to Summer 2026! ☀️

Opto mech team W26 — final in person sync

Hello team—welcome back for the summer term–please read the below message in full to begin, and then re-familiarize yourself with this notion page that will continually be updated, sometimes without notification.

As a reminder, this page covers how the team is structured, how we'll communicate, and how we'll stay on track given that most of us are working async. Read it end-to-end before our kickoff — it will save us a genuinely large amount of time.

For everyone:

1. Review: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/12pJv6pUpWWSl0gxC3X3-ZZWiQmEj21rEJCyltSdYNKg/edit?slide=id.g3d3c7c9e02f_0_0#slide=id.g3d3c7c9e02f_0_0
2. If you have a legacy task from only W26
   1. Review the due-date
   2. Review your progress
   3. Send me a final update on the task via Slack in #opto-mech by May 17
      1. Include: what was done, what was left undone, main problems, your general feelings about the task, including, but not limited to:
         1. Did you find it interesting
         2. Did you learn anything from it
         3. Did you enjoy working on it with your subteam
      2. The task’s Notion page should be cleaned up—ready for review and finalized
      3. NOTE: During W26-10—all tasks assigned during W26 were given a final due date—as of writing this message, all of those due dates have passed
3. Update the Team Roster
   1. If your name is already on it, please leave it
   2. If your name is not on it, please add it
      1. Due May 17—roster will be finalized

REVIEW: Where Things Live

• Sibe PDM — source of truth for all CAD and version-controlled engineering files
• This Notion workspace — meeting notes, design rationale, decisions log, onboarding docs, subgroup pages
• Slack #opto-mech — daily standups, quick questions, announcements
• Slack opto-mech-threads — subgroup-specific discussion; we’ve already begun doing this—let’s make a habit out of this

IMPORTANT: New Work Reporting Procedure (in lieu of weekly in-person syncs)

Instead of our weekly syncs, we’re pivoting to a more virtual setup for the summer, please view below:

MANDATORY: Daily async standup (Slack #opto-mech, by end of day your local time)

Three lines, should take like 2 minutes:

• Yesterday: what I finished
• Today: what I'm working on
• Blockers: what's in my way (or "none")

If you miss two days in a row without prior notification–you will be pinged for a check-in

MANDATORY: Weekly written status

• Every Friday, posted by one member (but written by ALL) members in your project team (A, B, C, or D)
• Each post summarizes their project's progress, decisions made, and the week ahead
  • Should be in-line with the documentation being kept on Notion

MANDATORY: Virtual sync meeting (every TUESDAY, 2-3PM)

Subgroup leads + anyone who can attend. For unblocking, alignment, and decisions needing real-time discussion. Recorded; notes posted same day. Async folks: read the notes within 48 hours and reply with questions or pushback.

OPTIONAL: ZOOM Office hours

I'm online and available for sync chat during (same Zoom links as weekly syncs):

• Weekdays: 5PM — 8PM
• Sat, Sun: 4PM — 5PM

No When2Meet or scheduling for this—send me a message on Slack when you want to chat; feel free to drop in with anything

For returning members:

There are 4 core projects that are active this summer term. Depending on the subteam that you’ve chosen, you’ll be working on that project with people in the same subteam. You’ve all had one semester to test the waters in your initially chosen subteam—so you have the option to remain in that subteam, or choose a new subteam and notify me via Slack by May 16.

For new members:

Welcome! Opto-mech is one of the larger subteams within UTAT SS, so we organize team members via 3 main subgroups:

• Payload Structure — mechanical design, integration, mounting
• Analysis & Validation — FEA, thermal, optical analysis, test planning
• Docs & Requirements — requirements management, ICDs, design documentation

Because most of the summer will likely not be in-person, as members of our team transition into their research, internships, co-ops, or summer vacation (arguably the best), onboarding is streamlined into the following process:

1. Pick 1 subteam AND message me that selection via Slack
2. Send me your preferred email for communication via Slack
3. If you do not have Solidworks 2024—send me your UofT email via Slack
   1. You will receive an email to download Solidworks 2024—please do so ASAP
4. Review this Notion page and all of its affiliated (any linked pages)
   1. Review W26 member tasks to get a feel for the type of work you’ll be doing
   2. You will be placed into project A, B, C, or D (only one)—and will integrate with the rest of the team right away; many returning members are experienced and will be your first line of contact and help (or message me any time)

Go through and confirm all boxed items in:

S26 Onboarding

</aside>

<aside> 1️⃣

Meetings: S26

• Mandatory Virtual Syncs:
  • EVERY Tuesday, 8-9PM EST
    • If you cannot attend due to your timezone difference, at least one representative from your project MUST be present

https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/83292257825

• NOTE: Starting W26 (with the exception of summer terms), all meetings are held in person and all members are expected to be present in person; in cases where this is not possible, please message @San Vo (via Slack, [email protected]) </aside>

<aside> 2️⃣

What We Do

Our team is responsible for the optomechanical design, integration, and validation of the FINCH Eye payload. We design the structure that precisely positions the payload between the satellite rails and ensure it survives the realities of spaceflight—like intense launch vibrations and accelerations and thermal conditions once on orbit.

If you’re interested in 3D modelling, mechanical or optomechanical design, FEA, or collaborating with a team of crack engineering students, this is the place to be.

</aside>

<aside> 3️⃣

Join Us

Effective W26, recruitment for Opto-Mechanical is open and rolling to all students, at all skill levels. Whether you’re brand new to CAD or deep into simulations, there’s room to contribute and grow.

Onboarding is standardized during our Fall and Winter recruitment cycles to ensure everyone builds the same strong technical foundation. For members who join outside these cycles, onboarding is tailored to the team’s current projects—so you can jump in quickly and start making real contributions right away.

If you’re curious, motivated, and ready to learn, we’d love to have you: please message @San Vo (via Slack, [email protected])

</aside>

<aside> 4️⃣

Roster

<aside>

Updated: May 12, 2026 By: @San Vo

</aside>

| --- |

</aside>

Critical Semester Objectives (May — Sept 2026)

Our Design

Project Management

Readings and Resources

LEAD