UMaine students selected for NASA Rocket Launch Challenge
A group of University of Maine students have been selected to participate in the 2015–2016 NASA Student Launch challenge, which will be held April 13–17 near NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
Student Launch is a research-based, experiential exploration activity, requiring an eight-month commitment to design, construct, test, launch and successfully recover a reusable rocket.
“Student Launch provides a real-world opportunity for our next generation of engineers and scientists to succeed in aeronautics and aerospace,” Tammy Rowan, manager of Marshall’s Academic Affairs Office, said in a NASA press release. “A true hands-on activity, Student Launch pushes their limits in critical thinking, improves their science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skill-sets and better prepares them for success in tomorrow’s workplace.”
Designs for the rockets must align with current NASA projects, such as the Space Launch System and Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV).