moonbuggys

moonbuggys

Moonbuggies

It's that time again! Every four years students from high schools, colleges, and universities from all over the world come to compete in Nasa's moonbuggy race. The competition is a huge deal there are about 100 teams and they have to design and build a moonbuggy from scratch. Not just any moonbuggy though it has to be based on the design of the classic rovers from the Apollo missions in the 1970's.
The moonbuggy competition is a huge deal. Many students and teachers think it is a great way to learn. Students begin preparing for this event during they're fall semester. Tim White who has been a moonbuggy mentor since 2002 is a huge supporter of the race."I think the important thing is to get these kids out there and see what work in the 'real world' is like. They thrive on the challenge of turning a concept drawing on paper towels and napkins into a finished product. Good things definetly happen when we all work together , That's just something they can't get in a classroom." Mark Polson from Cameron University is a huge supporter as well "Engineering is hard work but so rewarding,"." These kids get excited about building something from scratch and enjoy getting to know students with similar interests from other schools. I think that's what brings them back every year."
First, you must pick your teams. Each team has six members including the driver and each moonbuggy must be constructed by a team of high school students or an accredited institution of higher learning. The moonbuggy is human-powered by two students, a male and a female. It goes over a half-mile lunar terrain course that includes "craters," rocks,"lava," ridges, inclines and "lunar" soil. If your moonbuggy has been previously entered in the competition it must have undergone major modifications which improve on design and the vehicles performance. The moonbuggy must have been constructed by the entering team;otherwise, it will not be accepted.
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