Science
NASA Names Winners of 2023 Student Rocket Launch Competition
Last Updated on July 26, 2024 by Daily News Staff
Recently, NASA announced the University of Alabama in Huntsville as the winner of the agency’s 2023 Student Launch challenge. This challenge involved designing, building, and launching a rocket and scientific payload to an altitude of between 4,000 and 6,000 feet. More than 800 students across the U.S. and Puerto Rico participated in this event, which was conducted on April 15th, near NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
The participating students were from various academic levels, including middle school, high school, college, and university. The winning teams were awarded in various categories, including Altitude Award, Payload Design Award, Vehicle Design Award, and many more.
“Students are required to meet complex requirements and high expectations, literally,” said Fred Kepner, an education program specialist and activity lead for Student Launch at Marshall. “Student Launch is an authentic learning experience – one offering students experience working through the same processes NASA and our partners use for safety and quality control of space missions.”
This challenge is a great opportunity for students to develop skills required for space exploration while applying theoretical knowledge practically. NASA is proud to contribute to the development of the next generation of skilled engineers and explorers, who can support NASA’s Artemis missions. The agency aims to inspire and encourage students to become the future of space exploration.
The complete list of award winners are as follows:
2023 Overall Winners
- First place: University of Alabama in Huntsville
- Second place: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Third place: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
3D Printing Award:
College Level:
- First place: Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Middle/High School Level:
- First place: East Aurora High School, East Aurora, New York
Altitude Award:
College Level:
- First place: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Second place: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Third place: University of Alabama in Huntsville
Middle/High School Level:
- First place: Spring Grove Area High School, Spring Grove, Pennsylvania
- Second place: Camas High School, Camas, Washington
- Third place: MATHmania Robotics, Mission Viejo, California
Best-Looking Rocket Award:
College Level:
- First place: North Carolina State University, Raleigh
- Second place: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg
- Third place: Auburn University, Alabama
Middle/High School Level:
- First place: Cedar Falls High School, Iowa
- Second place: Yamhill Carlton High School, Yamhill, Oregon
- Third place: Boy Scouts Troop 17, Charlottesville, Virginia
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Reusable Launch Vehicle Innovative Payload Award:
College Level:
- First place: University of Alabama in Huntsville
- Second place: Washington University in St. Louis
- Third place: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Judges’ Choice Award:
Middle/High School Level:
- First place: Cedar Falls High School, Cedar Falls, Iowa
- Second place: Seabrook Intermediate School, Seabrook, Texas
- Third place: MATHmania Robotics, Mission Viejo, California
Project Review Award:
College Level:
- First place: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Second place: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Third place: University of Notre Dame, Indiana
AIAA Reusable Launch Vehicle Award:
College Level:
- First place: New York University, New York
- Second place: Washington University in St. Louis
- Third place: University of Alabama in Huntsville
AIAA Rookie Award:
College Level:
- First place: United States Military Academy, West Point, New York
- Second place: Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas
- Third place: University of Central Florida, Orlando
Safety Award:
College Level:
- First place: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Second place: University of Alabama in Huntsville
- Third place: University of Notre Dame, Indiana
Social Media Award:
College Level:
- First place: University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus
- Second place: North Carolina State University, Raleigh
- Third place: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Middle/High School Level:
- First place: Morris County 4-H Rocketry Club, Morris County, New Jersey
- Second place: East Aurora High School, East Aurora, New York
- Third place: Boy Scouts Troop 17, Charlottesville, Virginia
STEM Engagement Award:
College Level:
- First place: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Second place: University of Notre Dame, Indiana
- Third place: University of Alabama in Huntsville
Middle/High School Level:
- First place: Cedar Falls High School, Cedar Falls, Iowa
- Second place: MATHmania Robotics, Mission Viejo, California
- Third place: Camas High School, Camas, Washington
Service Academy Award:
- First place: The U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York
Vehicle Design Award:
Middle/High School Level:
- First place: Yamhill Carlton Rocketry, Yamhill, Oregon
- Second place: Spring Grove Area High School, Spring Grove, Pennsylvania
- Third place: Cedar Falls High School, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Payload Design Award:
Middle/High School Level:
- First place: Portland Rocketry, Portland, Oregon
- Second place: Yamhill Carlton Rocketry, Yamhill, Oregon
- Third place: Seabrook Intermediate School, Seabrook, Texas
Student Launch is one of NASA’s nine Artemis Student Challenges, activities which connect student ingenuity with NASA’s work returning to the Moon under Artemis in preparation for human exploration of Mars.
“Students are required to meet complex requirements and high expectations, literally,” said Fred Kepner, an education program specialist and activity lead for Student Launch at Marshall. “Student Launch is an authentic learning experience – one offering students experience working through the same processes NASA and our partners use for safety and quality control of space missions.”
Marshall hosts Student Launch with management support provided by NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement – Southeast Region. Funding is provided, in part, by NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate and NASA’s Next Gen STEM project. Additional support is provided by Northrup Grumman, National Space Club Huntsville, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Association of Rocketry, Relativity Space, Bastion Technologies, and Siemens Digital Industries Software.
Replays of this launch event and award ceremony are available on NASA’s Marshall YouTube and the Student Launch Facebook page.
For more information about the Student Launch challenge, visit:
Source: NASA
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Last Updated on March 2, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Early risers in Arizona are in for a celestial show.
On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, a total lunar eclipse will be visible across much of North America — including Phoenixand the Valley. During this event, the Moon will pass completely into Earth’s shadow, turning a deep copper-red color often called a “Blood Moon.”
Here’s what you need to know.
🌍 What Is a Total Lunar Eclipse?
A total lunar eclipse happens when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align perfectly, with Earth positioned directly between the Sun and the Moon. As the Moon moves into Earth’s darkest shadow (the umbra), it doesn’t disappear — instead, it glows red.
That reddish color comes from sunlight filtering through Earth’s atmosphere — essentially, we’re seeing all the world’s sunrises and sunsets projected onto the Moon at once.
🕒 Phoenix Viewing Times (MST)
Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time in March, so these times are in Mountain Standard Time (MST).
- 1:44 a.m. – Penumbral eclipse begins (subtle dimming begins)
- 2:50 a.m. – Partial eclipse begins (Earth’s shadow becomes clearly visible)
- 4:04 a.m. – Totality begins 🌕
- 4:34 a.m. – Greatest eclipse
- 5:03 a.m. – Totality ends
- 6:18 a.m. – Partial eclipse ends
- 7:20 a.m. – Penumbral eclipse ends
The most dramatic portion — totality — lasts nearly one hour.
🌅 Where to Look in Phoenix
The eclipse happens in the pre-dawn hours, so the Moon will be low in the western sky as it sets.
For the best view:
- Find a location with a clear western horizon
- Avoid city light glare if possible
- Consider desert viewpoints, parks, or elevated areas around the Valley
Because the Moon will be setting as the Sun begins to rise, the backdrop of early morning twilight could make for stunning photography.
🔭 Do You Need Special Equipment?
No.
Unlike a solar eclipse, lunar eclipses are completely safe to view with the naked eye. However:
- Binoculars enhance color detail
- A small telescope reveals subtle shadow gradients
- A tripod and DSLR or smartphone with night mode can capture impressive images
🌎 Why This Eclipse Matters
This will be one of the most accessible celestial events of 2026 for Arizona residents. Total lunar eclipses don’t happen every year in the same location, and the timing — just before sunrise — adds dramatic visual contrast.
If skies are clear, Phoenix could have a spectacular view.
📌 Quick Viewing Reminder for Phoenix
Set your alarm for around 3:45 a.m.
Step outside by 4:00 a.m.
Look west
Watch the Moon turn red
No tickets. No crowds. Just the sky putting on a show.
For more science, space, and Arizona skywatching coverage, visit STM Daily News.
Related Coverage
- NASA: What Is a Lunar Eclipse?
- Time and Date: March 3, 2026 Total Lunar Eclipse Details
- Sky & Telescope: How to Watch the March 2026 Lunar Eclipse
- Space.com: Where and When to See the 2026 Blood Moon
- STM Daily News – Science & Space Coverage
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Last Updated on February 28, 2026 by Daily News Staff
For decades, the idea of aliens visiting Earth has lived in a cultural no-man’s-land: too fascinating to ignore, too stigmatized to study seriously, and too easy to dismiss with a joke. But that posture has shifted in a measurable way over the past several years.
Physicist Kevin Knuth (University at Albany, SUNY) argued in a 2018 essay for The Conversation that the question of whether some UFO reports could represent something truly unknown is worthy of serious scientific study — not because we have proof of extraterrestrials, but because a small portion of cases appear to resist easy explanation and involve trained observers, multiple sensors, or unusual performance claims.
Article: https://theconversation.com/are-we-alone-the-question-is-worthy-of-serious-scientific-study-98843
That argument gained new oxygen in late 2017, when The New York Times reported that the U.S. Department of Defense had funded a program known as the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP). The reporting described roughly $22 million spent to examine military reports of unusual aerial incidents. Former Pentagon official Luis Elizondo became a central public figure in the story, saying he left his role amid frustration over secrecy and limited support for deeper investigation.
Around the same time, the Pentagon confirmed and released several now-famous military videos showing encounters recorded on forward-looking infrared (FLIR) systems from Navy aircraft — clips that reignited public debate and pushed the topic out of late-night-TV territory and into mainstream news.
What we’ve learned since (2018–2026)
The biggest “update” since your original post isn’t a single smoking gun. It’s the fact that the U.S. government and scientific institutions have increasingly treated the issue as a data and airspace-safety problem—and, potentially, a national security one.
A few key developments:
- The language changed: “UFO” has increasingly been replaced by UAP (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena), a term meant to reduce stigma and widen the scope beyond “flying saucers.”
- Regular reporting became normalized: The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) has issued public-facing UAP reporting in recent years, and the Department of Defense has continued formal tracking through dedicated offices.
- NASA stepped in: NASA convened an independent UAP study team, releasing a final report in 2023 that emphasized something simple but important: if you want answers, you need better data, consistent reporting standards, and transparent methods. (NASA’s stance was not “aliens confirmed,” but “this is a legitimate area for structured inquiry.”)
The Carl Sagan test still applies
Carl Sagan’s line remains the guardrail here:
“Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.”
In other words: eyewitness testimony alone — even sincere testimony — isn’t enough. A personal story, a viral clip, or even a dramatic encounter doesn’t automatically equal proof of extraterrestrial visitation. If the claim is “non-human intelligence is visiting Earth,” the evidence has to be strong enough to survive serious scrutiny: repeatable analysis, multi-sensor confirmation, chain-of-custody, and independent review.
So where does that leave us?
If you strip away the hype, the most reasonable position in 2026 looks something like this:
- Something is being observed in a small percentage of cases that isn’t immediately identifiable.
- That does not automatically mean “aliens.”
- But it does mean the topic is no longer intellectually off-limits the way it once was.
After leaving AATIP-related work, Elizondo became associated with To The Stars Academy of Arts & Science, a group founded by musician Tom DeLonge that aimed to blend public interest, aerospace ideas, and advocacy for further investigation. Whether you view that effort as serious research, public outreach, or a media-adjacent project, it reflects the broader reality: the conversation has moved from fringe forums into public institutions.
The next step shouldn’t be louder claims. It should be better instrumentation, better reporting, and better science—because if there’s a prosaic explanation, rigorous study will reveal it. And if there’s something genuinely novel in the data, that’s exactly what science is for.
More STM Daily News science coverage: https://stmdailynews.com/category/science/
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Former President Barack Obama recently sparked headlines, social media debates, and a fresh wave of UFO chatter after a brief remark during a podcast interview. The comment quickly ricocheted across news outlets, with many asking: Did Obama just confirm aliens exist? And just as quickly, Donald Trump weighed in.
Let’s unpack what was actually said — and what it means.
🎙️ The Comment That Ignited the Conversation
During a rapid-fire question segment on a podcast hosted by Brian Tyler Cohen, Obama was asked directly:
“Are aliens real?”
Obama’s response:
“They’re real, but I haven’t seen them.”
That short answer fueled immediate speculation. Clips spread online, often stripped of context, with some interpreting the statement as a bombshell confirmation of extraterrestrial life.
🧠 What Obama Meant
Soon after the comment gained traction, Obama clarified his meaning.
His explanation aligned with a position he’s expressed before:
✔ He was referring to the statistical likelihood of life elsewhere in the universe
✔ He was not claiming evidence of alien visitation
✔ He emphasized that during his presidency he saw no proof of extraterrestrial contact
In other words:
Obama was speaking philosophically and scientifically — not revealing classified information.
This interpretation matches mainstream scientific thinking: given the size of the universe, life beyond Earth is plausible, but confirmed evidence remains elusive.
🛸 Why the Comment Resonated
The remark landed in a cultural moment where:
• Interest in UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) is high
• Government transparency around UFO reports has increased
• Space exploration discoveries (exoplanets, water worlds) dominate science news
Even a casual statement from a former president can ignite intense discussion.
🇺🇸 Trump’s Reaction
Former (and current political figure) Donald Trump responded critically.
Trump characterized Obama’s comment as:
• A “mistake”
• Potentially involving “classified information”
He also reiterated his own stance:
He does not know whether aliens are real.
Trump pivoted the conversation toward disclosure, suggesting he would support or consider declassifying UFO/UAP-related files — a theme that has periodically surfaced in political rhetoric.
⚖️ Politics vs Interpretation
Trump’s reaction highlights how statements about extraterrestrial life often become political flashpoints, even when the original comment is speculative or philosophical.
Key distinction:Obama’s Clarification Public Interpretation Life elsewhere is likely “Obama confirmed aliens” No evidence of contact “Government disclosure”
🔬 The Scientific Reality
Organizations like NASA and the broader research community maintain:
✅ Life beyond Earth → statistically plausible
❓ Intelligent civilizations → unknown
❌ Confirmed alien contact → no verified evidence
Investigations into UAPs consistently conclude:
• Most sightings have conventional explanations
• Some remain unresolved due to limited data
• None confirmed as extraterrestrial craft
🌌 Why These Stories Keep Captivating Us
Conversations about aliens sit at the intersection of:
✨ Science
🧠 Curiosity
🛸 Mystery
🎭 Pop culture
🏛️ Politics
When a former president comments, the intrigue multiplies.
📌 Bottom Line
Did Obama say aliens are real?
Yes — but in the sense that life elsewhere in the universe is likely, not that aliens are visiting Earth.
Did he claim evidence?
No.
Trump’s response?
Critical, skeptical, and framed around classification and disclosure.
If you’re fascinated by this topic, you might also enjoy exploring:
• How scientists search for alien life
• What counts as real “evidence”
• Why UFO sightings are so often misinterpreted
Want me to craft a follow-up article like “How Close Are We to Discovering Alien Life?” 🚀👽
Related Links & Further Reading
- NASA – Search for Life
- NASA – Exoplanet Exploration
- SETI Institute – Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
- U.S. Department of Defense – UAP Reports
- How Close Are We to Discovering Alien Life?
- What Are UAPs? Explained
- A Brief History of UFO Investigations
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