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: 

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• 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:

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• 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.”

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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:

https://go.nasa.gov/2HWL80t

Source: NASA

Check out the STM Science section for more news: https://stmdailynews.com/category/science/

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https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-names-winners-of-2023-student-rocket-launch-competition-301844159.html

The F35 stealth fighter is a highly advanced aircraft that has received both criticisms and praise from experts in the aviation industry. The aircraft is designed to be a versatile, multi-role fighter that can perform a variety of missions, ranging from air-to-air combat to ground support operations. However, the F35 has also faced criticism for its high cost and technical problems.

One of the main criticisms of the F35 is its cost. The program has been described as the most expensive weapons program in history, with an estimated cost of $1.5 trillion over its lifetime. Critics argue that the high cost of the aircraft is unsustainable, and that the money could be better spent on other defense priorities.

In addition to its cost, the F35 has also faced technical problems. The aircraft has experienced issues with its software, engine, and other components, which have led to delays and cost overruns. Critics argue that these problems have made the F35 less reliable than other aircraft, and may limit its effectiveness in combat.

Despite these criticisms, the F35 has also received praise for its advanced capabilities. The aircraft is designed to be highly stealthy, making it difficult for enemy radar to detect. It also has advanced sensors and avionics, which allow pilots to gather and process information quickly and effectively. In addition, the F35 is designed to be highly maneuverable, which makes it a formidable opponent in air-to-air combat.

Another major advantage of the F35 is its ability to perform a variety of missions. The aircraft can be configured with different weapons and equipment, depending on the mission at hand. This flexibility makes the F35 a highly versatile aircraft that can adapt to changing mission requirements.

In conclusion, the F35 stealth fighter has both critics and supporters in the aviation industry. While the high cost and technical problems of the aircraft have been a source of concern, the advanced capabilities and versatility of the F35 have also been praised. As the program continues to evolve and improve, it will be important to weigh its advantages and disadvantages to determine its overall effectiveness as a military asset.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_F-35_Lightning_II

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https://stmdailynews.com/category/science/

In partnership with Department of the Air Force Digital Transformation Office, the Catalyst Accelerator Ogden launches its Spring 2023 cohort of eight innovative small businesses with technology solutions to accelerate and automate DAF certification processes.

OGDEN, Utah (Newswire.com) – The Catalyst Accelerator Ogden (CAO) is launching its second cohort in partnership with the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Digital Transformation Office (DTO). Eight small businesses from across the United States will come together to solve a stated DAF challenge statement focused on Digital Model Certification (DMC).

The Catalyst Accelerator Ogden exists to empower nontraditional technology companies to accelerate their involvement in the national defense ecosystem by providing connections, mentorship, and business development in a collaborative setting for a lasting national impact. USAF certification processes (i.e. airworthiness, cyber security, nuclear surety) require timely input and assessment of underlying engineering to assist certification teams. With the rise of digital twins, model-based engineering, and Dev*Ops, certification of complex weapon systems has expanded beyond what humans can do in a timely fashion. Therefore, in partnership with the DAF, the Catalyst Accelerator Ogden sought disruptive technologies and capabilities to help accelerate and automate certification processes.

Each company will collaborate with subject matter experts, work with government and commercial Sherpas, and complete an intensive customer discovery process. The cohort culminates with Demo Day on May 24 in Ogden, where they will pitch their technology to Government and Industry partners.

Accelerator in Session: March 7 – May 25, 2023 

Kickoff Event: March 9, 2023 (FREE! register here)

Demo Day: May 24, 2023 (FREE! save-the-date registration here) 

The CAO team, with technical advisement from both Government and Industry experts, selected the following small businesses to participate in the upcoming cohort:

• Acuity Innovations (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
• GURU Technologies (Layton, Utah)
• InnoVet (Dover, Delaware)
• Intrinsic (Newcastle, Washington) 
• OP Media (Draper, Utah) 
• Prewitt Ridge (Los Angeles, California)
• RedShred (Baltimore, Maryland)
• Tensor Networks (Sunnyvale, California)

See attachment for additional company details.

Involvement Opportunities:

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The CAO is enhanced by partnerships with Weber State University, sponsors, and industry mentors. The kickoff event and Demo Day are both sponsored by Field Aerospace. If you are interested in sponsorships or partnerships, contact Amanda McCrea.

About Catalyst Accelerator Ogden

The CAO is a collaborative program hosted by Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation (CCTI, a Colorado 501(c)3) in partnership with the DTO to provide a robust, mentor-driven curriculum for Accelerator companies. It is a defense and national security industry accelerator, headquartered at CCTI in Ogden, Utah. CCTI is a collaborative ecosystem where industry, small business, entrepreneurs, startups, government, academia, and investors intersect with Utah’s aerospace and defense industry to create community, spark innovation, and stimulate business growth. 

Contact:

Amanda McCrea (Program Manager), Amanda.McCrea@CatalystCampus.org, LinkedIn

Source: Catalyst Accelerator Ogden

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