Imagine spending a weekend at the Houston Space Center competing against nine other teams to solve orbit planning, satellite component, and launch vehicle selection scenarios in the finals of the StellarXplorers National Space Design Competition. Well, that’s exactly what one team from Red Mountain High School accomplished recently.
The team, consisting of Garrett Comes (Captain), Hayden Farrell (Co-Captain), Keegan Rothlisberger, Samuel Smith, Zachary Parker, and Ashley Pantier, competed against 374 teams in a team building, problem solving experience that started in October and ended in April. Students were challenged to solve various scenarios provided by the National StellarXplorers staff.
Working in partnership with leaders in the U.S. space industry, the StellarXplorers Aerospace STEM program inspires K-12 students toward careers in aerospace, aviation, and other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation’s future.
The competition is an exciting hands-on learning experience that develops commercially valuable skills and increases appreciation for the critical role of space in our daily lives. It attracts all types of students with diverse backgrounds building teamwork and leadership skills. The curriculum is a stimulating addition to STEM curriculum with real-world application.
The Red Mountain team advanced to the final competition. Team member Ashley summarized her participation and opportunity to compete at the highest level. “StellarXplorers has been such an amazing experience. I have been able to learn more about aerospace engineering and we use industry-grade programs to solve problems. This was an opportunity that opened my eyes to the world of aerospace and showed me how to develop a solution to a problem of significant value,” Ashley said. “I learned the importance of teamwork and how to think out of the box when solving a mathematical problem.”
When participating in the competition, each of the 375 teams were given one scenario during their six-hour competition period (eight-hour competition period for finals). This included determining orbits, picking satellite components, and selecting launch vehicles that meet mission requirements throughout the rounds of competition. Each qualifying round was proceeded by a practice round that covered the corresponding tasking.
64 teams advanced to the semi-final round, and the best of the best – including the Red Mountain High School team – advanced to the in-person National Finals Competition. “It was amazing to watch our students participate in this competition and to see the appreciation for math, science, and the aerospace industry grow,” said Adam Middleton, Red Mountain High School team director.
“The problems presented were challenging but approachable and pushed students to grow and develop through collaboration. Each round left the team waiting in suspense to know how they did. Each student on the team had a real sense of pride and accomplishment after each round, not just based on their score but based on what they achieved working through the task.”
“I know that my students are better students and better future engineers as a result of their participation, and I am so proud of the success they have had.”
StellarXplorers will enter its ninth season and have exciting new scenarios beginning October 2022. To learn more, visit stellarxplorers.org.