PROJECT SCOPE STATEMENT
• Design a four-wheeled human powered vehicle to compete in NASA’s MoonBuggy Race in Huntsville, Alabama.
• Design, Manufacturing, and Testing must be completed by 4/08/2013.
• Race in Huntville, AL, 04/24/2013 through 04/28/2013
• 2008-2009 UAHuntsville Moonbuggy Race Video - YouTube
MOONBUGGY REQUIREMENTS
- MoonBuggy Teams - each MoonBuggy must be the work of a team of a high school or college students. Teams may include any number of students but a male and female driver must participate in each race.
- Propulsion System - must be human powered; energy storage devices such as springs or flywheels are not allowed.
- Un-Assembled Dimensions - Prior to the first race, assembly judging is conducted. The unassembled vehicle must fit (or be collapsible) to fit in a 4'x 4‘ x 4‘ crate. A frame of these dimensions will be placed over the collapsed or unassembled MoonBuggy for verification.
- Weight – is irrelevant but the vehicle must be lifted and carried 20 feet to the starting line by the two passengers.
- Assembled Dimensions - the maximum width of the assembled vehicle is four (4) feet, including wheels. There are no constraints for height and length of the assembled vehicle.
- Safety - no body part of either passenger may be closer than 15" to the ground. Each passenger must wear a seat restrain, a helmet and goggles for the entirety of the race. In addition, the vehicle must have a turning radius of 15 feet or less, brakes and fenders.
- Additional Equipment – each MoonBuggy must be equipped with a simulated TV camera, antenna, two batteries, electronic controls, radio and display console, and a national or school flag. These items will be checked prior to, and after, each course run.
- Creativity is encouraged and rewarded.
WHAT ARE WE LEARNING?
• Real World Applications
• How to create solid models
• How to assemble solid models
• How to work as a team
• How to identify and solve problems
• Most importantly, we have learned that we possess limitless capabilities!
This challenge has strengthened our belief that we can accomplish any goal we set. We are prepared to reach further than ourselves and recognize that we have been given a great opportunity to demonstrate our newfound resolve. The MoonBuggy competition has awaken our self-confidence which many of us had lost through life’s circumstances. This project is dedicated in building role models for our peers and future CBC High School Academy students.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
- The design phase is the most important part of any design project.
- Designing a good product from the beginning reduces the number of problems and eliminates the need for redesigning major components.
- Team members must be willing to work together, sharing ideas, collaborating, and be open-minded to all ideas.
- Productivity becomes an issue if we don’t learn to work through negative factors that contribute to high levels of tension.
- We must be creative in securing the necessary parts for efficient completion of components and fabrication.
PLEASE CONSIDER SPONSORING OUR ENDEAVORS
Your sponsorship will not only support us in our race to Alabama, it will also inspire a new generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers.
Team SpaceHawks truly is
“Standing in Today, Reaching for Tomorrow.”