News and Media Relations contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu
MTSU Moonbuggy
contact: Dr. Saeed Foroudastan, 615-417-2761 (cell) or Saeed.Foroudastan@mtsu.edu
MURFREESBORO — The
MTSU Engineering Technology Experimental Vehicles Program Moonbuggy team’s
nine-month quest for success continues Friday and Saturday in Huntsville, Ala.
The nine-member team, led by captains Ryan Miller of
Murfreesboro and Brian Julian of Spring Hill, Tenn., has two Moonbuggies
competing in the 20th annual Great Moonbuggy Race on a course
designed by officials at Marshall Space Flight Center.
A newly designed and built Moonbuggy finished Friday’s run
with a time of 5 minutes, 30 seconds, said program adviser Dr. Saeed
Foroudastan. Co-drivers were junior Devin Raines of Murfreesboro and senior
Kevin Conner of Norman, Okla.
“Their time is excellent,” Foroudastan said. “The obstacles
are much more difficult this year.”
“The judges and everybody have been impressed (with the new
Moonbuggy),” Foroudastan added. “It’s the best-looking (Moonbuggy) and best
design in the whole contest.” He added that it expects to receive a design
award.
Foroudastan said the team plans on “making minor repairs”
between now and the scheduled second run on Saturday, and believes they “can
shave one-and-a-half minutes off (Friday’s) time.” NASA officials told teams
severe weather could factor into the running of the event Saturday.
MTSU’s second entry did not finish its run. Drivers Sadie
Swaney of Clarksville, Tenn., and Central Magnet School student Austin Tipton
of Murfreesboro went past the 8-minute mark, exceeding the time limit allowed
by judges.
Other MTSU team members include senior Joseph Honea of
Tullahoma, Tenn., senior Mike Myers of Greeneville, Tenn., junior Steven Chaput
of Manchester, Tenn., and junior Thomas Cox of Nashville.
Provost Brad Bartel and College of Basic and Applied
Sciences Dean Bud Fischer inspected the new Moonbuggy and the program’s Baha
competition entry on April 25 just before the group left for Huntsville.
“I am impressed,” Bartel said. “This is amazing. … You guys
are a winner in my book no matter the outcome.”
“It’s everything that education is all about,” Fischer said.
“It’s transformational science, where it’s taken from the lab to being used.”
MTSU’s Moonbuggy teams have placed as high as fourth overall
and earned two safety awards since entering the competition in 2003.
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