Canadian Moonbuggy Team Return from 14th Annual Great Moonbuggy Races - April 13-14, 2007

CuSEDS represented Canada's very first entry in the 14 Annual Great Moonbuggy races held at the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville Alabama on April 14th 2007. The event became international this year when both Canada and Germany entered the contest for the first time - the German high school team competed on the Friday and our University team on the Saturday.

Our male and female drivers (Joel Spark and Jessica Keranen) made a valiant attempt to traverse the 1.1km track which had obstacles and terrain resembling the lunar surface placed throughout the course.

Unfortunately our vehicle broke down on the first obstacle but both our driver's spirits and perseverance didn't stop them from completing the race. They picked up the vehicle and pushed it the entire length of the course. For their effort and bravery the team received the "Crash and Burn" award which consisted of a flotation jacket that was flown onboard 3 space shuttle flights. We hope to begin a tradition of "passing the jacket" to the following year's driver.

The message that struck home for all of us was mentioned by many of the NASA and aerospace officials attending the race and awards presentations. "You learn more from your failures than you do from your mistakes." Our team is already thinking about vehicle modifications and designs for next year and are eyeing the "Most Improved" award.

In addition the team had the privilege to speak with a number of the original Lunar Rover design team members and view first hand many pieces of space hardware in the museum. Needless to say it was very inspiring for these future aerospace engineers to see and touch the hardware that sent man into space, to the moon and beyond.

Discovery Channel Canada's Daily Planet followed our team around for the day. A story about the team and the race aired later that month. Watch the segment here.

Needless to say we could not have competed in this race without the tremendous support of our sponsors. We want to thank the following companies and people.

Loucon Metal & Owner Ken Glover, - visit

Optech - visit

Budget Rental - Ottawa - visit

Full Cycle - visit

Click here to read articles from:

Marshall Space Flight Center-visit

Ottawa Citizen (April 9, 2007);

See video segments on YouTube from "The Great Moonbuggy Races 2007";

Discovery Channel's "Daily Planet" Moonbuggy story - May 10, 2007;

Listen to Stef Madansingh's PodCast interview with NASA's Student's opportunity spokesperson

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