The Defense Department is offering a Hypersonics Horizon High Speed Video challenge for high school and undergraduate students, providing an opportunity for participants to showcase their skills and knowledge in the field of hypersonics. The challenge aims to inspire the next generation workforce in hypersonics and encourage students to explore multidisciplinary challenges and solutions related to spacecraft design and hypersonic speeds. The challenge is part of the Joint Hypersonics Transition Office’s efforts to invest in future talent and develop pathways for a diverse and technically proficient workforce to protect national security and American prosperity.
High school teams participating in the challenge are required to create a three-to-five-minute video addressing the challenges a spacecraft might face on celestial bodies such as Mercury, Venus, Titan, Ceres, or Pluto. They must explain how the spacecraft design would be impacted by the environment of their chosen celestial body and propose solutions to overcome those challenges. Post-secondary student teams, on the other hand, are tasked with designing a plane-like spacecraft that can launch, reach hypersonic speeds, and safely land on Mars. They must also address potential challenges faced by the spacecraft and astronauts upon landing, incorporating diverse subject matter beyond just physics and engineering.
The challenge, now in its second year, has garnered enthusiastic participation from college and high school students, as well as their science and engineering teachers. Last year’s challenge focused on transporting people at hypersonic speeds, prompting students to conduct research and deepen their understanding of hypersonics. One university student who participated in the challenge last year is now looking to pursue hypersonics in grad school, showcasing the impact of the challenge in inspiring students to explore new career paths and share their knowledge with others.
The winners of this year’s challenge will be announced in February, following evaluations from experts across the DOD hypersonics community. The challenge provides a platform for students to showcase their creativity and enthusiasm for hypersonics, while also allowing evaluators to gain novel insights from the solutions proposed by participants. The challenge has already generated interest and excitement among mechanical engineers at universities, highlighting the growing impact of the challenge in fostering interest and innovation in the field of hypersonics. For more information about the challenge and how to participate, interested individuals can visit the challenge entry web page.
