StellarXplorers Announces 2018 National Finalists

ARLINGTON, Va., March 15, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Air Force Association (AFA) announced today the National Finalist teams invited to the StellarXplorers IV National Finals Competition, to be held April 18-20, 2018. Teams will travel all-expenses paid to Colorado to compete for the National Championship title. The top 10 teams advanced through competitive qualification rounds and represent schools and other youth groups from Alabama, California, Colorado, Maryland, Oregon, and Guam. A full list of the National Finalists can be found here.

"At AFA, we are passionate about promoting STEM education and our StellarXplorers program plays an important role in attracting students to education and careers in these critical fields," said AFA President, Gen Larry O. Spencer, USAF, (Ret.). "The 10 teams who have made it through this rigorous process represent the best in the nation and should take great pride in their success."

The fourth StellarXplorers competition season began in October 2017 with 180 teams registered from 31 states and three overseas locations, marking a 37 percent increase from the previous year, with each team consisting of two to six students. At this year's National Finals Competition, teams will compete by defining orbits, spacecraft components, and launch vehicles to meet a set of mission requirements. The teams will also brief an expert panel on their work as a part of their overall score.

"The competition this season was a lot tougher," said Stephen K. Gourley, StellarXplorers Director. "With the great increase in registered teams, we've seen more creative solutions and better performance. The Program Office is proud to encourage the talent the teams have for STEM disciplines."

StellarXplorers, an education initiative established by AFA, is a space system engineering competition designed to inspire students toward futures in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Program sponsors include the U.S. Air Force STEM Program, United Launch Alliance, Orbital ATK, Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, and Space Exploration Technologies, with additional support from the Educational Alliance of Analytical Graphics, Inc, The Space Foundation, and Coyote Enterprises.

To learn more about this program, please visit AFA's StellarXplorers website www.StellarXplorers.org.

The Air Force Association is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association. Our mission is to promote a dominant United States Air Force and a strong national defense, and to honor Airmen and our Air Force Heritage.

SOURCE Air Force Association

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