Wilber Inspires Budding Alaska and Space Engineers

What do ACEP and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration have in common? Besides great acronyms and excellent researchers, we share a culture of sharing our research.

Last week, Michelle Wilber of ACEP's Solar Technologies Program team presented to a group of 4-H youths on solar power in Alaska...and on Mars! 

The two locations share a need to maximize solar energy production, and through research and good design they can. Mars’ distance from the sun decreases its annual insolation, as does Alaska’s distance from the equator.

The group is building a model Martian rover and investigating how solar energy powers it. “The kids were very enthusiastic participants in the discussion of solar research, and ACEP may have discovered a few future interns!” said Wilber.

Contact Michelle Wilber at mmwilber@alaska.edu for more information.

 

An artist's rendering of NASA's Opportunity rover on Mars. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.