You don't have to be Jodie Foster in "Contact" to prepare yourself for space travel.
The UB Students for the Exploration and Development of Space, a group currently in its infantile stages, is looking to change UB's face in international space exploration, impacting the world of space development.
These UB students don't plan on visiting any extraterrestrials during upcoming semesters, but they strive to address many of the problems facing space explorers in future years with the use of their academic studies.
Part of a larger international organization, SEDS was brought to campus by Frank Centinello, a graduate student studying navigation and Mrynal D'Arcangelo, a senior mechanical and aerospace engineering major. Centinello recently returned from the Utah Desert where he was the second of three UB students selected to participate in the Mars Desert Research Project. D'Arcangelo was the third participant selected, and will be attending the mission in April.
The group addresses issues such as space weaponry. In future years, issues of explosives and other modes of attack will need to be regulated, especially in lieu of China having the ability to blow up satellites.
Centinello brought the SEDS program to UB to bring together students of all academic backgrounds and degree programs to approach issues concerning the space generation and afford students additional opportunities in their chosen career paths.
The SEDS organization gives a chance for students of all majors interested in space exploration and research to meet important contacts, discuss their ideas and brainstorm with other students. Topics like space policy and law, medicine and psychological issues concerning space exploration will be tackled.
Centinello wants to give students the chance to focus on their interests while making job contacts. Additionally, participation in the SEDS program gives students hands on experience.
"It's just an eye opener to see what's really out there and to see the different topics you can talk about, and the different ideas about one concept," D'Arcangelo said. "It's great for brainstorming."
Students participating in SEDS are given the opportunity to travel the world for international conferences, as well as participate in various research projects and career opportunities, such as the Mars Desert Research Project.
During the mission, students travel to the Utah Desert to work on projects that simulate the environmental conditions of Mars.
Those participating in the Mars Desert Research Project will be given a challenge to overcome regarding activity in space. Possible missions include finding a way to give CPR to someone in a space suit or fixing an astronaut's broken leg.
"Every crew has a certain mission and a certain goal to accomplish," D'Arcangelo said.
Currently, three of the seniors involved in SEDS are competing for an additional spot to participate in the MDRS mission including Amanda Schmidt, a senior mechanical and aerospace engineering major.
"We have to design a tool that can pick up both rocks and soil samples," Schmidt said.
David Fowler, a senior mechanical and aerospace engineering major, is also competing in the project.
"All of these tools have to be able to withstand the dust environment. They're made for Mars," Fowler said.
Right now, the group of seniors working on the MDRS project are compiling ideas. They are looking to have the first model of their initial prototype prepared within the upcoming weeks.
Jason Gundlach, a senior mechanical and aerospace engineering major, is also competing for a spot on the Mars Desert Research project. According to Gundlach, their creation has to be able to pick up dirt and rock samples and keep them separated from each other.
This project may earn one of these three seniors a spot at the next MDRS conference. Schmidt, Gundlach and Fowler have done extensive research in preparation for creating this prototype, basing their project on real life conditions on Mars.
"This is our first opportunity to apply and use what we've learned for course credit," Gundlach said. "Narrowing down which options are best for the project is very difficult. It's hard to exclude options this early in the game."
Centinello approaches the growth of SEDS with the hopes of forming an annual team from UB to compete in the MDRS mission.
Centinello and D'Arcangelo look to provide money for students looking to start organizations like SEDS by working on an outreach project they call "Students Reaching Students." This program encourages students to create original projects as a tool for reaching other students interested in space exploration.
Students who best complete a space outreach program, such as going into grade schools and talking to students, or making a compilation track CD, will be eligible for an award.
"It would be a way of providing money as a way for people to get things like SEDS going," Centinello said. "We'll provide funding in the form of a prize."
The ultimate aim of SEDS is for the eventual peaceful colonization of space.
"I want to create a group of students here who care about the space generation," Centinello said. "We can make space our second home."
Photo: Courtesy of SUNY
