Have you ever wondered what it might be like to design and build a moon buggy? And then race it on lunar terrain? If you've ever wanted to try it out, now . . .

Sure, it won't be on the moon, but geologists who study lunar terrain will be in charge of making the simulated race track. It can get very bumpy.

Every year, a location in Huntsville hosts the moon buggy race. Several universities and high schools from around the US participate. They bring their moon buggies to see who has the fastest. Each moon buggy is controlled by two people, a male and a female. They must ride in their moon buggy, steering and propeling (no engines!) it through the course.

Here's what the contestants at the race had to do last year at the US Space and Rocket Center:

• Take cover from nearby tornados (usually doesn't happen)
• Display their moon buggies. Awards for best design are given.
• Race!

  The 2 drivers had to:

  • Pick up and move the moon buggy
  • Unfold it. The moon buggy has to fold into a 4 ft X 4 ft X 4 ft cube -- just like the moon buggy that actually went to the moon.
  • Take it through an obstacle course with 12 different kinds of simulated lunar terrain and several hills, some rather steep.
  • Hope the moon buggy survied the course. Many didn't hold together long enough to finish.
  • And do it one more time!
• Attend the awards presentation
• And of course, HAVE FUN!

Are you interested? SEDS wants to build a moon buggy for this year's competition, but we need help! So far, we only have 2 people who are involved. We need more!

You can contact Jeff Jackowski (who made this page) for more information, or check out these related links.