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Andrew Rhodes
Teaching Assistant Professor

News

Collegiate Teams Take Home Honors in 20th RASC-AL Forum

The WVU SPACE team

University teams from across the U.S. presented their space mission designs at NASA’s annual Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts – Academic Linkage (RASC-AL) competition, held June 20-23 in Cocoa Beach, Florida.



June 2022 Statler Circuit

the logo for the stalter college circuit

A West Virginia University team comprised of 38 undergraduate aerospace engineering students received the Best in Theme award at the NASA's Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts – Academic Linkage (RASC-AL) competition for their Lunar Exploration and Artemis Development Portable Utility Pallet (LEAD PUP) design. The competition RASC-AL aimed to develop new concepts that leverage innovation to improve NASA’s ability to operate on the moon, Mars and beyond. The LEAD PUP is the university's proposal for a portable utility pilot design to extend the range of autonomous and crewed missions by providing communications to the eventual Artemis base and lunar gateway. It will assist future astronauts by acting as a power supply for autonomous rovers and equipment.


NASA Selects West Virginia University Team to Tackle Moon, Mars Exploration Challenges

Artist rendering of the LEAD PUP and Andrew Rhodes, teaching assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering (submitted photos).

A team of 38 undergraduate aerospace engineering students at West Virginia University were selected to tackle moon and Mars exploration challenges by advancing to the final phase of NASA's Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts – Academic Linkage (RASC-AL) competition.


Finalist in West Virginia Statewide Collegiate Business Plan Competition: Andrew Rhodes

 A headshot of Dr. Andrew Rhodes

A graduate student gaining a PhD in aerospace engineering from the Statler College is a finalist in the West Virginia Statewide Collegiate Business Plan Competition for his idea to open a brewery—specifically for kombucha. Andrew Rhodes came up with the idea when he began drinking and home brewing kombucha in the summer of 2016.