Battle Ground cadets reach semifinals in space design contest

Battle Ground — A team of Battle Ground High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets reached the semifinal round of StellarXplorers, a national space system design competition. The Battle Ground cadets placed 17th overall out of 280 teams from the corps, Civil Air Patrol and STEM school programs across the country. This is the third year the Battle Ground cadets have participated in the event, and this was the first time they have reached the semifinal round. Cadets completed three six-hour satellite launch simulations using software and techniques developed for NASA and other commercial space exploration programs. They also took an exam covering space operations. Team members included captain cadet Braden Morrison, cadets Ethan Tawwater, Wyatt Moody and Seamus O’Neil. They were mentored by Senior Aerospace Science Instructor Lt. Col. Andy Woodrow.