Engineering Update
Engineering Progress Update – Ad Astra STEM Racing
The Ad Astra engineering team has been hard at work over the past few weeks, steadily turning our ideas into reality. Each meeting, design session, and test has brought us one step closer to a competition ready car and while we’re keeping some details under wraps until race day, we’re excited to share a glimpse of our journey so far.
Design & Development
We started by exploring a range of concepts, sketching ideas, building digital models, and discussing how each design might perform. Our process has been a careful balance of creativity and precision making sure our vision not only looks promising but can also be built within competition regulations. Along the way, we’ve discovered how even the smallest changes can have a big impact, and that sometimes the simplest solutions are the smartest.
Collaboration & Problem-Solving
No two days in the workshop are the same. Some days, the conversation flows easily and ideas click instantly. Other days, we hit a wall only to find that a fresh perspective from a teammate is exactly what’s needed to move forward. We’ve learned to celebrate small wins, like finally figuring out a stubborn alignment issue or finding a more efficient way to assemble a part. Those moments remind us that progress isn’t just about the big milestones; it’s about the steady, collective effort that gets us there.
Testing & Improvement
With our early prototypes, we’ve been able to put our ideas to the test literally. Seeing something we designed come to life, even in its rough first form, is always exciting. Testing has given us valuable data and, sometimes, a few surprises. Whether it’s a part performing better than expected or revealing a weakness we hadn’t spotted in CAD, every test is a learning opportunity that feeds back into the next iteration.
Looking Ahead
The weeks ahead will be focused on refinement polishing our design, perfecting our build process, and making sure we’re ready for the competition environment. While we’re holding back the finer details until the big reveal, we can say with confidence that the work so far has set a solid foundation.
From the first sketches to the latest prototype tweaks, this has been a journey of teamwork, resilience, and a shared passion for engineering. We can’t wait to see our hard work on the track and to share the final result with the STEM Racing community.