Space Raiders by Dr. Warren Ziegler

FA NEWS

Space Raiders

BY DR. WARREN ZIEGLER USM, DEPT. OF PHYSICS, FA CLUB ADVISOR

Fryeburg Academy’s Space Raiders Club was founded in 2018 by physics teacher Dr. Warren Ziegler for astronomy and space science students. Dr. Ziegler is currently engaged as a Space Scientist with the University of Southern Maine and continues to mentor students from Fryeburg Academy’s Space Raiders Club. He is now working with Mr. Tyler O’Keefe ’14 who has joined as a faculty co-advisor. Despite the pandemic, the Space Raiders have many successful activities and events to report.

This past March, the Space Raiders purchased a 9.25” refractor telescope with a computer-controlled motorized “go-to” mount and camera adapter. Thanks to the generous donations from the Perloff Family Foundation, The Lucas Spencer Passion Fund, and Sally and Jim Gibson of Fryeburg, the purchase was possible. The telescope purchase helps to further our mission for viewing and astrophotography of the planets, stars, galaxies, nebula, and comets. We will be having open viewing events on campus and at the OLRC barn as weather and schedules permit.

The Space Raiders contributed to a successful NASA CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI) proposal to have a Maine-built satellite launched into orbit by NASA (MESAT-1). The Raiders contributed sections on remote sensing, telemetry, and attitude control to the overall proposal. A small satellite launch is worth as

Left to right: Kyle Fairfield ’21, Chris Kwon ’23, Dr. Ziegler, Andrii Obertas ’21, Roze Schenstrom ’22, Peter Nguyen ’21, May Ki-OK Shin ’23, Sophia Sun ’23, Mr. O’Keefe ’14, and Grace Liu ’23. The Space Raiders received generous donations from the Perloff Family Foundation, the Lucas Spencer ’15 Passion Fund, and Sally and Jim Gibson towards the purchase of a new telescope.