The College of Engineering has started a fundraising campaign to enable the launch of the Sooner Lunar Schooner by 2010.

The Sooner Lunar Schooner, a rover designed to test the environmental effects of solar radiation and temperature on materials in space, is being built at OU by professors and students.

Dean Hougen, an assistant professor in computer science involved in the schooner's design, said there are a number of possibilities for a launch site but presently Russia and Burns Flat, which is about 130 miles west of Norman, are two contenders.

David Miller, the Wilkanson Chair and professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering, said the college is looking for financial backing from OU supporters and alumni.

"The launch will occur three years after it gets funding," Miller said. "We're hoping to gather funding in the next two years to launch by 2010."

Hougen said the project aims to send two rovers to examine such materials as aluminum, metal and steel that have been left on the moon by the previous missions Apollo 17 and the Russian Lunicod 2.

OU will be light years ahead of any other college's exploration into the great unknown, Miller said.

Sooners on the MoonThe Sooner Lunar Schoonero Meant to examine materials left on the moon by previous missionso Two contenders for launch site: Russia and Burns Flato An Oklahoma launch would require more than $100 million more in funding.

"We are the first university to be involved on a lunar mission to the surface of the moon," he said.

Tim Hunt, a mechanical engineering graduate involved in the design, said 30 years of solar radiation and extreme temperature changes on a surface lacking an atmosphere can have a variety of effects on the materials left there.

He said the results of the findings will enable such projects as the NASA International Space Station to build with materials that will provide more long term facilities.

"We would like to see the Apollo (base) in perfect condition. Then we could build anything on the moon," Hunt said. "Either it's perfect or a lump of powder."

Hougen said the program would like to launch from Oklahoma, but the cost of legal fees and transporting the rocket from Russia would be an expense the program could not afford by itself.

Miller said launching in Oklahoma means a $100 million dollar cost difference.

Hougan said the launch's taking place in Oklahoma will depend on whether or not in-state agencies such as the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority will contribute to the program.

"It would add to the enthusiasm we could generate within the state and about the state," Hougan said.

Hunt said after stock option funding fell through in the private sector, OU's departments picked up the program at a cheaper production price due to student labor.

Students from the aerospace and mechanical engineering programs and computer science program will be credited for the design, the running, maintenance and operation of the equipment once it has reached the moon, Hunt said.

"The professors can have ideas but students do most of the work," Hougen said.

However, funding still remains the biggest obstacle the program must navigate through.

"Everyone says it's a great idea, but no one wants to write a check," Hunt said.
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