| Issue 1 | Volume 146 | Wednesday, September 7, 2016 | theavion.com |
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Photo Courtesy/US Launch Report
The Falcon Fails- Static Test Anomaly Michael Weinhoffer Correspondent
What’s Inside
At 9:07 AM on September 1st, 2016, a SpaceX rocket exploded during the propellant fill stage of a pre-launch static fire test. Fortunately, no one was injured, but both the rocket and the payload were engulfed in several small explosions. The launch was supposed to take place around 3 a.m. on September 3rd. Of course, numerous news sources covered the stories, with some of them being more critical of SpaceX than others. Hopefully this article will give SpaceX the credit it deserves, without embellishing the details of the incident. This mission's objective was the delivery of the 5.5 ton Amos-6 Earth communications satellite to a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), and an attempt at landing the Falcon 9 Full Thrust rocket on a drone ship. A static fire test is conducted before virtually any rocket launch, and entails firing the engines for a few seconds
in order to check that all systems are working. The GTO orbit is the most common orbit for communication satellites, due the orbit matching the rotation of Earth. The owner of the payload was Spacecom, an Israeli communications satellite operator. Spacecom was supposed to be purchased by a larger Chinese communication technology company after the launch, but the failure of the rocket makes the purchase seem unlikely. The payload was the heaviest yet scheduled for launch, so this launch was not entirely routine. SpaceX Founder, and CEO, Elon Musk said that the explosion "originated around [the] upper stage oxygen tank," but no other details regarding the cause of the explosion were available at the time of this writing. The blast also severely damaged the launch pad and cracked a few windows miles away from the site. The rocket was not one that had already been to space, but the incident is still damaging to all of
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the companies involved. Facebook and Frenchbased satellite provider Eutelsat saw Amos-6 as a gateway to test new communication services. Earlier this year, both companies payed a total of $95 million over seven years to lease a high-end broadband capacity featured on the satellite. Facebook intended to use the capacity to help provide internet services for sub-Saharan African countries, while Eutelsat hoped to reach African businesses. A Business Insider headline claimed that the explosion "destroyed Facebook's new satellite," but Facebook never owned the satellite; they simply had a lease of a technological feature. Mark Zuckerberg can express his disappointment, but more attention ought to be put on the owners of the payload, instead of the leasers. Saturday's flight would have been the 29th flight of the Falcon 9 rocket, and this incident was only the 2nd full failure and the 11th total objective failure. The 19th
flight, on June 28th, 2015, failed in flight, and no flights were flown until December of that year. Because this was a pre-flight failure, I would expect the delay to be much shorter. Hopefully another rocket, with the backup unit of Amos-6 or another satellite, will launch before the year's end. Although failures like these are very rare, they always make the headlines and remind all of us of the danger of space exploration,
Despite this failure, SpaceX is certainly not done with flights. Elon Musk had a very bad day, but like in the past, the company will continue to press on with their ambitious plans after a careful assessment of the incident. This failure could have been much worse, and we should all be thankful that no humans were harmed, and hope to see SpaceX overcome this obstacle to reach for the stars once again.
Photo Courtesy/Spacecom The payload the destroyed Falcon 9 was carrying was the AMOS-6 satallite, pictured above. The AMOS-6 would have replaced AMOS-2, which provides TV, radio, and internet services to parts of Europe and Africa.
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particularly in the hands of private companies such as SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, and Blue Origin. Through a discussion in my commercial space operations seminar class, taught by CSO program coordinator Dr. Karl, it was suggested that the cause of the accident was human error. Propellant fill intake readings were most likely not paid close enough attention too, and too much propellant allowed the rocket to explode in an inferno.
Student Presents Research on Capitol Hill
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Executive Board Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Business Manager Photography Editor Advertising Manager
Jaclyn Wiley Micah Knight Sariah Adviento Billy Nguyen Zach Fedewa
Page Editors Front Editor Campus Editor Student Life Editor Opinions Editor Sports Editor Comics Editor Copy Editor
Jaclyn Wiley Micah Knight Keenan Thungtrakul Payton Muglia Olivia Kirk Billy Nguyen Michael Weinhoffer Henry Neiberlier Sariah Adviento Jaclyn Wiley Andy Bronshteyn
Staff Contributors Reporters Photographers
Keenan Thungtrakul Jaclyn Wiley Keenan Thungtrakul Jack Taylor
Correspondents Olivia Kirk, Mike Shekari, Michael Weinhoffer, Miles Bengtson
Staff Advisor Ginny-Beth Joiner, Avion Advisor
Contact Information Main Phone: (386) 226-6049 Ad Manager: (386) 226-7697 Fax Number: (386) 226-6016 Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editor Business Manager Photography Editor Advertising Manager
editor@theavion.com managing@theavion.com news@theavion.com business@theavion.com photo@theavion.com advertising@theavion.com
Website: theavion.com
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ERAU Academic Advancement Center Amina Mahrouch A2 Correspondent Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is dedicated to ensuring that its students have the resources they need to excel academically. Students who need academic assistance can receive free tutoring at times convenient to them at one of the several labs on the Daytona Beach Campus. The Academic Advancement Center (A2) is located on the first floor
of the College of Arts and Science building. A2 offers free specialized tutor labs for Mathematics (Room #103), Physics (102), Engineering Science (104), Matlab (104), Chemistry (101), Business (104) and Communications (105). There is also a general study area in Room #104 where students have access to whiteboards, computers, and colored printers. There is a multitude of tutors who serve the Academic Advancement Center; each tutor
is chosen by a supervisor in the academic department of which the tutor will be assisting. Tutors in the A2 labs must have an A average in the subject matter of which they are teaching and are tested prior to being hired (they know their stuff!). In addition to the designated tutor rooms, the A2 center also offers Supplemental Instruction sessions, which are typically taught by a graduate student. These sessions focus on what a particular class
is going over that week and will answer any questions a student might have regarding that material. Our first day of operation for the fall semester 2016 is Monday, September 5th, 2016 at 6 P.m. A2 is open on Sunday from 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Monday– Thursday from 10 a.m.-9 p.m., and on Fridays from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Don’t be shy! It’s extremely common for students to do their homework in these labs. Just don’t forget to swipe in and out!
groups, making it harder for me to assimilate into the Embry-Riddle community. It took a whole semester for me to forge the bonds I have now with the friends in my closeknit support group. As a fellow student who has gone through the scares and the joys of freshman year, I know the emotions and questions that you may have. My top three tips for any freshman student can be summed up in the following statements: Strike a balance between work and play. The above statement was originally given to me by my youth pastor. As a freshman, I’ve wanted to get involved in any way, shape, or form, just to test the waters. This desire backfired since I found my schoolwork to be too much of a burden. Remember that the goal of college is to get an education
while having fun. Striking a balance between work and play will significantly reduce your overall stress when it comes to academics. Form support groups and find your niche. For me, I relied on religious groups on campus as well as friends back home for support. Those that practice a religion can find support from others that share your beliefs. You will find that the people in these groups do care for you and will give you support when you need it. Even if you aren’t religious, there are still clubs that will welcome you. Attend the Fall Activities Fair, where you will find the clubs that are right for you. At first, I didn’t know what clubs would fit me, but after exploring around the Activities Fair, I was able to find my niche on cam-
pus. Without that niche, I doubt I would have been able to have the friends I have now who are with me every step of the way. Do not over-stress about being a perfectionist. Yes, I know we pay big money to come here. However, that does not mean every hour outside of class is spent either in the books or sleeping to catch up on lost Zs. Academics are important, but they should not dominate your college life. Again, there has to be a balance. Sure you can study all the time and get that 4.0, but you’ll find yourself isolated. Take it from me: I got involved with three clubs my first semester and was still able to get a 4.0. If I can do it, that means you can too! I didn’t have to study all the time, and I made sure to have fun and enjoy myself now and then too!
sors include the Florida NextGen Test Bed, XCOR Aerospace, and the Commercial Space Flight Federation. The conference is currently calling for papers about the topics the conference covers. These subjects include security issues, integration of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles into commercial space, the effects of weather from the prognosis of weather conditions before launch to the effects of space weather, along with several other subjects. Even students whose major does not directly relate to aerospace are invited to attend. To quote Dr. Howard, an associate professor in the Commercial Space Operations Department, “You never know who you’ll meet at a conference!”
Full access registration fees for students registered before October 10th, 2016 is $50; for those registered after October 10th, the fee is $100. Go to http://commons.erau. edu/stm/ to register for this incredible event. Professional dress is required. Commercial Space Operations students may attend with limited access (excluding meals and cocktail receptions), free of charge. They are highly encouraged to participate. CSO Writing Competition Students in the Commercial Space Operations Program are eligible for a writing competition held by the Commercial Space Operations department. To enter, students have to submit a 15003000 word academic paper by September 10. This paper can
be written on anything related to space traffic integration/ coordination/management, either through NAS or in orbit, technical or policy. The winner of this competition will have their paper presented at the STM conference, as well as the Space Generation Advisory Congress, where the winner will act as the Embry-Riddle delegate. The winner of the CSO writing competition will receive free airfare and lodging to attend this conference in Guadalajara, Mexico, and is the premier gathering for young space professionals and students. These papers should be submitted to DBCSO@erau. edu, with the subject line, “STM Writing Competition,” by September 10.
Advice for Freshmen
Keenan Thungtrakul Senior Reporter
I remember coming into Embry-Riddle as a freshman and being naive, scared, and shy. I asked myself after the parents said goodbye, “how will I be able to fit in?” I turned to my roommate and asked him the same question. “We’ll find a way,” he said. After the first three weeks or so of class, I started to sense where I might be able to get a sense of belonging here in this school for nerds. Coming in with a large amount of credits, I found myself taking classes that mostly sophomores would take. While I had my share of the required engineering freshman classes (EGR 101, UNIV 101, etc.), I found myself alone a lot. The other freshmen in my class sections kept to their predefined
STM Conference
Olivia Kirk Correspondent
The Avion is produced weekly during the fall and spring term, and bi-weekly during summer terms. The Avion is produced by a volunteer student staff. Student editors make all content, business and editorial decisions. The editorial opinions expressed in The Avion are solely the opinion of the undersigned writer(s), and not those of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the Student Government Association, The Avion, or the student body. Letters appearing in The Avion are those of the writer, identified at the end of the letter. Opinions expressed in the “Student Government” and “Student Life” sections are those of the identified writer. Letters may be submitted to The Avion for publication, provided they are not lewd, obscene or libelous. Letter writers must confine themselves to less than 800 words. Letters may be edited for brevity and formatted to newspaper guidelines. All letters must be signed. Names may be withheld at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief. The Avion is an open forum for student expression. The Avion is a division of the Student Government Association. The Avion is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press. The costs of this publication are paid by the Student Government Association and through advertising fees. The Avion distributes one free copy per person. Additional copies are $0.75. Theft of newspapers is a crime, and is subject to prosecution and Embry-Riddle judicial action. This newspaper and its contents are protected by United States copyright law. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, in print or electronically, without the expressed written consent of The Avion. Correspondence may be addressed to: The Avion Newspaper, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach, Florida 32114. Physical office: John Paul Riddle Student Center, Room 110. Phone: (386) 226-6049. Fax: (386) 226-6727.
Are you interested in the progression and future of aerospace? Consider going to the 3rd Annual Space Traffic Management Conference; taking place November 16th through 18th at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus. This captivating conference will encompass topics including the integration of space vehicles into the National Airspace System. It is encouraged for students to attend this innovative conference. Not only can they learn all about the exciting field of space traffic management, but also meet some of the professionals in this industry, as well as those related to it. Some of last year’s spon-
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Department Spotlight: A Series on Study Homeland Security Abroad: Introduction Daniel A. Cutrer HS Prgm. Coordinator The fall of 2016 marks the 10th anniversary of the undergraduate degree program in Homeland Security (BSHS) at the ERAU Daytona Beach campus – and what a ride it has been! Starting back in 2006 with only two faculty members and two majors, the BSHS degree has been the fastest growing program in the history of Embry-Riddle, now with 14 full-time/adjunct faculty members, almost 300 majors, and over 120 minors in the program. The BSHS program began in the College of Aviation a decade ago and in 2014, the program merged with the Social Sciences (SS) program to become the Security Studies and International Affairs (SSIA) Department, located in the new College of Arts and Sciences building. One measure of the success of any academic program is the total number of students taking its classes. Many other students at the Daytona Beach campus take HS courses, requiring the program to offer 35 different sections with
over 600 students in seats in HS classes during the spring and fall semesters. The BSHS program has not only grown in numbers but academic offerings as well. Two on-line graduate degrees (Masters of Human Security and Resilience and Masters in Cybersecurity Management and Policy) are now offered via the ERAU Worldwide campus. Additionally, the undergraduate degree in Homeland Security is developing into an online format. This distance learning degree program will be fully operational by the end of 2017 and will offer Homeland Security students a unique option to complete their degree. Since the program’s inception ten years ago, 315 BSHS students have earned their degrees; 92% of the program’s graduates have obtained jobs in their field or have gone on to graduate school within one year of graduation. Along with undergraduate degrees in Homeland Security (HS) and Global Conflict Studies (GCS), the SSIA Department offers several minors such as Terrorism Stud-
ies, Forensic Accounting, International Relations, Emergency Management, and Cybersecurity, to enhance the BSHS degree or any other field of study on campus. The BSHS program offers its students opportunities for exciting internships both domestic and international and also has an active Study Abroad program, visiting a variety of other countries and examining how these nations face the challenges of securing their homeland in today’s turbulent world. In summary, the undergraduate Homeland Security degree program at the Daytona Beach campus is alive and well and offers many exciting and challenging employment opportunities for its graduates. Homeland Security: many missions – one job, to protect the people and property of the United States from all threats and hazards, both foreign and domestic. For more information about our BSHS degree, contact Dr. Daniel Cutrer, Homeland Security Program Coordinator at Daniel.cutrer@erau.edu or (386) 226-7124.
Keenan Thungtrakul Senior Reporter For those who are looking for an opportunity to travel while earning credits, you should consider studying abroad. Conducted during either a summer term, a regular term, or even a full academic year, these programs allow students to immerse themselves in other cultures as well as explore other countries. You might be tempted to think your classes will be held in classrooms at partner universities, but that is not the case for every program. For longterm programs like foreign exchange, you will be based at a partner university and have class there. You will practically “live” in the
other country for the duration of the program. For short-term programs, you will probably have some of your classes at an educational institution, but you might also have class in a public area such as a cafe, a restaurant, a hotel reception center, or even on a beach. One motto for the summer study-abroad programs is “anywhere but a classroom”. That motto held true for the program in which I participated. This program took me on an adventure across parts of Greece, with classes held in a variety of locations, none of which resembled a classroom here on campus. While the setup can mimic a classroom, the surroundings tell you that it is only temporary. This may seem like a
dream come true, but there is a hidden catch behind these colors. Like anything college, it costs big-time money. But the good news is that it’s comparable to standard Embry-Riddle summer tuition. For such a program, it may be the same price or less. A promotion presentation slide from last year said that it cost less to go abroad than it does to stay on campus for the summer. While the program itself costs less, there are still personal expenses to factor in like with any travel plan. For those who can afford this opportunity, by all means consider it. Not only can studying abroad could help you grow personally, but also professionally. More on this along with some anecdotes in next issue’s article.
Keenan Thungtrakul/The Avion Newspaper Imagine being able to take classes and travel to captivating places at the same time. This picture was taken during the 2016 Summer A program in Greece. It is a shot of the town Merichas on the Greek island of Kythnos.
Join the Embry-Riddle Wallyball Family Sara Withrow Correspondent Ten years ago, Mark Barr (‘88, DB) checked out a wallyball net from the ICI Center and set it up in the racquetball courts on the Daytona Beach Campus. Wallyball is similar to volleyball but uses a softer ball and takes advantage of the walls in the racquetball courts. What started with a single game to introduce his wife, Bonnie, a flight attendant at Delta Air Lines, to the fast-paced team sport, became a Saturday night tradition for the Barrs and a growing number of students, many of whom are now EmbryRiddle graduates. Each fall, the Barrs recruit from a new class of freshmen, many of whom live on campus. Their recruitment techniques are informal. As students walk past the courts, Bonnie, Mark or one of their returning players will simply
shout a greeting and welcome them to join in the fun. Word of mouth helps spread the news. In the past, the Barrs have had groups exceeding 20 students. Wallyball club membership varies year to year but frequently includes graduate students and Embry-Riddle faculty, such as Rafael Rodriguez, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, who has played for the past two years. One thing the Barrs have worked hard to maintain is that the club remains “approachable” to all, regardless of skill level. “Our goal is to make sure that everyone can play at the level they are comfortable with. We want it to be fun,” Bonnie says. Supporting the students is the main reason the couple keep coming back with their net and ball every Saturday night. A credit portfolio manager for Ameris-
bank, Mark earned an M.B.A. in Aviation from Embry-Riddle. He completed an undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida in Orlando, where he grew up. “I waffled through the first couple of years of my college experience,” he says. “These students here, I feel like they don’t have time to do that. We want to support them in achieving their goals by providing a healthy, constructive activity for them on the weekends. It’s a way for us to give back.” The Barr’s involvement with the wallyball club extends far beyond the weekly game night. They are a sounding board for students dealing with everything from rising tuition costs, housing and financial aid issues, expiring international visas, stressful classes, and personal problems. They meet with out-oftown parents who come to visit and welcome
Photo Credit: ERAU Wallyball The Embry-Riddle Wallyball club posing in front of their net with one member holding the ball used in the sport.
club members, who don’t have family living nearby, to their home for the holidays. Each year on Thanksgiving, Mark and Bonnie invite the wallyball players to join them in their family tradition: riding the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop by bicycle. “I figure I can eat more turkey if
I ride 23 miles in the morning,” Mark says. Often in the winter, Bonnie brings hot chocolate to the courts. And, the couple frequently pairs a pre-game barbecue with the games. “I estimated since 2006, we’ve spent at least 500 nights here playing wallyball,” Bonnie says.
“We’ve been known to play until 1 a.m. As long as students keep coming, we keep playing.” For more information on playing wallyball at Embry-Riddle, contact Mark Barr at (386) 8718044, or just show up at the courts at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Visit www. wallyball.com for details on this fun sport.
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New COAS Dean on General Education, Women in STEM, Path to Embry-Riddle they can appreciate all aspects of what the world has to offer.” Dr. Gaines discussed her plans for the COAS, which included growing the college’s number of majors and research influence, as well as strengthening the existing degree programs. By doing so, Dr. Gaines aims to not only increase the reputation of the school, but also the opportunities of the students. Dr. Gaines cited her work experience in multiple male-dominated fields and work-places, and said that she had plans to attract more women to Embry-Riddle.
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Another aspect that is near-and-dear to me is the advancement of women in science and math.
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In July, Embry-Riddle appointed a new Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Karen Gaines, after Dr. William Grams, the former Dean, announced his plans to retire. Dr. Grams had led the college since 2007, and has been associated with Embry-Riddle since 1980. “From a large field of highly qualified applicants, the search committee was extremely impressed with Dr. Gaines’ background as a scholar-administrator and her proven record of leadership as the chair of a large department with diverse research interests,” said Dr. Maj Mirmirani, Dean of the College of Engineering and chair of the search committee, when asked about the choice by the Department of Communications. “We found Dr. Gaines to be a compassionate leader with an inclusive style of management. Her clarity of vision and grasp of the challenges and opportunities she will be facing made her the right person to advance the success and continued expansion of the College of Arts & Sciences.” The College of Arts and
Sciences is responsible for most of the general education, which is usually a part of the coursework for new students during their first two years at Embry-Riddle. It also contains five academic Departments, three ROTC units, andmultiple majors. “I feel very comfortable in an environment where we’re giving a basic education, and then developing students in a very intricate fashion to progress towards what they want to accomplish in their career. I love that about this university… I love what Embry-Riddle does,” said Dr. Gaines. Dr. Gaines also stressed the importance of General Education for students, saying that it helps them learn how to communicate effectively and creates a well-rounded knowledge-base. “When I was an undergraduate, I did not appreciate general education either. I completely understand why that component of that College… might not be appreciated when you’re first entering college. But with that said, it is important to build a well-rounded individual.” “The people that achieve the most in what they do have a well-rounded background, so that
Some of those plans include adding degree programs that would attract more women and increasing the on-campus support that women receive, especially in the COAS, so that “they have the confidence to pursue degrees that, maybe, typically women don’t… What is important is that we can build a com-
munity where women feel that they are at home.” Dr. Gaines is currently exploring degree programs that would potentially attract more women, as well exploring into the possibility of creating a
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“I actually started out as a wildlife biologist.”
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Jaclyn Wiley Editor-in-Chief
campus-wide organization, similar to the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) groups that are found on campuses around the country. This group would have a focus on providing mentorship opportunities to women around campus. Dr. Gaines does not have a standard resume for an Embry-Riddle Dean, saying that, “my pathway has been kind of convoluted, which has made it fun.” Dr. Gaines has studied environmental science, forestry, global positioning and geographic information systems, and public health. Dr. Gaines undergraduate studies took place at the State University of New York’s (SUNY) College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), in Syracuse, New York.
According to Gaines, this school had a similar academic environment to Embry-Riddle, with a small student population that was very focused on a given topic, in this case environmental science. Aviation has played a part in Dr. Gaines’ life since her first job, which was with the bird strike unit at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. She later directed the bird-strike unit at the Augusta Regional Airport in Augusta, Georgia. Since her first job at JFK Airport, Gaines says the technology associated with bird-strike prediction and prevention has become more and more sophisticated with the development of superior radar technology and computer modeling of flock migration patterns. Dr. Gaines received her Masters Degree from Purdue University, where she spent time studying the developing field of satellite networks, like the Global Information System (GIS) and the Global Positioning System (GPS). Her focus was on global positioning technology and the geographic positioning systems, was then hired by the US Department of Energy to study and map the environmen-
tal contamination of the Savannah River Site in South Carolina, a nuclear site where weapons-grade nuclear materials were made. These materials went into nuclear weapons, which were not manufactured at that site. “My job was to look at the environmental contamination, map that out, and so my career path started to turn towards toxicology. I learned a lot about health physics, with radio-nucleis and how they get into the body.” She then went on to study public health for her PhD at the University of South Carolina, and how people could be exposed to different hazards. Dr. Gaines was a faculty member at Eastern Illinois University, as well as the Chair of the Biological Sciences Department for seven years. While at Eastern Illinois, Dr. Gaines started a center for geographic information sciences and created curriculum that corresponded with this center at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Dr. Gaines’ office is located within the Dean’s Suite, on the fourth floor of the COAS. For more information, go to http:// daytonabeach.erau.edu/ college-arts-sciences/.
EP Student Presents Research on Capitol Hill Miles Bengston Correspondent
Science, and Competitiveness) to share the research I have been conducting with Engineering Physics Professor Dr. Anatoly Streltsov and fellow student Morgan Matheny on the Van Allen Radiation Belts. The Radiation Belts are a region in the near-Earth space environment populated with highly energetic particles which become trapped in the geomagnetic field. These particles are extremely hazardous for our assets in space as they can degrade circuitry, cause computer logic errors, and endanger the health of astronauts on the International Space Station. We are researching a promising method to remove the radiation using low-frequency electromagnetic waves known as whistlers. The national defense community is particularly interested in this research because the Radiation Belts could be significantly enhanced by
a nuclear device detonated at high-altitude anywhere around the Earth. It is very rewarding to be able to work on highly relevant and challenging problems as an undergraduate researcher and to make contributions to solving those challenges. I first became involved in research as a freshman at Embry-Riddle working on autonomous vehicles. Since then, I have remained involved in research throughout my undergraduate career working on topics including machine vision, cubesatellites, fuel sloshing in microgravity, and magnetospheric physics. These experiences have helped me to develop skills which were helpful during internships and invaluable in shaping my career path. In addition, I have had the opportunity to travel to a number of different conferences around the country and network with other like-minded young scien-
tists. I would highly recommend any incoming students to become involved in undergraduate research early on during their time at Embry-Riddle. There are many opportunities for involvement regardless of your degree program or grade level, and The Office of Undergraduate Research is a phenomenal resource.
I am confident you will find that participating in undergraduate research will be a highlight of your experience at Embry-Riddle. It will be a rewarding experience in and of itself, will help to set you apart from other students, and will further establish Embry-Riddle as a leading aerospace research institution. Left: Miles Bengston meeting a representative in Washington.
Photo Courtesy: Miles Bengston
This spring, I participated in the Posters on the Hill event in Washington, DC sponsored by the Council on Undergraduate Research. It was an honor to be the first student from Embry-Riddle accepted to this competitive program and to represent our university in the nation’s capital. The purpose of the twoday conference is to provide top undergraduate researchers an opportunity to showcase their work to congressional policymakers, meet their representatives, and learn about science advocacy. The highlight of the event was a poster session on Capitol Hill in which sixty students from around the country presented posters on their research to various Senators, Representatives, and science policy leaders. A reception featured a key-
note address from Lujendra Ojha who co-discovered compelling evidence for flowing water on Mars as an undergraduate student. The conference also featured a panel discussion in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (across the street from the White House) with young professionals from the White House Office of Science and Technology. A common theme throughout the event was that undergraduate students are capable of conducting research at an incredibly high level and making significant contributions to the engineering and science communities. While in Washington, I also met privately with Representative Ron DeSantis (FL-6th district), a staffer from Representative Mark Meadow’s office (NC-11th district), and a staffer from Senator Ted Cruz’s office (Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Space,
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War Dogs: Great Dramatic Acting from Comedians Dwayne Clark Correspondent "War Dogs" stars Jonah Hill and Miles Teller as two young guys who decide to take advantage of a program put forth by the United States Government during the Iraq War and become international arms dealers. The film was directed by Todd Philips, (Director of The Hangover Trilogy) and on the surface looks like yet another modern comedy following some dudes who make a dangerous situation seem like a fun time. With "War Dogs", that is however not the case. The film is roughly based on a true story, following the plight of David Packouz (Portrayed by Miles Teller) and Efraim Diveroli (Portrayed by Jonah Hill) and shows us the more
corrupt side of the US's recent wars. The film does have laughs along the way, but it doesn't have enough going for it to categorize it entirely as a comedy. War Dogs is more so a drama with comedic moments. That's not to say the film is boring - it does have enough with its comedy for it to be enjoyable - but not to the levels of a film like 21 Jump Street for example. Jonah Hill was excellent in the film as Diveroli, playing a more serious role compared to his past performances. However, the best takeaway when it comes to acting for the film goes to Miles Teller. After the box office failure that was the Fantastic Four (2015) reboot, Teller proves to us that he truly is an actor with a lot of potential.
Even with two talented actors at the lead and an interesting plot, the film does have some problems. Mainly in the script of the film. The movie is 1 hour and 54 minutes long but feels much longer than that once it gets into the end of the 2nd act and the 3rd begins. And with the film not being strictly a comedy as it was marketed as, many viewers may leave the film disappointed or even bored from the prolonged moments of drama and dialogue. Overall, War Dogs is an entertaining film that informs us of the more shady parts of the Iraq War in a comedic way, yet is overshadowed by its long moments of talking and occasional seriousness. It's worth a watch, but probably not something you'd watch twice.
Photo Courtesy: Warner Bros. Pictures
War Dogs
Israel-Palestine Conflict Part 1: Peace and Nation Building Mike Shekari Correspondent I first became interested in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict approximately a year and a half ago after reading several articles from Stanford University’s student newspaper, The Stanford Review. These articles were about student movements pushing for divestment in companies with ties to the State of Israel to protest Israel’s occupation of the West Bank territories. This interest lead me to study the conflict in great detail and eventually visit the region on a study abroad trip during the summer. The situation in the
region is extremely complex and has many actors both locally and in the international community. In order to explain the situation and conflict in full detail, this is part one of a three-part series. The series will allow readers to gain a complete understanding of the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the difficulties of bringing a resolution. Conflict and war are by their very nature is the exact opposite of peace. However, how do you create peace after a war or other form a conflict? That is where the peace building process comes into play. The best definition for peace building is a set
of actions that will promote a viable and lasting peace. This definition begs for another question; what set of actions must be taken to promote a lasting peace? Unfortunately, the answer is very simple yet very vague, it depends. This is because there is not exact formula for peace to every conflict. It could involve the creation of new states or the dissolution of old ones, replacing systems of governance, levying punishments for crimes during the conflict and payment of reparations to the victims, even simple education and outreach between different parties or any combination in-between
among other things. The other critically necessary task after wars and conflicts is nation building. Nation building can best be described as taking action to build or strengthen a state institution. This is incredibly important because wars and other conflicts reap havoc upon the states that are involved in them. The effects of such havoc can range from visibly destroyed critical infrastructure to far more insidious consequences like a lack of human and material resources to continue governing a state effectively, such as what nearly happened to England in the aftermath of the First and Second World Wars.
In order for a state to function it must possess territory, have a constant population, an organized economy with a state issued currency, a transportation system for goods and people, and a governance that provides social services and enforces laws. Along with being sovereign from any other entity. Generally, roads and other critical infrastructure will have to be repaired or rebuilt after a conflict to restore the national transportation system, such as Germany after World War Two where much of their transportation infrastructure was annihilated by allied bombing. Another possibility
after a conflict is the need to replace a state’s system of governance with another, preferably democratic, one to provide the needed social services such as public health, utilities, and education along with maintaining law and order during and after the state’s recovery from a conflict. An example of this would be Rwanda after the civil war in 1994. These are only two of the possibilities of the actions that could be required to build or strengthen a state in the aftermath of a conflict. The next part of this series will discuss the history and contemporary context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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Upcoming Games: Tuesday No games
Wednesday Men’s Soccer vs Flager College St. Augustine, 7:00 PM
Thursday No games
Friday Women’s Volleyball vs University of Bridgeport West Palm Beach, 12:30 PM Women’s Volleyball vs Lee College West Palm Beach, 7:00 PM
Sports ERAU Volleyball Picks Up Pair of Sweeps
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07 2016
Michael Pierce ERAU Athletics The Embry-Riddle volleyball team earned two victories on Friday, winning both matches in convincing 3-0 fashion. The Blue and Gold rolled over Missouri S&T (25-18, 25-17, 25-17) to open the day before dispatching of Western Oregon (25-22, 25-23, 25-23) in straight sets to improve to 2-1 on the season. The Blue and Gold outhit the Miners .282 to .129 and tallied eight service aces to cruise to a three-set victory to open the day, 25-18, 25-17, 25-17. Paola Virella led the Eagles with nine kills while Asya Oguz and McKenna James each chipped in eight kills. Oguz added a matchhigh three service aces while James and Amanda Saunders each recorded a pair of blocks. Jordan Nakayama tallied 17 assists while Alyssa Rudd picked up 10 as ERAU utilized a 6-2 offense throughout the match. Embry-Riddle jumped
Sunday Women’s Soccer vs Georgia Gwinnett Daytona Beach, 11:00 AM
Monday No games
back-to-back Virella kills put ERAU ahead 20-14. The Blue and Gold never looked back as it closed out the third set with a 25-17 win, completing the 3-0 sweep for the season's first victory. Virella notched 10 kills and 10 digs to register her first double-double as an Eagle and Laina Blanton tallied six kills and seven blocks (one solo) to lead the Blue and Gold to its second 3-0 win of the day (25-22, 25-23, 25-23). Oguz contributed nine kills and nine digs while Maile Spenser collected a team-high 21 digs. Nakayama (20 assists, eight digs) and Rudd (12 assists) once again shared the setting duties for the Eagles. Embry-Riddle used a late 4-0 run, sparked by back-to-back James kills, to take a 20-16 lead in the first set. WOU fought back to cut the lead to 20-19 but the Eagles didn't allow the Wolves to tie the score, eventually pulling out a 25-22 win. Set two saw the Eagles
holding a 23-19 lead late when Western Oregon went on a quick 4-1 spurt to trim the deficit to a single point at 24-23. ERAU escaped with a two-point win as WOU's Mariella Vandenkooy committed an attack error to close out the set at 25-23, giving the Eagles a 2-0 lead in the match. Western Oregon led throughout the opening stages of the third frame until a 6-1 Eagle rally put Embry-Riddle ahead 13-11. A 5-0 run for the Blue and Gold a few minutes later turned a 14-14 tie into a 19-14 advantage. The Wolves knotted the score at 22-22 before ERAU scored three of the final four points to wrap up the set and the match with a 25-23 win, completing the sweep. The Eagles return to the court next weekend at the Hyatt Place Bash at the Beach hosted by Palm Beach Atlantic. Embry-Riddle will face Bridgeport and Lee on Friday, Sept. 9 in West Palm Beach to open up the two-day tournament.
ERAU Women’s Soccer Opens 2016 with 2-0 Win
Saturday Men’s Soccer vs Francis Marion University Florence, South Carolina, 5:00 PM Women’s Volleyball vs McKendree West Palm Beach, 5:00 PM
out to an early 7-3 lead in the first set and never trailed from that point. The Miners cut the deficit to a single point (9-8), but ERAU went on an 11-4 run to take a commanding 20-12 lead and sailed to a 25-18 first set win. Set two was much more competitive throughout, featuring 10 ties and nine lead changes. A kill by Oguz put ERAU ahead 12-11, marking the last lead change of the frame. That kill came in the midst of a 5-0 run that pushed the Eagle advantage to 15-11. After a pair of Miner points made it 15-13, the Blue and Gold went on a big run, scoring on eight of the next nine rallies to build its lead to 23-14 en route to a convincing 25-17 win and a 2-0 lead in the match. In the final set, Embry-Riddle overcame an early 2-0 hole to quickly take control of the set with an 11-4 lead. Missouri S&T fought back and eventually drew level at 13-13, but a 7-1 Eagle run capped by
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vs Embry-Riddle: 2 Ryan Mosher ERAU Athletics Andrea Froshaug provided the offensive spark for the Embry-Riddle women's soccer team on Saturday night, scoring twice to give the Eagles (1-0) a 2-0 neutral site victory over Mississippi College (0-1). The game, held at Saint Leo University, was played on a turf field after Hurricane Hermine pushed the weekend's game schedule around, and the teams struggled to find much offense in the first period, but the senior Froshaug gave ERAU a lead in the 56th minute before sealing the match with a 90th minute score. "Hats off to Mississippi College, as they provided a tough opening game of the 2016 season for us," Head Coach Samantha Bohon-
Mississipi College: 0 said. "This was an appropriate introduction to our season, starting off with this tough of a game because we know how challenging NCAA II soccer is, especially the Sunshine State Conference." It was Froshaug who recorded the first shot of the 2016 season in the second minute, but a nice save from MC keeper Andrea McDonald kept the Eagles off the scoreboard early on. A pair of ERAU corner kicks in the 12th and 18th minutes netted no results. Each team had a fantastic chance to take a lead late in the first half on breakaways, but both defenses came up big with chase downs, leaving the score 0-0 at the break. It was the Choctaws with a 3-2 advantage in shots in the first half, but just one shot from either team was on frame.
Bohon's adjustments at the break resulted in the Eagles almost immediately capitalizing when Froshaug had a good opportunity in the 47th minute, but her shot sailed wide. A couple of corner kicks backto-back for the Choctaws were well-defended by the Blue and Gold around the 52nd minute and Embry-Riddle went up 1-0 a few moments later when Victoria Gustafsson passed to Froshaug towards the right side of the box, and when the ball deflected off a MC defender, Froshaug was there on the end of it and beat the keeper for the first goal of the year. The Eagles kept the pressure up on MC's McDonald with shots from Gustafsson and Stine Næss Berge being saved. Another Gustafsson shot was saved by McDonald six minutes later and the Eagles kept the ball in the MC defensive half for the majority of the next 20 minutes. Over the final 10 minutes the tide began to turn towards Mississippi College as the Choctaws looked desperate for the equalizer, and nearly had it when Lauren Smith's shot hit off the crossbar at the 82:58 mark. A header from Caitlin Hayes went wide left with
just over a minute to go and the resulting corner kick was cleared out by the Eagles, past the Choctaw defenders and the keeper who had come up on the corner. Froshaug got to the ball first and raced three-quarters of the way down the pitch with nobody able to catch her, putting the ball into the goal with four ticks left on the clock for a 2-0 Eagle lead. Froshaug moved into a tie for fifth all-time on the alltime goals' list with her 34th and 35th goals of her career, tying Krizzy Menez (2009-12) The Eagles out-shot the Choctaws, 11-8 with ERAU keeper Fanny Kristiansson making one save in her first career start in goal for the Blue and Gold. "We're still really young and have plenty to work on going forward," Bohon said. "But I was very pleased with our effort and our willingness to compete tonight. It is always nice to start the season off with a win and now we turn towards recovering in time for a very talented Armstrong State team on Monday." Embry-Riddle returns home to Daytona Beach to host Armstrong State on Monday, Sept. 5 at 6 p.m.
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ERAU Volleyball Falls ERAU Women’s Soccer in Four to Concordia Tops Daytona State 1-0 in Season Opener vs Concordia: 3 Michael Pierce ERAU Athletics Ella Duggan tallied nine kills and hit a blistering .667 but the Eagles couldn't overcome Brenna Huwe's 22 kills as she led Concordia to a 3-1 (25-14, 25-21, 18-25, 25-17) victory over Embry-Riddle in both team's first match of the 2016 campaign. Asya Oguz added eight kills and nine digs while Paola Virellachipped in seven kills and a teamhigh 11 digs in her ERAU debut.Jordan Nakayama racked up 28 assists as the team's primary setter and
ERAU:1 also contributed 10 digs. Concordia used a 7-1 run to take control of the first set at 19-12 and the Cavaliers would go on to a 25-14 win to take a 1-0 lead in the match. The second set was much closer, with ERAU scoring three straight points to tie the set at 18-18 and maintaining a level standing with CU at 20-20. The Cavaliers closed out the frame on a 5-1 spurt keyed by backto-back service aces from Allie Spear to move ahead two sets to none. After falling behind 8-5, Embry-Riddle rattled off
nine of the next 11 points to take a 14-10 lead, and the Blue and Gold didn't look vback, finishing off the set in convincing fashion with a 25-18 win to send the match to a fourth set. A 5-0 run midway through the fourth frame put CU ahead 14-9, which proved to be a lead that the Cavaliers would not surrender. The Eagles kept the set score within six points for the duration, but Concordia would eventually win by a 25-17 score to secure the 3-1 match victory. The Eagles return to the court in Portland tomorrow as they wrap up the Concordia-Portland Labor Day Tournament with a pair of matches. First up is a 12:30 p.m. contest against Missouri Science & Technology, followed by a 5:30 p.m. meeting with Western Oregon.
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ERAU: 1 ERAU Athletics The Embry- Riddle women's soccer team wrapped up its preseason slate with a 1-0 win over Daytona State, Sunday in front of a capacity crowd at the EmbryRiddle Soccer Stadium. First half statistics showed the Eagles with a 5-3 edge in shots over
Daytona State: 0 the Falcons, and the Blue and Gold controlled much of the possession in the first 45 minutes of action. The Eagles did not record a shot on frame in the opening stanza, but sophomore Guro Naess Berge opened the second period that forced DSC goalkeeper Kristina Shores to
come up with a save less than three minutes into the half. In the 54th minute, Andrea Froshaug received the ball about 25 yards from the goal and took the ball into the box where she was brought down by a Falcon defender. Naess Berge took the resulting penalty kick and gave the Eagles the only score they needed to come away with the win. The Eagles officially open the 2016 campaign at home at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday when they host Armstrong State at the Embry-Riddle Soccer Stadium.
Michael Nisip/The Avion Newspaper Embry-Riddle Women’s soccer team plays against Stetson Univerisity in spring 2015
ERAU Athletics to Induct Fifth Hall of Fame Class ERAU Athletics
Jack Taylor/The Avion Newspaper Embry-Riddle Number 15 spikes the bal1in a home game, fall 2015.
The Embry-Riddle Athletics department is currently seeking nominations for the 2017 Athletics Hall of Fame. The Eagles' fifth Hall of Fame class will be officially inducted in a ceremony to be held on Friday, Feb. 3, 2017. The purpose of the
ERAU Athletics Hall of Fame is to honor and pay tribute to the sports traditions of this University by giving recognition to former athletic letterwinners, teams, coaches and distinguished persons who have made exceptional contributions to the Athletics program of the University. Nominations for the
Athletics Hall of Fame are now being accepted. The nomination form along with the categories and criteria can be found online by clicking on the link below. Inductees may include former student athletes, coaches, teams and/or distinguished members. Nominations must be received by Oct. 7, 2016.
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