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We first started the designing and manufacturing of our thirteenth solar car vehicle, MS XIV, in 2018 and have been continuing to work on it since. And Due due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we extended this project cycle until 2022, which is when the next American Solar Challenge will be held. We put in our best efforts to overcome the several challenges which included having limited access to our workbay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, issues in supply chain, and the navigation through knowledge transfer of members that transitioned into advisory positions due to graduation or otherwise.
However, with the design for MS XIV being completed in late 2019 and the start of the pandemic in early 2020, we saw many of our designers step back from their lead positions. Newer members rose to the challenge to fill their shoes to commence manufacturing. But However, we still faced numerous difficulties due to the complexity of the manufacturing process, problem-solving, and design changes.
Thus, we have made the difficult decision to terminate MS XIV and start fresh as a team. While we will not be attending the 2022 ASC with MS XIV, we will be taking the time to reflect on our learnings and put in our best efforts to design a vehicle that will once again, showcase the individual development and technical abilities of Midnight Sun’s students, and continue to push the boundaries of solar transportation.
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