Our Project

Astrum

Since developing Astrum’s initial concept design in 2020, we have poured more than a hundred thousand hours into developing this car. Our goal was to reinvent engineering on the University of Michigan Solar Car Team, and we have designed one of the fastest–if not the fastest–solar car in our team’s recorded history.

Astrum represents a new era, a new standard, and a new beginning. Despite the challenges faced by our team and the entire world over the past few years, we are all–together–ready to shoot for the stars.

Pushing the realms of possibility

The Challenge

The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is the World’s toughest and most prestigious solar car event, providing various teams the opportunity to design and build a vehicle that will travel along a 3,000 kilometer route across the Australian Outback, powered only by the energy of the sun.

This past year, the University of Michigan Solar Car Team competed in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, placing 4th in the world after their arrival to Adelaide.

Now, they’re off to the American Solar Challenge, starting July 20th in Nashville, TN. The American Solar Challenge is a test of an entirely different flavor than the World Solar Challenge, taking the car across steep hills, turns, and cities that set it apart from the Australian race. While distinct, this race covers nearly the same distance as the World Solar Challenge, and requires full reliance on the power of the sun.

FAQs

What are Astrum’s specifications?

Dimensions: 5 m by 1.2 m by 1.0 m

Array: 4m2 - Silicon

Battery Pack: 20 kg Lithium Ion

Motor: 2 kW Mitsuba

Wheels: Three 16” Wheels

Chassis: Carbon Fiber Monocoque

What’s new about your car this year?

Astrum is our first 3-wheel monohull, our lightest car ever, and has a brand new nose shape for optimal aerodynamics. We are also super excited to have a 33% increase in solar array efficiency and 25% more battery capacity since our last car.

What is Astrum’s top speed and how efficient is she?

She can drive up to 130 kph (80mph) while only consuming about half the power of a toaster oven, and she has the same amount of drag as a typical side view mirror.

Why are you racing?

The American Solar Challenge is a place where college teams from across the continent push each other to be better through competition. It’s one of the most innovative places on earth, and therefore one of the best places to learn.

Why does Astrum have a battery?

Although ideally we run completely energy neutral on solar power, sometimes we just don’t get enough sun as we would like, depending on the time of day and weather conditions. Therefore, we have a battery that we can pull energy from when we need to.