The Intel Science Talent Search challenges high school seniors to think about using science to solve the problems of today and tomorrow.

This year’s first place winner was 18-year old Erika DeBenedictis, who developed a computer program that shows spacecraft can explore the solar system using much less fuel than previously thought. Erika’s software would help a spacecraft make use of the planets’ gravity and orbits to help it move through space. Spacecraft that use less fuel are lighter and cheaper to launch, which means Erika’s breakthrough could make it easier for scientists to discover cool things about our solar system!