From launch to landing, the #StudentLaunch challenge (run by #NASAMarshall) has helped many students find their future careers! ??
One of those students is Niraj Patel, a current aerospace engineer at NASA Glenn Research Center and a former student launch competitor at The Ohio State University.
So, how did his journey begin? "I knew joining a Student Launch team would provide me with valuable hands-on experience and critical real-time problem-solving skills all during college, an opportunity that’s not easily accessible through traditional coursework," Patel said. "It’s one thing to read and learn about rockets, but building and launching one is a completely different experience especially on a freezing cold Saturday in Ohio!"
As a part of the #ArtemisGeneration, he was inspired to contribute to the mission, which led him to NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration. "I never imagined being at NASA this early in my career, especially right out of college," Patel told us. "However, being a member of Student Launch has been a key milestone in this journey, as it exposed me to NASA’s engineering design process."
He is helping NASA Glenn with the Human Landing System (HLS) site availability for the upcoming #Artemis missions. "The mission of returning to the Moon isn’t just about revisiting what was done in the 1960s—it’s about going farther and establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon," Patel remarked. "To me, it represents a new era of exploration, innovation, and international and commercial cooperation."
He's not finished with his high-powered rocketry journey yet. Patel said he is working on getting his Level 3 Certification and would encourage those on the fence to get involved with Student Launch. "What's even better than building rockets is doing it alongside some incredible people who end up becoming lifelong friends and family!"
?? Find out more about the 25 years of Student Launch at https://lnkd.in/eZiYC9ea