Join Us At The Human To Mars Conference May 9-11 2017

March 24, 2017 By groundcontrol Leave a Comment

We are excited to be partnering with Explore Mars for their Human To Mars conference in Washington, D.C. May 9-11^th for a second year. Our founder and leader, Astronaut Abby will be speaking at the conference on May 9^,2017, and you can come hear her speak.

We have a special 15% discount code for everyone in our community Discount code: TMGMars

TMG members get 25% off the conference. Please email groudsupport@themarsgeneration.org to get your special discount code. if you would like to become a member to get this and other discount codes go to our membership page: http://themarsgeneration.org/membership/

Want to learn a little more? Watch the video of Astronaut Abby’s presentation at the conference last year here:

This is an exciting event you do not want to miss, visit http://h2m.exploremars.org/ and sign-up today.

NASA Orion Parachute Test 2017: The Mars Generation Reports

March 9, 2017 By groundcontrol Leave a Comment

Photo by NASA

We are thrilled to have had The Mars Generation member Jeff Herold onsite at the NASA 2017 ET and join us as a guest writer.

Please visit our “Get Involved” page to learn more about how you can volunteer and/or join The Mars Generation. Let’s go to Mars!

*** Please note guest submissions are options of the author and do not necessarily reflect the mission or beliefs of The Mars Generation.

Experiencing the Parachute Test

On Tuesday, March 7th, 2017, I drove three hours from Phoenix to Yuma with my friend, Perry the Peregrine (@STEMFalcon). We shared a room for the night and woke up very early on Wednesday to meet Chuck Wullenjohn, Public Affairs Officer for the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, and Laura Rochon, NASA Johnson Space Center Public Relations Officer. As a member of the press representing The Mars Generation, I was among other local and regional reporters, including a Canadian group working for the Discovery Channel.

Mr. Wullenjohn briefed our group with some Dos and Don’ts, and even shared how unique the Yuma Proving Ground is due to its size. It is over 1,300 square miles in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and includes a wildlife preserve in the middle of it. What makes the Yuma Proving Ground different from other proving grounds around the world is that the restricted airspace extends all the way to outer space! That means high-altitude tests can be done without interference from commercial aircraft flying overhead.

My first interview was with Dustin Neill, engineer from Lockheed Martin, who was very eager to share his passion for the Orion program and his team’s role in developing and testing the parachute system. He loved answering the questions sent on behalf of The Mars Generation and gave some details on what the parachute systems were made of and how they worked.

Former Navy test pilot and current Commander in the U.S. Navy, Victor Glover is a member of the newest astronaut group for NASA. He was enthusiastic about the Journey to Mars and also answered some questions sent to The Mars Generation. These questions mostly concerned challenges Orion may face during its missions as well as what parachute improvements have been made for Orion over the past few years.

After a couple of test flyovers, a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, which is a large military transport aircraft, released the Orion capsule mockup at about 25,000 feet. The capsule reached speeds of about 130 mph, deployed several sets of drogue chutes and the main parachutes, before landing gently on the ground.

I was able to get very close to the capsule and parachutes after the initial check by the recovery team. It was an amazing sight to see the Orion perched on a slight angle with the giant parachutes stretched out in front of it. Dozens of engineers were there to take measurements, collect computer data, and eventually roll up the parachutes to be used for a future test.

This experience was unlike anything I’ve seen before and I am honored to have been representing The Mars Generation on this historic day of the Orion parachute drop test.

Jeff Herold is in his 17th year of teaching. He has taught everything from kindergarten through 12th grade and community college. Currently, he teaches S.T.E.M. to 7th and 8th graders at Hillcrest Middle School in Glendale, Arizona. While not volunteering at local elementary schools at their science nights, he enjoys paragliding, attending professional development, and spending time with his family. His favorite student is his 6th grade son, Skyler.

Jeff is the 2015 Arizona Air Force Association Teacher of the Year and 2015 Arizona Challenger Space Center Educator of the Year. Jeff is a member of The Mars Generation Student Space Ambassador Planning Committee and the Train Like a Martian Planning Committee. You can follow his S.T.E.M. adventures on Twitter @STEMJeff.

Submit Questions: TMG Attends Upcoming Orion Spacecraft Parachute Test

March 5, 2017 By groundcontrol Leave a Comment

We are excited to have our STEM advisor, Jeff Herold representing The Mars Generation at NASA’s upcoming Orion Spacecraft parachute test on March 8, 2017. Jeff was able to gain media credentials from NASA through The Mars Generation.

Jeff will get an up close viewing of the test as well as an opportunity to interview engineers, scientists and others involved in NASA’s Journey To Mars. This is a great opportunity to ask your questions and/or have your students submit questions and/or your own kids. Don’t miss the chance to be a part of this fun adventure. Tune in for the test on Twitter for live updates follow @TheMarsGen and search the #OrionTMG hashtag. You do not need to be a registered Twitter user to search and follow a hashtag. Share the updates with your students and/or your kids. Click here to submit questions for Jeff.

Here is Jeff’s blog post about this event:

On Wednesday morning, March 8th, at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, I’ll be reporting on the second airdrop test of the Orion Spacecraft with it’s two low-speed drogue parachutes and three main parachutes as it prepares for landing the capsule. About a year ago, I was fortunate enough to visit the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas to see the facility where the parachutes are designed and manufactured. This time, I will be a witness to seeing them in action!

This is an important step on our journey to Mars and I am honored to be representing The Mars Generation at this exciting event. However, I need your help. Before and after the drop test, I will be interviewing NASA scientists and engineers about the parachutes and I want to ask any questions you may have. This is your chance to not only learn about the test, but to be a part of history by asking questions about the parachutes, the Orion capsule, or anything related to our journey
to Mars.

If you have a question you’d like me to ask fill out this form and I’ll take them with me on my trip to Yuma, Arizona on Wednesday. I look forward to asking the representatives from NASA your direct questions. Answers will be found on Twitter. Search the hashtag #OrionTMG

For more information about the drop test event check out the NASA press release about this event.

About Jeff Herold

Jeff Herold is in his 17th year of teaching. He has taught everything from Kindergarten through 12th grade and community college. Currently, he teaches S.T.E.M. to 7th and 8th graders at Hillcrest Middle School in Glendale, Arizona. While not volunteering at local elementary schools at their science nights, he enjoys paragliding, attending professional development, and spending time with his family. His favorite student is his 6th grade son, Skyler.

Upcoming Live Web Chat with Boeing SLS Engineer Myron Fletcher and Astronaut Abby

December 31, 2016 By groundcontrol Leave a Comment

On January 11, 2017 we will be hosting a live web chat with host, Astronaut Abby, founder of The Mars Generation and TMG board member Myron Fletcher, Boeing Rocket Propulsion Engineer. Scroll to bottom of the post to learn more about Myron’s impressive career.

You watch the live event here from 2:00pm-3:00pm ET January 11, 2017.

And if you are a member of The Mars Generation you can sign up for a chance to win a slot as one of the additional guests of the chat. Members can also submit questions to be asked during the chat on the sign up form. This is a members only benefit. To learn about membership and sign up please click here.

If you are chosen you will join this live Google Hangout and be able to ask questions to Myron and Abby directly. This is one of he benefits of becoming a member. It’s not too late to sing up for a membership today and put your name in this drawing. Click here for more information.

If you are a TMG member you can sign up for a chance to be part of this chat here. Deadline for signing up is midnight ET January 9, 2017.

About Myron Fletcher, Boeing Rocket Propulsion Engineer

Myron is a Boeing early career employee from Tuskegee University who holds a Bachelors of Science in Aerospace Science Engineering with a Minor in Physics (2013). He was selected for his passion for human space exploration, and ambitious research projects already under his belt during internships and assistantships. As a student, he worked on the fabrication of carbon/epoxy, developed simulations to model solar sail trajectories and control systems for deep space missions, performed wind tunnel tests on how different shapes affected drag, studied development of a biodegradable rocket for a NASA standard payload, and researched and designed a useable UAV for scientific research. At Boeing he now uses those experiences as a rocket design and propulsion engineer. Myron is responsible for the design and development of the Debris Screen A.K.A “debris catcher” for the Boeing Space Launch System core stage propulsion team and the Propellant Feed Filter and Hydrazine Filter for the Exploration Upper Stage – which are all critical components of the systems. Myron is also pursuing his Master of Science Engineering Management Degree from Duke.

Press Release: The United Arab Emirates Space Agency Invites 19-Year-Old Founder of The Mars Generation to Tour the Emirates Mars Mission and Space Center

November 30, 2016 By groundcontrol Leave a Comment

The United Arab Emirates Space Agency Invites the 19-Year-Old Founder of The Mars Generation to Tour the Emirates Mars Mission and Space Center

Hoping to be a member of the first human crew to land on Mars in the 2030’s, an aspiring astronaut and social media darling works with leaders of the UAE to foster interest in STEM and space exploration

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn NOVEMBER 30, 2016 /PRWeb/ Abigail Harrison, also known as Astronaut Abby, American STEM education and space exploration advocate, will meet with leaders of the United Arab Emirates Space Agency and tour the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC). Harrison is there specifically to view and experience the Hope Mars Probe program due to launch in 2020.

“It is an honor to be invited to tour the UAE Space Agency and see first-hand the commitment of this agency to the future of space. I am looking forward to gaining a personal view of the upcoming work the UAE is doing in Mars exploration with their Mars Hope Probe and other programs,” said Harrison. “Getting humans to Mars is something that will require collaboration among nations and private industry and I am honored to be a part of helping to share the Emirates Mars Mission with the world while representing my country.”

Touting a social media audience of over 600,000 fans and followers, Harrison is a recognized as a leader in her generation, the Mars generation – identified as the generation expected to first step foot on Mars in 2030.

Emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in the field of space exploration and inspiring youth toward a future in STEM and space, the UAE Space Agency has invited the 19-year-old aspiring astronaut to:

Tour the Emirates Mars Mission – the Hope Probe currently in the manufacture stages at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC.
Meet with leaders of the UAE Space Agency and tour the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre.
Tour several UAE universities and meet with students and faculty collaborating with the UAE Space program.
Speak at Project Space January 24-25, 2017. This prominent space industry event brings the finest minds in the space sector to Dubai to share knowledge, ideas, their discoveries, and their hopes for an industry that will define the future of humanity. Renowned planetary scientist and leader of the NASA Cassini imaging science team, Dr. Carolyn Porco and Caltech Professor of Planetary Astronomy, Dr. Michael Brown and many other notable speakers, will join Harrison.
Tour Dubai and see local history and attractions to gain an understanding of the culture and people.

Commenting on the forthcoming visit of Abigail Harrison, Mona Al Qemzi, Assistant Director General at MBRSC, said: “Young people represent an important influence for STEM and space exploration. We are delighted to host a bright, motivated, and inspiring voice of the Mars generation and we look forward to having Abby share her stories with our community and agency.”

To tune into Harrison’s unprecedented UAE tour January 14 – January 26, 2017 follow the hashtag #TMGtoursUAE on Twitter and check out all her social media channels listed on her blog at AstronautAbby.com.

About Abigail Harrison

Harrison is the founder of The Mars Generation nonprofit. Currently a sophomore at Wellesley College in Massachusetts majoring in Astrobiology and Russian, Harrison is positioned to enter a PhD program upon graduation and continue her pursuit of becoming a scientist, astronaut and member of the first human crew to land on Mars in the 2030’s. Supporters around the world follow her journey to becoming an astronaut via the blog Harrison authors at AstronautAbby.org.

About The Mars Generation

The Mars Generation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the United States. The organization is volunteer-driven with a board of directors that includes astronauts, engineers, scientists and professionals from the nonprofit and business communities. With a reach of more than 10 million people in the organization’s first year of operation and more than 600 students from around the world participating in its Student Space Ambassador program, over 600 donors, 350 members and several space industry sponsors in place, the organization continues to grow and offer programs to excite and educate students and adults about the importance of human space exploration and STEM education.

About the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC)

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) was created and established by the Dubai Government in 2015. The Centre is integral to the strategic initiative put in place by the government to inspire scientific innovation, technological advancement, and to advance sustainable development in Dubai and the wider UAE. The Centre is comprised of a team of leading UAE engineers, analysts and experts all working towards positioning the UAE as an internationally renowned leader within the field of science and technology. By developing new technology, expertise, and intellectual property, it is hoped that the UAE can emerge as a global front-runner within the industry.

As part of the United Arab Emirates’ commitment to their space program, the Arab nation plans to send a probe to Mars in 2020. The Emirates Mars Mission – Hope Probe is currently in the manufacture stages at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC). The probe will journey to the Red Planet to study the climate and the reasons behind the deterioration of the Martian atmosphere. The data will then be shared with the global space and scientific communities. The UAE has prioritised the space sector as being one of the key components of its drive towards a sustainable post-oil economy.

About the partnership between NASA and the UAE Space Agency

In June 2016 NASA and the UAE Space Agency formalized cooperation in the exploration of Mars as the first field of collaboration between the agencies by signing an Implementing Arrangement under the Framework. The Implementing Arrangement establishes a joint steering group to guide discussions about potential future projects that contribute to exploring the Red Planet.

Media Contact:
Yvonne Hundshamer
612-670-0337
groundsupport@themarsgeneration.org

Check Out NASA’s Education Express Program

November 22, 2016 By groundcontrol Leave a Comment

One goal of The Mars Generation is to try to help keep students, educators and parents in the loops with opportunities in STEM and space. NASA has a great program to help keep people up to date that we want to share called the NASA Education Express program.

NASA’s Education Express program shares the agency’s education opportunities with people who sign up to receive notifications. This mailing list is targeted to educators and students but is also useful for parents or anyone who has a kid in their life who is passionate about space. Some of the events they cover are the NASA Swarmathon, which is a robotics competition for college students; a professional development workshop for educators at the Goddard Space Flight Center; and the celebration for World Space Week 2016. To sign up for the Education Express mailing list, click here.

You can also follow NASA’s Education program via their Twitter account, @NASAedu.

Live Twitter #MarsChat: Give to Mars Day 2016

November 16, 2016 By groundcontrol Leave a Comment

We are so excited to be hosting our annual Give to Mars Day event and Potato Challenge for the second year on November 17, 2016. The annual Potato Challenge and Give to Mars Day are such an exciting events that bring awareness to the importance of STEM education and human deep space exploration to people all over the world, while also raising funds to support our programs at The Mars Generation including sending kids with economic need to Space Camp on unique 100% paid scholarships that include transportation.

You can follow the live stream of the event by following the hashtag #PotatoChallenge here.

We are excited be continuing in our tradition of holding a #MarsChat on Twitter

Our founder Astronaut Abby will be hosting the chat and answering questions too! But this year we thought why host one chat when we can host 3! Follow the #MarsChat hashtag at the following times and feel free to submit questions for each of our guests during the chat:

1:00pm CST Astronaut Abby with special guest Joe Cassidy, Executive Director of Space Programs Aerojet Rocketdyne, Twitter: @MarsJoe (see bio below)

6:00PM CST Astronaut Abby with special guest Morgan Irons, Duke University undergraduate student and founder of Deep Space Ecology, LLC, and a leader of The Mars Generation Student Space Ambassador Program Twitter:@dukemorganmars (see bio below)

8:30PM CST Astronaut Abby with special guest Andrew Rader PhD, Aerospace Engineer at Space X, Twitter: @marsrader (see bio below)

Join us for a fun Q&A, and have the opportunity to ask some of your own questions.

Astronaut Abby, Founder of The Mars Generation, aspiring scientist and astronaut

Abigail Harrison, a.k.a. Astronaut Abby, is a sophomore at Wellesley College. She is studying Astro-Biology and Russian and working toward becoming a scientist and eventually a NASA astronaut.

Five years ago, Abby began sharing her dream of becoming one of the first astronauts to Mars online and today she has built a community of more than a half million followers and fans who support her dream and the dreams of many other amazing young people. To expand this community of support, Abby established a worldwide outreach initiative to engage students across the world about space, STEM and reaching for one’s dreams. She turned this outreach program into The Mars Generation (themarsgeneration.org) – a nonprofit with a goal to serve as a catalyst to identify students with an interest in these areas and nurture their study in STEM education.

Abby is recognized as a leader in the space community, working as a space ambassador herself with a focus on educating and exciting people around the world about the importance of space exploration to the future of humankind. To find Abby, visit her website at www.AstronautAbby.com

Joe Cassidy, Executive Director of Space Programs Aerojet Rocketdyne

Joe Cassady is the Executive Director of Space Programs in the Washington DC Operations for Aerojet Rocketdyne, where he helps oversee strategy development and architectures for future space and launch systems. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Purdue University as well as a Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering at the George Washington University. He has 33 years of experience in propulsion and mission and systems analysis, and has authored more than 50 technical papers dealing with electric propulsion, power and attitude control systems and mission analysis. His experience includes flight projects for both the U.S. Air Force and NASA. In addition, he has served on a number of advisory groups for NASA and the Department of Defense. He is an Associate Fellow of the AIAA; vice-president of the Electric Rocket Propulsion Society; and serves on the board of directors for ExploreMars, a non-profit dedicated to STEM and human Mars exploration.

Morgan Irons, Founder of Deep Space Ecology LLC

Morgan Irons is a senior at Duke University, majoring in environmental science and biology with a chemistry minor. For two years, she has been performing research on closed ecological systems for space habitation. Morgan founded the company, Deep Space Ecology LLC, to solve the problems surrounding sustainable human settlement in space by creating marketable solutions for sustainable living on Earth. She serves as the Chief Science Officer, with her main projects currently centered on the pre-treatments required to grow plants and allow organisms to live in regolith conditions.

Andrew Rader, PhD, Aerospace Engineer Space X

Andrew Rader is an Aerospace Engineer with a PhD in human spaceflight from MIT (2009). He’s also a Game Designer, Author, Youtuber, and winner of Discovery Channel’s #1 series Canada’s Greatest Know-it-All. Andrew is an avid trivia player and public speaker, occasionally giving talks at schools, convention panels, museums, and other venues. His Youtube series ‘Cooking on Mars’ describes the strangest kids of foods we might eat on Mars. His latest venture is Mars Rover Rescue, a children’s book about a team of space explorers who head to the red planet to search for a missing rover (out xmas 2016, available on Kickstarter now at www.rover-rescue.com).

Why Mars? Explore Mars Answers the Persistent Question

November 10, 2016 By groundcontrol Leave a Comment

In a new series of op-ed pieces titled “Why Mars?” that is being published in the Huffington Post, representatives selected by the nonprofit group Explore Mars will discuss reasons we should continue on the Journey to Mars. The series features space enthusiasts from a variety of backgrounds–including The Mars Generations’s (TMG) Founder and President Astronaut Abby – including scientists, an astonruat and other STEM professionals.

TMG is a partners with Explore Mars, a nonprofit that aims to advance humanity’s path to the red planet. Explore Mars is the host of the annual Humans to Mars Summit in Washington D.C., where Astronaut Abby spoke earlier this year. Chris Carberry, the CEO of Explore Mars, believes that “the United States – including government, industry, academia, and the general public ― and our international partners are on the verge of moving forward with one of the most significant and awe-inspiring endeavors in human history” so they want to explain to the general public why this mission is important.

The Why Mars Series will feature a total of 11 pieces over the course of 10-12 weeks.

Check back weekly as we add all the posts in this Why Mars Series here for easy reference.

Why Mars? An Introduction To A 10-Part Series On Sending Humans To Mars – By Chris Carberry, CEO Explore Mars

Why Mars? An Astronaut’s Perspective – By John M. Grunsfeld, Astronaut, Scientist, Explorer

We Should Explore Mars So That Our Students Will Keep Dreaming Big – By Janet Ivey, Ceo Janet’s Planet

The Mars Generation: Why We Must Go To Mars – By Abigail Harrison/Astronaut Abby, Founder and President The Mars Generation

Why Study Mars? To Better Understand The Earth – By Philip Christensen, Professor of Planetary Geoscience, Arizona State University

My Personal Mission To (And For) Mars – By Clementine Poidatz, Actress

Why Mars Can Be Attractive And Affordable – By Joe Cassidy, Executive Director for Space Programs, Washington Operations, Aerojet Rocketdyne

Why Mars?- A Perspective From The United Arab Emirates – By Talal Kaissi Director of U.S.–U.A.E. Space Affairs, Embassy of the United Arab Emirates

Why Mars? To Discover How Life Originates – By Ramses Ramirez,Planetary Scientist and Astrobiologist, Carl Sagan Institute at Cornell University

Why Mars? Because It Will Change Our World For The Better – By Mary Lynn Dittmar, Executive Director, Coalition for Deep Space Exploration

Why Mars? For Today’s Students, Exploring Mars Represents So Much More Than The Red Planet Itself – By Lance Bush, President and CEO, Challenger Center

The Mars Generation Founder Named 20 Under 20 STEAM Pioneer

November 8, 2016 By groundcontrol Leave a Comment

We are excited to announce that our founder, Abigail Harrison, has been chosen as one of Ford and Huffington Post’s 20 Under 20 Next Generation of STEAM Pioneers for 2016. Harrison, known online as Astronaut Abby, has been recognized for her outreach work with The Mars Generation and her involvement in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM).

It is an honor to lead my generation, the Mars generation, to this new frontier, Mars. I hope to someday be the first person to step foot on the red planet or to inspire the person who does take those first steps. – Abigail Harrison

The Huffington Post teamed up with Ford Motor Company and assembled this list of “the most impressive under-20-year-olds to show you the next generation of the best and brightest innovators.” Among those listed there are inventors, scientists, coders, artists and so many other young leaders. We are thrilled to see such a strong group of leaders included and to have our founder and organization recognized for our work.

Harrison’s work to build our organization, The Mars Generation, has been very successful. As a brand new organization we had a reach of over 10 million people in our first year, have over 600 donors, 350 members, 600 Student Space Ambassadors and continue to grow our Space Camp scholarship program. This work has helped to advance the excitement and understanding of the importance of STEAM education and human space exploration to the future of humanity. As a community we are proud to work with Harrison to accomplish these goals.

I appreciate the recognition from Ford and Huffington Post and want to thank every person who has been a supporter of my work which includes the advisory board, volunteers, donors, members, students who are part of The Mars Generation and the over 600,000 people following my journey to Mars online. It is their support and hard work and dedication that has made this organization such a huge success that continues to change the world. – Abigail Harrison

Please check out the announcement on the Huffington Post website under their What’s Working Inspiration Generation series presented by Ford Motor company and learn about the amazing group of individuals that have been making a name for themselves in STEAM while chasing their dreams before reaching the age of 20.

Potatoes and Space Camp: Why We Need You

November 3, 2016 By groundcontrol Leave a Comment

The power of The Mars Generation Space Camp Scholarship program is best seen through the effects on the scholarship recipients. The program helps students with limited financial resources who have talent in STEM a once in a lifetime opportunity to attend Space Camp. The scholarships not only cover the tuition of the camp which is approximately $1,000, it also covers transportation and flight suits and spending money too! We are dedicated to bringing this experience to as many students as possible with a hopes to inspire students to reach for the stars.

Please consider joining us for our annual Give To Mars Day Potato Challenge November 17, 2016 and help us raise funds for these scholarships.

We are now accepting applications for the 2017 Space Camp Scholarships. Applications are due January 15, 2017.

Here is what Tiffany, a 2016 scholarship recipient had to say about the program and it’s effects on her life:
“The TMG scholarship to Space Camp was a huge benefit to my life in a way that leaves me speechless, not only was Space Camp amazing but the people that were able to give me this opportunity (TMG) are as amazing.
For my stem interest it brought me back to my life-long love for astronomy and recent interest in aerospace. I always knew my career path was going to be in STEM but now I am sure that I want to be in aerospace. I also now consider going out of state to study not only for a chance to go to a more aerospace focused school but a chance to explore different places and I hope to study abroad as well.
It is wonderful to think that I would be able to help send humans to Mars but to have the opportunity to go out to space and explore Mars, would feeling that cannot be described by words. If I get to do either of these things it will make me feel complete but I envision my self on earth helping to build and design spacecraft or telescopes to see deeper into our universe and our past. The James Webb telescope is a good example of some kind of project i would want to work on in the future. I would want to design to construct and to see the craft in action. These are some of the many things I would like to accomplish in my future career as an aerospace engineer. “