Preparing to launch: Rocket research boosts engineering students’ career goals

ABINGTON, Pa. — At Penn State Abington this summer, engineering students transformed theory into real world practice by designing, constructing and testing rockets under the guidance of Masataka Okutsu, an associate professor of engineering. He joined two students at a NASA workshop that culminated with the launch of a suborbital sounding rocket carrying their built-from-scratch experiment.  

Engineering majors Joseph Flanagan, Jessica Penrose and Steven Zukley said their projects, organized through Abington- and University- supported research programs, prepared them for upcoming classes, added tools to their skill sets and validated their career goals. The trio began their coursework through Abington’s engineering degree program but have since transitioned to University Park for electrical and aerospace engineering. 

Flanagan was thrilled with the hands-on nature of the work, which helped him learn new engineering concepts while being involved in the entire process. 

“I was able to try things I never would have had the chance to do otherwise,” he said. “Because I’ve worked on another research project with Dr. Okutsu, I know how helpful it is to have a head start. This gave me a solid base to build on and some real-world experience, too.” 

For Penrose, summer research led her to develop a new skill — working with electronics — and she took charge of the computer-aided design, also known as CAD, modeling for 3D-printed parts as well as measuring GPS coordinates using a microcontroller Arduino. The experience also reinforced her career aspirations. 

“My primary goal is to work with rockets bound for space, so getting a preview of how they work was really useful," she said. "At the same time, this was my first hands-on experience directly related to my future work so it reaffirmed that I DO want to work in the aerospace industry.”

Flanagan and Zukley attended the annual NASA Rock On! team workshop at the Goddard Space Flight Center Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Zukley said he found it rewarding to connect with professionals as well as students and faculty from nearly three dozen colleges and universities across the country. 

“This experience was valuable for getting an inside look at what happens in a real NASA facility, and the kind of engineering that occurs," he said. "It would be my absolute dream job — and admittedly the dream job of many aspiring engineers in America — to work for NASA. This experience has made my ambition more tangible."

Watch the Rock On! sounding rocket launch.

The trio of students worked side by side on multiple projects, but their work was made possible by two different summer research programs. Penrose was selected for the inaugural Abington Summer Undergraduate Research Program, which is supported by Jim Creighton, an alum who graduate in 1981. Flanagan and Zukley were part of the 2025 cohort for the eight-week Multi-Campus Research Experience for Undergraduates through the University's College of Engineering. 

Okutsu said the projects gave the students a much broader and deeper experience than they had anticipated. 

“One student and I realized that his research projects required him to apply knowledge from chemistry, calculus, physics, dynamics, strengths of materials, engineering design and thermodynamics," he said. "Writing reports and giving presentations are also something they learn in general education courses as well.”

Okutsu said students often commit a great deal of time outside of class to master new skills.   

“Some of my students have made presentations at academic conferences and co-authored peer-reviewed journal articles," he said. "Undergraduate research can offer valuable experiences that would open a door to research careers. Several of my past students went to graduate school at University Park, Georgia Tech, the University of Pennsylvania and Stanford."

The faculty-led projects Penrose, Flanagan and Zuckey conducted are a key component of the Abington Experience, a roadmap to launch students from campus to career through internships, leadership development, short-term academic travel and undergraduate research. 

Summer 2025 projects 

The students worked on three projects with Okutsu this summer, individually or in teams: the NASA sounding rocket experiment, the trajectory reconstruction of model rocket and a prototype of a deployable CubeSat satellite for atmospheric descent. 

“I often suggest to my students that they work on different types of projects, as we never know a priori which project would best match their interests and skill sets, especially since we often don’t know the nature of the problem until it's partially solved," Okutsu said. "The students also worked on an investigation of in-situ construction materials on Mars." 

The model rockets have small satellite applications. As they fly, he explained, the students estimated the position along with its trajectory based on images taken by the onboard camera. The accelerometer measurements allowed them to estimate the positions and velocities as a function of time.  

“It requires learning theories and the ability to assemble instruments such as soldering. It's a challenging task,” said Okutsu, who chairs Abington’s engineering degree program.    

About Penn State Abington 

Penn State Abington provides an affordable, accessible and high-impact education resulting in the success of a diverse student body. It is committed to student success through innovative approaches to 21st-century public higher education within a world-class research university. With more than 3,100 students, Penn State Abington is a residential campus that offers baccalaureate degrees in 26 majors, accelerated master's degrees, undergraduate research, the Schreyer Honors College, NCAA Division III athletics and more.