Langston University has two research projects that benefit students before and after graduating. These two research initiatives are the Sky-Wrangler Project and the NASA RockOn Project. The NASA RockOn Project uses rockets with payloads to collect data, and it’s a collaborative effort seen in today’s industry, helping students early with team projects across different career fields.
The Sky-Wrangler Project (which is not related to NASA) utilizes payloads carried on an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) drone to collect information and data.
Marcio White, an instructor in the engineering and technology department and agricultural science department, contributes to the NASA RockOn Project and the Sky-Wrangler Project.
“I actively recruit students… If they’re interested we actively recruit them to the program, and they’re paid positions with fellowships and scholarships,” White said.
In 2016, White was asked by Dr. Hunt, the previous LU NASA RockOn grant consortium director, if he would like to launch rockets into space with payloads. 2017 was the NASA RockOn Project’s first launch. “We took a student to and went out to Wallops Island, Virginia with the NASA RockOn Project,” White said.
Langston students build payloads with a Geiger counter, shields and different sensors. The payloads are then integrated into canisters, and then the canisters are consolidated into 14-foot-long rocket payloads. Langston students are invited each year to launch rockets from Wallops Island, Virginia.
Once the rockets are launched and the payload is recovered, all the data is collected, graphed and charted. This data consists of temperature, humidity, payload orientation, radiation and acceleration.
Jelena Herriott, a 4th-year senior majoring in crop and soil sciences, is currently the NASA RockOn Project manager. “I do a lot of organizing, applying for things like presentation symposiums, and I work really closely with the engineers and computer scientists… We all help to build the sounding rocket payload,” Herriott said.
Herriott has benefited from participating in the program. “It benefitted me by broadening my perspective in both engineering and computer sciences because I wanted to go into engineering as an agriculture scientist,” Herriott said. On top of building a foundation of knowledge in engineering, Herriott has gained experience that she can use on her resume.
“When people read my resume now, they’re very impressed with it, they want to know more, it draws them in and I feel like that’s been the main kicker for me. Getting a job or not getting a job I want,” Herriott said. Furthermore, Herriott’s participation in the NASA RockOn Program also helped her secure an internship over the past summer.
Terrance Woodard, a junior computer science major, is a part of the Sky-Wrangler Project. Woodard has gained knowledge and experience since joining in August. “When I first started I had no idea how to do this certain programming language, and now I’m learning it… I’m learning a lot more about new technology and all that so it’s a great experience,” Woodard said.
The Sky-Wrangler Project focuses on building drones. This helps livestock producers manage their animals and pastures. For example, it allows the livestock producers to make sure the grass and animals are healthy.
These research projects pay students as well as gives them experience with rockets and drones. It also sets them up for success when it comes to getting internships, fellowships and jobs.
Story ideas, opinion editorials, calendar events and advertising requests can be sent to dthom34@langston.edu. You may follow The Gazette on Instagram @lu_gazette.
The Gazette serves as the student voice of Langston University. It is produced within the Department of Communication as a teaching tool and local news source for the campus community. The views and opinions expressed within are those of the writers whose names appear with the articles and do not necessarily represent the views of Langston University.
