Senior Christa Finley always gazed at the stars in wonder and dreamed of being an astronaut. Now she is reaching for the stars-literally.
The aerospace engineering major is in her third year as part of the student rocket team set to compete in the University Student Launch Initiative, sponsored by NASA. As chief engineer, she has been an integral part of the team charged with designing, building and flying a model rocket to reach a minimum of one mile above ground level.
For Finley, it is the next step in what may well become a long career in the aerospace industry, all going back to her early dream of soaring among the stars. It's a dream she hopes will one day lead her once again to NASA.
"Being a part of the rocket team and this competition has given me a lot of hands-on experience and a chance to do real engineering," Finley said. "My three years as part of the team and competition have given me the preparation I will need to enter the engineering world."