BW software engineering major interns with NASA

This summer, Lucas Shalkhauser '21 has stretched his imagination and fulfilled a childhood dream - working for NASA. Through a Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) internship at NASA Glenn Research Center, Shalkhauser spent his summer creating interactive 3D visualization software that will help engineers and scientists in understanding and planning orbits and communications for missions.

"Challenging but rewarding project"

Shalkhauser, a software engineering major, spent his internship working on the SCaN Codebase Dynamic Tool project. Through this project, he worked to create interactive 3D visualization software that will show satellite orbits, communication links between ground stations and satellites, ground station positions and planet rotation. This tool will help engineers and scientists working on both current and future missions.

"My experience this summer at NASA has been amazing," shared Shaulkhauser. "I have been able to work on a challenging but rewarding project and have met many incredibly hard-working and smart people. My work here has helped me understand software development and has heightened my problem-solving skills."

BW boost toward childhood dream

"Since I was a kid, I have always wanted to work for NASA," Shaulkhauser said. With a BW boost, he was able to make that dream a reality this summer.

"The classes and experiences I have had so far at BW have given me the knowledge and problem-solving skills I need to succeed in an engineering career," explained Shaulkhauser. "The faculty at BW has given me many great opportunities to explore and learn about engineering, and they have helped me pursue my goals in so many ways."