For Ethan Achipa, engineering is more than a field of study. It is the pathway to understanding the flight and space exploration that first captured his imagination as a child growing up in Yukon, Oklahoma.

Watching rocket launches and air shows sparked Achipa’s curiosity about how aerospace vehicles work. In contrast, science fiction shows like "Voltron" and "Dragon Ball Z" fueled his imagination about the possibilities of space exploration. By the time he was 8 or 9, he knew aerospace engineering was the field that could help him understand the science behind flight.

Achipa, a freshman pursuing dual bachelor’s degrees in aerospace engineering and mechanical engineering at Oklahoma State University, has already distinguished himself through research, leadership and academic excellence. A resident of Parker Hall and participant in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology’s Summer Bridge program, Achipa quickly became involved in several initiatives that reflect both his curiosity and his commitment to the CEAT community.

He chose OSU after seeing firsthand the level of support the CEAT faculty provides students.

“During my tour and Summer Bridge experience, I saw firsthand how invested professors were in student success,” Achipa said.

Once on campus, Achipa quickly sought out opportunities to get involved in research.

Among his most notable efforts is his involvement in liquid rocket propulsion research at OSU. In this role, Achipa contributes to the development and testing of a small-scale rocket ignition system designed to support relight capability in liquid rocket engines. His work includes conducting hot-fire tests, analyzing ignition performance and evaluating the durability of components across repeated burn cycles. Achipa is also collaborating on a technical paper that will be presented at the 2026 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Region IV Conference.

Achipa said the opportunity to participate in research began during the CEAT Summer Bridge program, where he met his mentor, Dr. Kurt Rouser, assistant professor for the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, during a design project course.

When Rouser invited Freshman Research Scholars to join his research projects, Achipa was intrigued.

“His rocket propulsion option immediately caught my eye, and I knew it was what I wanted to pursue,” Achipa said.

One of the most memorable moments of his research experience came during the team’s first successful ignition test.

“The most exciting moment was successfully igniting our water-cooled liquid rocket engine after months of design and testing,” Achipa said. “Seeing the system we built fire actually was incredibly rewarding.”

Achipa’s research interests extend beyond Earth’s orbit. Through a multi-institutional collaboration with the University of Oklahoma, he is helping analyze orbital trajectories that could support long-term lunar exploration as part of future missions tied to NASA’s Artemis program.

Using computational modeling and principles of orbital mechanics, the project examines how constellations of satellites could be positioned in stable lunar orbits to maintain communication between spacecraft and Earth. By analyzing factors such as orbital distance, shape and inclination, the research team is developing models that predict how satellite positions change over time and how those patterns could support reliable communication networks around the moon.

In addition to research, Achipa plays an active role in student leadership. He serves as senator for the OSU chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, representing more than 150 members within the CEAT Student Council. In this role, he helps ensure student perspectives are represented in college discussions while supporting collaboration between organizations across campus.

Achipa also participates in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the CEAT Freshman Council, contributing to professional development activities and helping organize engineering engagement events.

His accomplishments recently earned him selection for the University of Tennessee–Oak Ridge Innovation Institute’s Student Mentoring and Research Training internship program. The highly competitive program selects a small cohort of undergraduate students from across the country to work directly with scientists and engineers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

During the 10-week experience, Achipa will contribute to research in areas such as advanced materials or manufacturing while gaining exposure to world-class research facilities.

“Getting selected for the SMaRT internship was a game-changer for me,” Achipa said. “Working at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee will give me hands-on experience with advanced materials and manufacturing that directly connects to my propulsion research.”

While balancing research, coursework and leadership roles, Achipa also serves as a tutor at the Math Learning Success Center, where he works one-on-one with students to strengthen their understanding of mathematics and problem-solving strategies.

“Math has always been a passion of mine,” Achipa said. “Tutoring lets me help other students while staying sharp on concepts I’ll need in my engineering classes.”

Managing those commitments requires careful planning.

“It has certainly been a challenge,” Achipa said. “I try to keep everything organized in a planner, so things don’t catch me by surprise. Overall, everything in my schedule fits nicely. I work hard but make sure to prioritize rest and health.”

Looking ahead, Achipa hopes to continue contributing to research that advances space exploration, particularly technologies that support sustained missions beyond Earth’s orbit. His long-term goal is to work in the aerospace industry, developing systems that help enable continuous human presence in cislunar space and on the moon.

Achipa encourages prospective engineering students to take advantage of the opportunities available within CEAT.

“OSU is an excellent and affordable place to study engineering, with countless opportunities to get involved in research, leadership and hands-on projects,” he said. “If you take initiative and work hard, you can really thrive in the engineering community here.”

As he continues his studies at CEAT, Achipa remains focused on expanding his research experience and deepening his understanding of the technologies that will shape the future of space exploration — the same curiosity about flight and discovery that first inspired him as he grew up in Yukon.