Charis Houston

Charis Houston ‘23 Turned a Passion for Space into a Career at Northrop Grumman

Charis Houston’s journey into aerospace began in the 9th grade when she attended Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. Immersed in their mission control and space mission simulations, she discovered a passion that would shape her future. “Space Camp is where my interest in rockets and space really took off,” she recalls. 

In determined pursuit of this passion, Houston spent five years competing in model rocket events, representing the U.S. model rocket team at the 2018 FAI World Spacemodeling Championships in Poland. But when it came time to choose a college, she struggled to find one that matched her aspirations—until she discovered Capitol Technology University.

“I didn’t see many schools offering astronautical engineering programs or focused on mission and space flight operations,” she explains. “When I found Capitol Tech, I realized it was exactly what I was looking for—and where I belonged.”

From Intern to Full-Time Engineer

During the summer before her junior year at Capitol Tech, Houston began interning at Northrop Grumman in mission operations, a role she continued to do part-time through graduation, which led to her current full-time position as an Associate Engineer Systems.

“At Capitol Tech, we have career fairs twice a year, where companies connect with students and highlight the skills and majors they’re looking for,” she says. That connection helped her land her internship, where she contributed to satellite missions. Now, she develops and tests procedures, documentation, and scripts for satellites and supports missions as a flight controller once they launch. 

Hands-On Learning Taught By Aerospace Experts 

Houston credits Capitol Tech’s industry-focused, hands-on curriculum with preparing her for success in the aerospace field. The university’s Spaceflight Operations Training Center (SFOTC) enabled her to gain technical experience through real-world mission simulations.

“It provides you with hands-on training and practical applications of what you learn in class,” she explains. Through the SFOTC, she gained a comprehensive understanding of different spacecraft subsystems and how they work together. She saw theoretical knowledge translated into real-world scenarios to understand “how it applies when you’re actually flying the satellite or operating the satellite.” 

In her ground systems course, Houston was able to uncover valuable insights, like how satellite procedures work and what they look like. “The training center used real-time simulations of what to expect when operating and maintaining a spacecraft, as well as any software used for mission planning, orbit determination, and planning analysis,” Houston says.

Capitol Tech’s faculty also stood out for their industry expertise. “All of my astronautical engineering professors were actively working in the aerospace industry,” Houston notes. “Their expertise made the coursework incredibly relevant to current and future trends.”

Building Crucial Skills Through Multidisciplinary Projects 

Collaboration was another highlight of Houston’s Capitol Tech Experience. As a member of the astronomy, rocket, model rocket, and uncrewed systems clubs, she worked with students from different majors on hands-on projects. 

One of her favorite experiences was working with her classmates in the rocket club, helping them earn high-power rocket certifications. “It was rewarding to share my expertise and skills to encourage others who were interested to learn more,” she says. 

Houston also worked on Capitol Tech’s CACTUS-1 CubeSat project, which brought together students from the cybersecurity, computer engineering, and electrical engineering programs to develop and launch a payload into space. These multidisciplinary efforts taught her how to collaborate and problem-solve, which are crucial skills for aerospace professionals. “Being able to work with different disciplines toward a finalized goal or mission helps on a day-to-day basis,” she says. 

“At the end of the day, that understanding of team dynamics is really important,” Houston explains. “Had I not gone to Capitol Tech, I'm not sure I would’ve been able to experience this in the same capacity.” 

Inspiring the Next Generation of Aerospace Professionals 

Beyond her professional role, Houston is dedicated to inspiring future aerospace enthusiasts. As a long-time member and volunteer with the National Association of Rocketry (NAR), she organizes outreach events for high school students interested in model rockets. 

“Helping students discover the possibilities in aerospace and model rocketry is one of my passions,” she says. “It’s about showing them how they can contribute to STEM fields, whether in technical or non-technical roles.”

In 2021, ignited by a lack of diversity in the model rocketry hobby and aerospace industry, Houston co-founded Fire Rockets with her mother, Robin Houston, who shares her passion for creating educational opportunities in space science for community youth. In 2025, Fire Rockets signed a partnership with Capitol Tech to collaborate in further promoting STEM disciplines, education, and career opportunities—specifically in the aerospace field.

Houston shares this advice with aspiring astronautical engineers: “Never stop learning. Take advantage of hands-on opportunities, and don’t be afraid to explore areas outside your comfort zone.”