Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College student Zach McNutt, of the Jackson County Campus, successfully completed Mission Three of the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) program this summer. The prestigious, three-week capstone experience brings together top community college students from across the nation.

The NCAS program is a highly competitive initiative that encourages community college students to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers. Students must complete Mission One and Mission Two before advancing to the final stage. Mission Three includes two weeks of online preparation followed by a week at a NASA field center, where participants tackle real-world challenges faced by NASA directorates.

At NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, McNutt and his team focused on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Their project proposed a battery swapping system to improve efficiency and sustainability in passenger transport. The concept included automated battery exchanges, renewable energy from vertical wind turbines and solar panels, and advanced thermal systems for safety.

“Growing up, I was always fascinated with astronomy and space,” McNutt said. “The thought of being able to work with NASA was something I thought I could only dream of. Having this opportunity has been incredible.”

He added that one of the most rewarding aspects was collaborating with peers who shared his passion. “The entire NCAS group was full of people who embrace the challenge of math and science. My team was amazing, and I’ll never forget working with them on our project.”

Although rigorous, McNutt said the program tested his perseverance. “When I was going through Mission Two and Mission Three, part of me wanted it to be over because of how tough the assignments were, but I wouldn’t have been happy if I had quit. When I want to do something, I make sure I get it done.”

In addition to team-based projects, NCAS provides tours, expert presentations, resume workshops, networking, and university visits, offering students a deeper understanding of NASA’s work and the importance of STEM careers.

“Programs like NCAS give our students an extraordinary opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world challenges, while also inspiring them to reach higher,” said Angela Sims, chair of the School of Engineering, Mathematics, Data Science, & IT at the Jackson County Campus. “We are very proud of Zach and his accomplishments in this prestigious program.”