At NSLC’s Aerospace program in Houston, you’ll explore engineering and aerospace through mission-based simulations grounded in the real NASA-inspired challenges of modern space exploration. From rocket propulsion and robotics to thermal protection and life-sustaining environments, you’ll learn inside NASA Johnson Space Center and Space Center Houston, gaining access to the active facilities used for astronaut preparation and mission development.
NASA Aerospace for High School Students
Explore the future of aerospace at NASA.
Experience the NASA Johnson Space Center
Work and learn inside NASA’s active astronaut training and development facilities alongside the engineers, operators, and specialists who are advancing the future of human space exploration.
Program Highlights
Inside Aerospace at Space Center Houston
Explore aerospace engineering firsthand with NSLC through hands-on projects and behind-the-scenes experiences at NASA facilities. Discover the challenges behind NASA’s missions and how engineers develop the technology that makes human spaceflight possible.
Dive into simulated microgravity.
Gear up for SCUBA and water robotics exercises modeled after astronaut underwater training, testing coordination, systems thinking, and engineering in dynamic environments.
Explore SimulationsTrain like an astronaut.
Dive into astronaut-inspired mission scenarios that put your engineering instincts to the test, from rocket launch systems and cryogenics to thermal protection, robotics coding, and next-generation habitat design.
Explore Guest Speakers
Create NASA-inspired design projects.
Construct habitat structures, VEX robotics builds, and drone technology, turning raw concepts into fully realized, working solutions.
Explore Trips & ToursI absolutely loved it! I knew I wanted to be an engineer before but now I'm sure. I also made friends I will never forget and experiences I will cherish forever.
Sophia, California
Hands-on Simulations
Explore the field of aerospace engineering
through immersive workshops and mission-based challenges modeled on real NASA projects. Take on the challenges driving modern space exploration as you analyze rocket launches, design thermal protection systems for extreme temperatures, program robotics for mission operations, and develop habitats capable of sustaining human life beyond Earth.
Thermal and Cryogenics Testing
Investigate thermal protection, cryogenics, and the engineering challenges of operating in extreme environments. Explore how temperature and material performance influence the design of technology used in space exploration.
SCUBA & Water Robotics
Experience the challenges of working in a microgravity-like environment as you complete underwater tasks with guidance from SCUBA instructors. Discover how neutral buoyancy helps astronauts prepare for space missions and why even simple movements require a different approach beneath the surface.
Rocket Launch
Design and construct a rocket with your team, experimenting with fin design to investigate how stability and aerodynamic drag affect flight performance. Test your design and compete to achieve the longest flight time from launch to touchdown.
VEX Robots
Construct habitat structures and program VEX robots to complete engineering challenges inspired by space exploration. Explore how robotics and automation can support human activities beyond Earth.
Mission to Mars
Take on the challenges of planning a human mission to Mars by designing components of a spacecraft, habitat, and vehicle fleet. Consider how these systems must work together to support astronauts traveling to and operating on another planet.
Aircraft Carrier Launch
Design and build a glider and launch system, applying principles of aerodynamics to investigate how aircraft achieve lift and travel through the air. Put your design to the test as teams compete to achieve the greatest flight distance.
The NSLC is proud to partner with IEEE and the IEEE TryEngineering Summer Institute to foster the next generation of technology innovators through hands-on, interdisciplinary engineering education that empowers students to solve real-world challenges.Guest Speakers
Learn from NASA industry leaders.
Learn directly from NASA engineers, mission specialists, and astronauts who bring real-world experiences and technical expertise to the Aerospace program.
See Past Guest Speakers
NASA Johnson Space Center
Trips & Tours
Go beyond the classroom at NASA.
Gain a new perspective on aerospace and learn how the industry works behind the scenes. Explore NASA’s facilities and see first-hand where rockets are designed, flight systems are tested, and mission hardware is refined.
See Trips & Tours
Leadership
is in our name.
Each NSLC program contains a leadership curriculum designed to teach skills that can apply to all areas of life. Workshops on personality styles, communication and listening, resilience, and empathy set the foundation for a successful future, no matter where it may lead.
Watch VideoLife on a College Campus
Dates, Locations, & Tuition
NSLC provides an immersive pre-college experience that prepares students for life beyond high school, allowing them to study in university classrooms, learn to navigate a college campus, and experience college life firsthand. Students in the Houston program will also spend five days learning within NASA Johnson Space Center’s state-of-the-art development facilities. When submitting an application, students will select a residential or commuter option: residential students stay in supervised campus dormitories at Rice University, while commuter students follow daily arrival and departure times designated by the program.
Rice University△
Houston, TX
$4,695 Residential
$4,145 Commuter
Summer 2027
Jun 13 - Jun 21
Jun 26 - Jul 4
△ The NSLC is not sponsored by William Marsh Rice University.
Tuition Resources
Earn College Credit
NSLC has partnered with American University to offer an online college credit opportunity for students across all our programs and locations. AU’s faculty-taught courses are completed at home outside the dates of your program and tailored to complement your area of study.
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Aerospace at Space Center Houston FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Wondering if NSLC’s Aerospace program in Houston is right for you? Explore below, read our general FAQs, or reach out to our team. We’re happy to help!
At NSLC, you’ll explore space engineering through mission-based challenges and experiences connected to NASA Johnson Space Center. You’ll work on problems inspired by real space missions, from designing systems that withstand extreme temperatures to developing habitats for life beyond Earth. You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at NASA facilities, build leadership skills, and experience learning on Rice University’s campus. The program brings together the technical challenges of space exploration and the people and places behind them.
You’ll take on challenges involving rocket engineering, robotics, thermal protection, and space habitat design. Depending on the project, you might build and launch a rocket, program a robotic rover, or design a system that protects equipment from extreme temperatures. You’ll work through the engineering process by testing ideas, troubleshooting problems, and improving your designs. Throughout the program, you’ll explore how engineers account for challenges like limited resources, harsh environments, and the demands of space missions.
You’ll explore the engineering behind space exploration through challenges inspired by the conditions astronauts and spacecraft face. Experiences at NASA Johnson Space Center and Space Center Houston offer a closer look at facilities involved in astronaut training, mission operations, and spacecraft development. You’ll connect what you learn during these visits to your own engineering projects, gaining a better understanding of how different teams and technologies come together to support a space mission.
The program focuses primarily on engineering and space science, with astronaut-inspired experiences that help bring those subjects to life. You’ll explore challenges involving propulsion, robotics, thermal protection, and life-support systems, while learning how engineers design solutions for space environments. Activities may also introduce concepts related to microgravity and astronaut preparation. You won’t be training to become an astronaut, but you’ll gain insight into the engineering that makes human space exploration possible.
Space missions bring together professionals with many different engineering specialties. Astronautical engineers work on spacecraft and their systems, propulsion engineers develop technologies that power rockets, and robotics engineers create machines that can operate in challenging environments. Other careers include mission operations engineer, spacecraft systems engineer, and aerospace materials engineer. Through NASA-inspired engineering challenges, NSLC’s Aerospace at Space Center Houston program introduces you to the technical work behind exploring space.
Absolutely! Space exploration involves far more than astronauts and rocket scientists. Through engineering projects and experiences connected to NASA, you’ll discover how fields like mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, robotics, and aerospace engineering contribute to space missions. You may find yourself especially interested in spacecraft design, robotic exploration, or developing technologies that support life in space. The experience can help you better understand your interests as you consider college majors and future careers.
Your future starts here.
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