Adin Weatherby holds a rocket avionics bay in the Sliger building at FAMU-FSU College of Engineering in Tallahassee, Florida. (Scott Holstein/FAMU-FSU College of Engineering)
From NASA’s Student Launch Challenge to precision airbrake technology, electrical engineering senior Adin Weatherby combines technical innovation with community impact.
Building Tomorrow’s Aerospace Technology Today
Growing up on Florida’s Space Coast, Adin Weatherby was destined for an engineering career that reaches for the stars. Now, as he graduates from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering with a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Weatherby is making his mark through NASA’s prestigious Student Launch Competition—a program celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025.
We talked with Weatherby about this project and what he learned in and out of the engineering lab.
What was your Senior Design project?
We designed a high-power rocket to compete nationally in NASA’s Student Launch Competition. The result, “Uncertainty,” is a dual-deploy high-power rocket that flies to 4,800 feet. We proposed our design in September, finished prototype testing in January, and completed our first integrated test with the payload during Spring Break. Our project is the core of the Zenith Program, which we operate as a club to provide invaluable rocketry experience to younger engineers.
What is your focus?
The Zenith Program has objectives that extend beyond senior design requirements. My focus is to integrate airbrakes into future rocket designs so the team can achieve an altitude precision of ±1 foot. This requires extensive design and testing of our controls and simulations, the field I am most interested in. My second focus is creating art. I had the opportunity to design new logos for a comprehensive brand overhaul to reflect our mission.
What was it like working on a team?
We have a much smaller team size than other universities and must complete documentation for senior design and NASA. Everyone has gotten very close to one another under the pressure to make these deadlines. Teamwork requires sacrifice, especially when other responsibilities inevitably conflict. We continuously prioritize supporting each other, and that is what I attribute most to our success. The push to develop airbrakes would not be possible without the incredible people I work with. As a team, we must collectively develop a deep understanding of the problem and our physical system to actualize our design goals; this type of problem is why I study engineering.
Most memorable moment so far?
It’s tough to choose one moment. Developing into an engineer is done by stepping stones, each deepening my understanding of engineering and myself. The most recent one occurred during a time crunch to determine a failure condition on our rocket system. I worked with our team lead to strategize and uncover the root cause. This analysis was across disciplines: electrical and mechanical. I had to keep a level head under pressure to determine the true issue. That is an experience I will not forget.
Giving back.
Outside of academia, Weatherby is dedicated to giving back. He is an FAMU-FSU Engineering Ambassador representing the college, volunteering with K-12 students to share the engineering opportunities that he benefited from. He plans to continue his volunteer work in the community after graduation.
What’s next?
Weatherby has received a job offer that aligns with his interests in airbrake research. Additionally, he is planning an extended thru-hike to recharge after graduation and embrace the beauty of nature.
As he prepares to enter the next chapter of his life, the senior offers this advice to fellow students: “Reward is proportional to the effort. Always do your best and find work that excites you.”
Editor’s Note: This article was edited with a custom prompt for Claude 3.7 Sonnet, an AI assistant created by Anthropic. The AI improved clarity, structure and readability while preserving the original reporting and factual content. All information and viewpoints remain those of the author and publication. This disclosure is part of our commitment to transparency in our editorial process. Last edited: May 22, 2025.
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