Seeking to inspire the next generation of aerospace engineers at the University of Tennessee to dream big, Joshua Dobbs (BS/AE, ’17) sponsored a group of students from the Tickle College of Engineering’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering to attend the Artemis II rocket launch on April 1st in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Through his ASTROrdinary Dobbs Foundation, Dobbs provided an all-expenses paid four-day trip for seven aerospace engineering majors to witness the liftoff of humanity’s first flight to the moon in more than half a century. Students Avah Cherry, Jordan Fabian, Tristan Hight, Espoir Kayihura, Cole Perry, Kameron Ross, and Rian Turner were accompanied on the trip by TCE Dean Matthew Mench, the Wayne T. Davis Dean’s chair of the college.
“The entire experience of watching the launch was truly unforgettable. It was such an incredible learning and observing moment for me,” Ross said. “To actually be there and witness firsthand that humans are actively flying to the moon again is just awe-inspiring. Knowing that this monumental step in space exploration is happening during my generation and setting the stage for many more generations to come made it a deeply impactful experience to see in person.”
Dobbs, a former UT quarterback and past president of the Alumni Board of Directors, was invited by NASA to attend the Artemis II launch. His first thought was, ‘Who can I bring with me?”
“There are few moments when you have the opportunity to provide a life changing and inspiring opportunity to others and this was one of those moments,” Dobbs said. “I’m thankful to be in the position to do this for these seven UT students and I’m excited to continue to provide these opportunities for others.”
Beautifully chilling experience
The TCE group departed the hotel on launch day at 7 a.m. to reach the viewing location amid the large crowds. During their wait until the 6:35 p.m. launch, they were able to learn more about each other, interact with Dobbs, and get interviewed by the official NASA Launch Broadcast.
Once the official countdown began, a swirl of emotions overcame the students.
“The launch itself was completely amazing. Words don’t even begin to describe it. Complete chills and I think it brought a few of us to tears,” Turner said. “The rocket plume at the bottom was like looking directly into the sun. It was extremely bright, but impossible to look away from. It was truly so beautiful.”
Along with watching the rocket launch, Dobbs provided numerous other experiences for the TCE students. They were able to tour NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. They met with NASA employees and received private tours of assembly buildings, test areas, and prototype and analysis labs.
“Seeing all of these things really gave me a small glimpse into how many moving parts there are when it comes to putting together a major project such as a rocket launch,” Turner said. “The teamwork involved is truly invaluable and there is never just one person who makes something possible. There will always be others behind the scenes who spend countless hours doing their job right to make a larger project come together.”
Career goals uplifted
Hight grew up watching Dobbs play football for the Vols as Dobbs simultaneously balanced a rigorous academic load for his aerospace engineering degree. When Hight received the opportunity to attend the Artemis II launch and meet his “childhood hero,” he almost couldn’t believe it.
“Josh Dobbs started out as a legend to me before this trip, from his on and off the field pursuits. After this amazing opportunity, my respect for him has only grown,” Hight said. “He truly cares about the future of the aerospace field and what we will do in the next generation. And he was a friend to us in every version of the word. I have never met someone who embodied the Volunteer spirit this university prides itself on more than Josh Dobbs.”
The TCE group followed the entire 10-day trip around the moon by the four NASA astronauts aboard Artemis II. The crew set a new distance record for miles traveled from Earth (252,756 miles) as the Orion capsule made a U-turn around the moon and headed back to Earth.
Like most people, the TCE students were amazed at the breathtaking photos that were sent back from Artemis II. Knowing they witnessed the start of the journey made it even more meaningful.
Before the students boarded their flights back to Knoxville, Dobbs gave each of them a signed Artemis II hat with the message “Be Great.”
For the students, it felt like mission accomplished.
“My biggest takeaway from the trip was the proof that everything I have poured into this major is absolutely worth it,” Hight said. “The networking and professional development from world-class NASA engineers showed me how much they love what they do. People often compare rocket science to the most difficult class of work, and while there may be some truth to that, these engineers don’t see it as excruciating work; they see it as a passionate endeavor.”
Contact
Rhiannon Potkey ([email protected])