Engineering the next generation of space travel, with Julia Cecchetti
Behrend Talks: A Penn State Podcast
Chapters
0:00
Welcome And Guest Introduction
1:57
Impulse Space And One Day GEO
3:53
Propulsion Engineer Work And Test Fires
5:38
Launch Day Pressure And Prototype Risk
8:28
SpaceX NASA And The New Space Model
12:16
Education Versus Real World Engineering
13:18
Building A Rocket Engine At School
15:17
Getting Hired Through Networking
16:19
Early Math Drive And Testing Out
18:18
Starting College Classes In High School
19:45
Robotic Snake Research Project
20:40
Supermileage Car And Driving Strategy
26:17
Pandemic Internship And Remote Graduation
27:45
NASA Medal And Career Recognition
29:08
Advice For Students And Career Path
32:03
AI As A Tool With Limits
34:30
Closing And Final Thanks
Behrend Talks: A Penn State Podcast
Engineering the next generation of space travel, with Julia Cecchetti
Apr 17, 2026
Season 8
Episode 5
Penn State Behrend
Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Julia Cecchetti, a 2020 graduate and recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award, about her work at SpaceX and at Impulse Space, where she is a senior propulsion engineer. Originally recorded on March 19, 2026.
