Space Conference Speaker

Rachel Long is a researcher, pilot, and completing degrees in aerospace and mechanical engineering at the University of California, Davis. She has conducted research with NASA, the Mars Institute, and the Center for Space Exploration Research at UC Davis. Her work spans pressurized rover design for the Moon and Mars, spacecraft life support systems, UAV-based wildfire detection, and eVTOL transit operations. Her research has been presented at national conferences and recognized through competitive awards.

Outside the lab, Rachel spends her time building, flying, and mentoring. She is the Propellant Feed Team Lead for UC Davis’s first liquid rocketry club, where she leads propulsion system development. She is also a mentor with the Experimental Aircraft Association as a Ray Aviation Scholar, supporting pilot training and expanding access to aviation opportunities. Rachel plans to attend graduate school in aerospace engineering while continuing her research and commitment to mentorship.