In August 2025, Houston Community College (HCC), an IDEAS² Center partner, received a donation of historic NASA surplus hardware, including an external tank, two solid rocket boosters, a shuttle-era etched aluminum blueprint, and several wing and tail models.
Weighing nearly 800 pounds, the collection is being prepared for display at HCC’s Stafford Workforce Solutions Building, where it will provide students and community members with direct exposure to authentic aerospace artifacts. This exhibit strengthens the IDEAS² Center’s outreach mission and inspires future engineers.
In parallel, HCC’s Katy Rocketry Club advanced hands-on aerospace education by earning high-powered rocketry certifications and successfully designing, building, and launching a rocket powered by J-class motors. These initiatives showcase HCC’s expanding role in the IDEAS² collaboration and its commitment to experiential aerospace learning.