Patrick Bailey's fascination with aerospace engineering began with a childhood trip to the Kennedy Space Center, where he witnessed a space shuttle launch that ignited his lifelong passion.
“I was about seven years old when my parents took me to see a shuttle launch. Ever since then, I’ve been enamored with aerospace,” Bailey says.
Bailey’s journey into the world of aerospace engineering was marked by several key experiences. In middle school, he attended the Governor's School for Science and Mathematics, and participated in summer camps focused on robotics and programming. His high school years saw him actively involved in the FIRST® LEGO® League, where he honed his engineering skills through hands-on projects.
But a pivotal moment occurred in the summer before Bailey’s junior year when he attended the University of South Carolina’s first aerospace summer camp. Bailey engaged in designing aircraft and learning about composite structures, which solidified his decision to pursue aerospace engineering at USC.
Bailey was an Honors College student and part of the second class of the aerospace engineering undergraduate program, which began in 2018. He began working as an undergraduate research assistant in the spring semester of his freshman year and continued to be involved in projects despite facing challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
His early research work in Mechanical Engineering Professor Tanvir Farouk’s lab introduced him to combustion reactors and plasma technology. Bailey later joined the university’s McNair Center for Aerospace Innovation and Research, focusing on developing cold spray technology, a process using high-pressure gas to bond materials.
In addition to his research, Bailey also served as secretary and eventually president of the USC chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. His leadership helped navigate the club’s retention and activities, despite the demands of his senior design projects and research.
After graduating in 2023, Bailey remained at USC, and he will earn his master’s degree in mechanical engineering next spring. But his dedication to aerospace and mechanical engineering extends beyond academia. Bailey interned with Boeing in 2023 and worked with the 787 aft composite fabrication team. Bailey is currently interning at Lockheed Martin in Orlando, Florida, gaining experience in thin film coatings and process development.
“This current internship is working me harder," Bailey says. "I feel like I have opportunities, and I'm constantly moving around, which I like. In my opinion, working on projects towards a bigger goal is fun because you can slowly etch away at it.”
Bailey adds that he does not want easy jobs, which could lead to a lack of interest and a desire to not continue.
“It keeps my thoughts being provoked, keeps me entertained, and it’s also a good place to still keep associating and conversing with other people,” Bailey says.
Bailey has also secured several grants, including the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship and South Carolina Space Grant as well as multiple Magellan grants from the USC Office of Undergraduate Research, which have funded his research and allowed him to present at national conferences.
Looking ahead, Bailey aspires to contribute to the aerospace industry, potentially starting his own company to address emerging needs. Despite the challenges, he holds on to a childhood dream of becoming an astronaut.
“Ever since I was a kid, I had always wanted to be an astronaut, and I'd say even now, I would give just about anything to go to space,” Bailey says. “ You can move forward through this world by just showing up, which is 80-90% of the battle. Sometimes it’s that simple, and I try to pass that along to others.”
With his passion, dedication and impressive achievements, Bailey is well on his way to making significant contributions to the aerospace engineering field.