FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2024
CDSE Congratulates NASA and Artemis I Industry Team on Jackson Award
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Coalition for Deep Space Exploration (CDSE) offers its congratulations to NASA and the Artemis I industry team on being honored with the prestigious Nelson P. Jackson Aerospace Award in recognition of their exceptional contributions to aerospace through the historic Artemis I mission from November 16 – December 11, 2022.
In credit to a flawless launch executed by the Exploration Ground Systems team and powered by NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, the Orion spacecraft was placed on a precise trajectory, providing it with ample fuel reserves for its groundbreaking 25.5-day, 1.4-million-mile journey around the Moon and back.
On December 11, 2022, Orion successfully returned to Earth using a new skip-entry technique, proving the effectiveness of its heatshield at high speeds and extreme temperatures and accomplished 21 additional test objectives in orbit, surpassing the original 124 planned. These achievements were crucial as they confirmed the safety and performance of NASA’s deep space transportation system, essential for future human deep space exploration.
The industry team – consisting of Aerojet Rocketdyne, an L3Harris Technologies company; Boeing; Jacobs; Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman – along with NASA supported all aspects of the mission, including the SLS rocket elements such as the core stage, upper stage, boosters, and RS-25 engines, as well as the Orion spacecraft and the ground systems support and testing. This collaborative effort, with significant contributions from the European Space Agency, played a pivotal role in the success of the mission, marking a significant milestone in NASA’s goal of returning humans to the Moon. The Nelson P. Jackson award recognizes their outstanding achievements and celebrates the team’s unwavering dedication and meticulous attention to detail that has set a new standard for the inaugural performance of a human deep space exploration system.
Accepting the award on behalf of their parent companies are five ‘unsung heroes’ from each of the Artemis I prime contractor teams. These remarkable individuals have played pivotal roles in the successful development and execution of the Artemis I mission. Through their stories of innovative thinking and technical expertise, they have propelled the boundaries of space exploration and technology forward.
Bill Muddle, Lead Field Engineer, RS-25 Engines | Aerojet Rocketdyne, an L3Harris Technologies company
Muddle is acknowledged as an unsung hero of the Artemis I mission for his exceptional leadership, dedication and contributions to the RS-25 engines that help power NASA’s SLS rocket. Bill and his team were responsible for integrating the RS-25 engines into the Artemis I core stage, resolving technical issues during the inaugural green run of the stage, replacing an engine controller on the launch pad, and supporting multiple launch attempts that ultimately led to the successful launch of Orion around the Moon.
Jay Grow, Associate Chief Engineer, Space Launch System Launch Operations | Boeing
Grow is recognized as an unsung hero for his role in the successful fueling and launch of NASA’s SLS core stage for the Artemis I mission. Grow collaborated across all engineering disciplines to ensure the core stage was in optimal condition prior to launch. During each tanking test and wet dress rehearsal, Grow acted as the integrator and engineering leader for the subsystem engineers diagnosing issues, determining next steps, and overseeing troubleshooting of any anomalies or off-nominal events across all core stage sub-systems. His leadership in communicating these processes enabled the customer to proceed and, in moments of success, continue the launch countdown.
Todd Lamond, Associate Program Manager, Exploration Ground Systems | Jacobs
Lamond represents the unsung heroes of the team that assembled, integrated, and tested all flight hardware for Artemis I, rolled it to the launch pad, and successfully launched the first flight of NASA’s Moon to Mars Program. Todd played a critical role as the EGS interface, coordinating with NASA senior managers across all elements to ensure a strong contractor/customer partnership as the team navigated the initial Artemis operational flow, overcoming numerous challenges, including multiple propellant tanking tests, two hurricanes, and three launch attempts.
Joseph Arves, Deputy Chief Engineer, Orion | Lockheed Martin
Arves is an unsung hero for his involvement in nearly every Orion subsystem, contributing to the development of the most advanced human-rated spacecraft. He supported the implementation of various Orion architecture changes, including modifying the crew module’s outer mold line and forward bay cover design to ensure parachute safety. Arves led the tiger team focused on Orion’s main engine propulsion system, responsible for pressurizing the service module’s propellant tanks. Additionally, he oversaw the mass reduction efforts of Orion Artemis I after the Exploration Flight Test-1 vehicle.
Brad Johnson, Chief Structural Engineer, Space Launch System Boosters | Northrop Grumman
Johnson is recognized as an unsung hero for spearheading the investigation team tasked with evaluating and comprehending the health, risk, and safety factors associated with the solid rocket motors’ propellant-liner-insulation (PLI) bondline, which encompasses the interface of all solid rocket motor materials, throughout multiple launch attempts. His team’s analysis and findings resulted in an acceptable waiver for the solid rocket booster segments within the program, ultimately leading to the successful launch and nominal performance of NASA’s SLS rocket during the Artemis I mission.
About the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration
The Coalition for Deep Space Exploration is a national organization of more than 50 space industry businesses and other stakeholders committed to ensuring the United States remains a leader in space exploration, science, technology, and international cooperation. Based in Washington, D.C., the Coalition advocates in support of a long-term, sustainable direction for our nation’s space investments.
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MEDIA CONTACT
For more information or to schedule an interview with CDSE President and CEO Allen Cutler, please contact Dan Stohr at (703) 517-8173 or DNStohrConsulting@gmail.com.
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