The following is an Op-Ed from Dr. Richard Gilbrech of NASA and Stennis Space Center.
The upcoming months have been identified as a Year of Innovation as NASA focuses on three key areas – the Artemis program to return to the Moon in a sustainable way as preparation for future missions to Mars, continued cutting-edge climate and Earth science research, and a focus on equity as we work to ensure full participation in the NASA mission by all segments of our workforce and communities.
The current administration and the nation-at-large has placed their trust in NASA to move forward with plans to land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon as part of the Artemis program, to provide the research needed to protect and sustain our planet, to engage in innovative technology research and development to benefit all areas of life, and to invest in our future through focused and expanded STEM initiatives as we prepare our leaders of tomorrow.
Stennis remains steadfast in its support of all these agency programs and initiatives, with particular emphasis on the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and its Artemis missions. Green Run testing of the first SLS core stage was accomplished earlier this spring, and preparations now are underway for launch of the inaugural Artemis I mission. Meanwhile, we are continuing to test RS-25 single engines for use on SLS and are beginning preparations to test the Exploration Upper Stage unit when it is completed. Our innovative Autonomous Systems Lab also is working to design, develop, and test new smart capabilities that could be used on Artemis and SLS hardware and missions.
Likewise, we are engaged in efforts to be good environmental stewards and to expand our STEM activities to reach more students and a more diverse representation of students. There can be no greater investment in our future than in the training of young people to be the scientists, engineers, technologists, and explorers of tomorrow. History shows that this nation accomplishes incredible things when it is focused and united. That is how we achieved the historic success of the Apollo Program more than 50 years ago. That is how we have explored the reaches of our solar system, established an ongoing presence of more than 20 years in space aboard the International Space Station, launched the Hubble Space Telescope that has opened the reaches of the universe to our eyes, landed rovers on Mars that have returned evidence of water on the Red Planet, and even flown a drone helicopter on another world as part of the latest Mars exploration mission.
Today, a new generation looks to the skies and to new exploration missions and endeavors. The challenges are great, and some might even question if the daring missions ahead can be achieved. However, I am excited to see leaders unite in their vision for space exploration, to see the American people focused on the importance and value of such efforts, and to see the nation as a whole committed to providing the resources needed for our exploration programs and missions.
For more information about Stennis Space Center, visit: www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis.