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By Wayne Smith<\/em><\/p>\n From preparing for flight readiness, to providing day-of-launch support, to delivering a critical piece of replacement hardware, NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center played an integral role in the agency\u2019s crew flight test to the International Space Station.<\/p>\n The Starliner spacecraft \u2013 NASA\u2019s Boeing crew flight test (CFT) powered by a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket \u2013 successfully launched June 5 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The flight test carried NASA astronauts\u00a0Butch Wilmore\u00a0and\u00a0Suni Williams\u00a0to the space station to test the spacecraft and its subsystems before NASA certifies the transportation system for rotational missions to the orbiting laboratory for the agency\u2019s Commercial Crew Program.<\/p>\n The Boeing Starliner spacecraft successfully docked to the space station June 6. NASA and Boeing teams set a return date of no earlier than June 18 for the crew flight test. The additional time in orbit will allow the space station crews to perform a spacewalk June 13, while engineers complete Starliner systems checkouts. Coverage of the spacewalk begins at 5:30 a.m. on NASA TV.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was incredible to witness yet another historic moment in this new era of space exploration,\u201d said Marshall Director Joseph Pelfrey. \u201cI am immensely proud of our Marshall team for providing the critical support needed to ensure this test flight is as safe as possible. This is just one example of how Marshall is utilizing our capabilities through strategic partnerships to expand space exploration for all humankind.\u201d<\/p>\n Launch Support<\/strong><\/p>\n Marshall\u2019s role within the Commercial Crew Program, or CCP, is to support certification that the spacecraft and launch vehicle are ready for launch. The support team performs engineering expertise, particularly for propulsion, as well as program management, safety and mission assurance, and spacecraft support. These efforts ultimately lead up to day-of launch support from the Marshall\u2019s Huntsville Operations Support Center (HOSC).<\/p>\n Eighteen Marshall team members supported the launch from inside the HOSC. The team\u2019s primary focus was ensuring the cryo-tanking of the liquid propellants and pressurants on the Centaur and the Atlas V booster went as planned.\u00a0That included monitoring the replacement self-regulating vent valve (SRV), since the valve it replaced caused the launch scrub on the first attempt.<\/p>\n \u201cThe replacement SRV performed perfectly after liquid oxygen load into the Centaur tank,\u201d said David Gwaltney, CCP interim Launch Vehicle Systems Office deputy manager. \u201cThe other team members ensured the pre-launch testing for the thrust vector control and the engine cooldown purges in preparation for launch were proceeding properly. Everyone was extremely happy when the launch successfully occurred on the third attempt.\u201d<\/p>\n Understandably, the HOSC is always a hive of activity on launch day, resulting in a sense of pride and accomplishment for the support team for their contributions toward successful NASA missions. However, the crew flight test of the Starliner was different.<\/p>\n \u201cEach and every Commercial Crew Program mission is special in its own way, especially as we continue to forge a new era of spaceflight while working with commercial partners,\u201d said Maggie Freeman, a program analyst supporting the Launch Vehicle Systems Office within CCP at Marshall. \u201cThe crew flight test launch is particularly special to us because it is the first time we have crew aboard the Atlas V on a CCP mission. We were extremely excited to support launch and watch them safely board the International Space Station.\u201d<\/p>\n Critical Hardware Delivery<\/strong><\/p>\n Marshall also used the mission to deliver hardware to the space station \u2013 a replacement for the Urine Processor Pump Control Processor Assembly (PCPA). A malfunctioning pump necessitated an expedited delivery, NASA officials said June 7, requiring a cargo change for the mission. The PCPA converts the crew\u2019s urine into drinkable water.<\/p>\n \u201cThis component is critical for space station operations and CFT was the first available mission providing an opportunity for the replacement to be delivered,\u201d Freeman said.\u00a0 \u201cDue to the PCPA being a large piece of hardware, the ISS, Boeing, and CCP teams assessed the cargo swap requirements and exercised tremendous agility in performing a rapid turnaround to ensure that ISS operations would be maintained.\u201d<\/p>\n Pre-Flight Test Readiness Review<\/strong><\/p>\n The launch would not have happened without the certification efforts supported by the Marshall CCP team. The first Marshall Center Director CFT Pre-Flight Test Readiness Review was successfully completed in April. After the initial launch attempt May 6, the integrated Boeing, ULA, and CCP teams worked diligently to ensure crew safety remained the top priority. A second round of test readiness was scheduled, with the Marshall CCP team conducting a Marshall Center Director CFT delta pre-flight test readiness review in late May.<\/p>\n For Starliner, the Marshall team\u2019s primary focus was on the certification of the spacecraft\u2019s thrusters, which are the propulsion systems used for translational and rotational control of the spacecraft while on-orbit. The thrusters are essential to mission success, ensuring the spacecraft can get from its initial insertion orbit to the space station and then back to Earth with precisely controlled burns.<\/p>\n Boeing contracted with NASA to use the ULA Atlas V rocket to launch Starliner into orbit. Marshall\u2019s Launch Vehicle Propulsion team evaluated the propulsion systems for the rocket to certify they were ready to launch astronauts to the space station.<\/p>\n \u201cThis includes following any build issues, evaluating any changes to the vehicles, and working with our partners to ensure that the launch vehicle is ready to fly,\u201d said Miranda Holton, CCP Launch Vehicle Propulsion Systems manager.<\/p>\n The HOSC provides engineering and mission operations support for the space station, the Commercial Crew Program, and Artemis missions, as well as science and technology demonstration missions. The Payload Operations Integration Center within HOSC operates, plans, and coordinates the science experiments onboard the space station 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.<\/p>\n Smith, a Media Fusion employee and the Marshall Star editor, supports the Marshall Office of Communications.<\/em><\/p>\n \u203a Back to Top<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n By Jessica Barnett<\/em><\/p>\n Seventeen team members at NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center joined an elite group within the agency\u2019s ranks June 11 as they accepted an award that\u2019s granted to less than 1% of NASA\u2019s workforce: the Silver Snoopy.<\/p>\n An astronaut presents the award each year to NASA employees and contractors who have gone above and beyond in contributing to the human spaceflight program. It is a symbol of the intent and spirit of Space Flight Awareness and includes a sterling silver Snoopy lapel pin that has flown in space, along with a certificate of appreciation and a commendation letter for the employee, both signed by the astronaut.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of my favorite parts about my job is getting to share and celebrate the accomplishments of the best that NASA has to offer, and helping to give out the Silver Snoopy awards is just that opportunity,\u201d said Larry Leopard, who serves as associate director, technical, at Marshall and joined NASA astronaut Kate Rubins to present the awards. \u201cThese employees embody the More to Marshall slogan \u2013 words that signify growth, ambition, and continuous improvement. They\u2019re leaders in cultivating a mindset where every one of us is encouraged to think differently, act decisively, and innovate relentlessly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we are doing highly dangerous activities, like getting on a rocket to the International Space Station or developing programs for Moon to Mars, we rely on everyone in NASA to support that end goal of exploration and safety,\u201d Rubins said. \u201cOur mission success is in their hands, and this is our way of saying thank you for everything they do.\u201d<\/p>\n The following team members were honored during the ceremony in Activities Building 4316:<\/p>\n The Silver Snoopy pins awarded flew on NASA\u2019s SpaceX Cargo Resupply Mission-9. The Silver Snoopy award is one of eight awards presented annually by Space Flight Awareness. Additional information, including eligibility criteria, can be found\u00a0here.\u00a0<\/p>\n Barnett, a Media Fusion employee, supports the Marshall Office of Communications.<\/em><\/p>\n \u203a Back to Top<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n By Daniel Boyette<\/em><\/p>\n Advanced space nuclear propulsion systems are critical to\u00a0NASA\u2019s Moon to Mars vision. On May 15, one of the individuals at the forefront of those future exploration efforts was honored for his contributions.<\/p>\n Kurt Polzin, chief engineer for the\u00a0Space Nuclear Propulsion Office\u00a0at NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center, received the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Engineer of the Year award during its awards gala at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington.<\/p>\n \u201cThe use of nuclear technologies will become increasingly important as the nation returns humans to the Moon and then goes onward to Mars, and realizing these benefits will take not just a NASA effort, but a national effort,\u201d Polzin told the audience.\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s a privilege to work with and lead some of the best people in government, industry, and academia, bringing the nation closer to a future where nuclear power and propulsion technologies in space become common. What we do today will enable science missions and human exploration beyond anything humans have ever achieved for current and future generations of scientists and explorers.\u201d<\/p>\n Since 2021, Polzin has overseen NASA\u2019s nuclear propulsion technology development and maturation efforts. He\u2019s also the chief engineer for\u00a0the agency\u2019s partnership\u00a0with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) on the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) program, which aims to demonstrate a nuclear thermal propulsion system in space as soon as 2027.<\/p>\n \u201cTo live and work on the Moon, we\u2019ll need a power and transportation infrastructure, and nuclear space systems offer key capability benefits over current state-of-art,\u201d said Anthony Calomino, NASA\u2019s Space Nuclear Technologies portfolio manager under the agency\u2019s\u00a0Space Technology Mission Directorate. \u201cKurt\u2019s leadership in this journey to mature our space nuclear propulsion technology is what will get us there. We are proud to see him recognized as AIAA\u2019s Engineer of the Year.\u201d<\/p>\n Q&A with Kurt Polzin<\/strong><\/p>\n Q: <\/strong>What were your emotions when you went to accept the award?<\/p>\n Polzin:<\/strong>\u00a0The list of those who have previously received this award is long and illustrious, so it is an honor to be nominated for it. Being selected by my peers as the recipient was a very thrilling and humbling experience. Receiving it at the Kennedy Center, in the presence of many aerospace leaders and my wife in the audience, made it a truly unique and memorable experience.<\/p>\n Q: <\/strong>You\u2019ve previously stated that individual awards are really team awards. How has being a member of a team helped you to be successful?<\/p>\n Polzin:<\/strong>\u00a0Realizing big ideas requires the contributions and expertise of many people across a range of skills and disciplines, and using nuclear technologies in space is about the most significant idea there is. The team we assembled and continue to grow consists of true experts in their disciplines. I constantly rely on them to ensure we are asking the right questions and making investments to advance our capabilities and position the nation for success.\u00a0<\/p>\n Q: <\/strong>What excites you most about the future of space exploration?<\/p>\n Polzin:<\/strong>\u00a0In my lifetime, we have never been closer to fully realizing the benefits of nuclear power and propulsion in space. We now have the potential to cross the threshold and open a new era where nuclear technologies will bring about truly transformational change in how we approach all aspects of space exploration.<\/p>\n Before his current role, Polzin was the Space Systems Team lead in Marshall\u2019s Advanced Concepts Office. He joined NASA in 2004 as a propulsion research engineer.<\/p>\n Polzin has a doctorate and a master\u2019s in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University in New Jersey and a bachelor\u2019s in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Ohio State University in Columbus.<\/p>\n He authored or co-authored over 140 publications, including a recently published monograph, and he holds six U.S. patents. He has also been an adjunct professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville for many years, teaching graduate-level courses in physics and engineering.<\/p>\n Polzin\u2019s other honors include the AIAA Sustained Service Award, the AIAA Greater Huntsville Section\u2019s Martin Schilling Outstanding Service and Earl Pearce Professional of the Year, and multiple NASA Patent, Special Service, and Group Achievement awards. He is an associate fellow of AIAA and a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.<\/p>\n NASA\u2019s Space Technology Mission Directorate funds the SNP Office.<\/p>\n With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries and 95 corporate members, AIAA is the world\u2019s largest technical society dedicated to the global aerospace profession.<\/p>\n Learn more about Space Nuclear Propulsion.<\/p>\n Boyette, a Media Fusion employee, supports the Space Nuclear Propulsion Office and Marshall\u2019s Office of Strategic Analysis & Communications.<\/em><\/p>\n \u203a Back to Top<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n \n\n