Johnson Space Center Director includes new role; ‘Artemis’ lunar program is close to the starting line

Vanessa Wyche moved from associate director to director of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center last July, and became the first woman and person of color to lead.

Since then, she has been “head down and focused” as she described it as the JSC before and at the center of NASA’s plans to return to the moon.

The many moving parts to do so will be centered on the Artemis I rocket, which lifts the Orion capsule to the moon.

Wyche is a guest on Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall and says the name Artemis is not an accident.

“She was the twin sister in Greek mythology to Apollo, and so with our astronaut corps diversifying, we will now have women and men and people of color who are now coming to the lunar surface,” she said.

Artemis moon rocket ready for dress rehearsal

The Artemis lunar rocket has been moved to the launch site for what is being called a wet clothing test in April.

During this time, the rocket is propelled and all systems are inspected. “We’re going to test loading the liquids and everything it takes to actually start and count them,” Wyche said. “We even practice for when we have a weather delay or when we have to scrub or something so that our technicians can be ready.”

Ad

Astronauts, Russian cosmonauts share International Space Station

As Russia continues its attack on Ukraine, there is one area where the Russians and the Americans agree, including cosmonauts and astronauts on the International Space Station.

Even if Ukraine is attacked, Russian cosmonauts will be launched on the ISS and the cooperation that has existed for decades will continue.

“We understand that conflicts are taking place, but we need to continue to be partners in order to keep the space station going,” said JSC Director Wyche. “And so when they work together, there are no conflicts.”

Much more in this week’s program included details about the effort to land on the moon, how NASA continues to offer great benefits to local, state, national and international communities, and more.

For more information on this week’s Houston Newsmakers

· Vanessa Wyche, director of the Johnson Space Center

· Website: https://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/about/people/orgs/bios/wyche.html