NASA’s Erick Holsonback: A Key Player in the Artemis Campaign and the Evolution of the SLS Rocket

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket is a crucial component of the agency’s Artemis campaign, which aims to return humans to the Moon and pave the way for future missions to Mars. One of the individuals instrumental in the production and launch operations of the SLS rocket’s exploration upper stage (EUS) is Erick Holsonback, a Jacobs Technology employee and subsystem manager for production and launch operations.

Holsonback’s responsibilities extend from setting up production for the future upper stage at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans to preparing it for launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. His enthusiasm for tackling technical challenges is evident in his role, as he is part of a capability that will send more crew and cargo to the Moon in a single launch than any other current rocket.

Born and raised in North Georgia, Holsonback harbored dreams of becoming an astronaut and tinkering with hot rods. However, his career trajectory took a different turn when Pratt & Whitney offered him a job working on space shuttle main engine turbomachinery straight out of college in 1997. Although he briefly left the space industry, he seized the opportunity to rejoin it with the SLS Program in 2016 at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

Holsonback’s passion for space challenges extends beyond the office. In his spare time, he has mentored and coached his two daughters’ technology challenge competitions. While the primary focus is on robotics, Holsonback takes pride in the problem-solving, technology, and project management skills he imparts to the team. These lessons mirror his NASA role, as he contributes to the foundation work that will shape the future of space exploration.

The Artemis campaign is a significant milestone for NASA, as it aims to land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon. SLS is a vital part of this endeavor, serving as the backbone for deep space exploration alongside the Orion spacecraft, advanced spacesuits and rovers, the Gateway in orbit around the Moon, and commercial human landing systems. SLS is the only rocket capable of sending Orion, astronauts, and supplies to the Moon in a single launch.

NASA, established in 1958, is an agency dedicated to exploring the unknown in air and space, innovating for the benefit of humanity, and inspiring the world through discovery. The organization’s mission is to expand human understanding of the universe and improve life on Earth. With the Artemis campaign, NASA is taking a monumental step towards achieving these goals by returning to the Moon and pushing the boundaries of space exploration.

Holsonback’s role in the SLS rocket and Artemis campaign is a testament to the agency’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and exploration. His enthusiasm for technical challenges and dedication to his work are essential components of the team that is making history through the Artemis campaign.

The SLS rocket’s evolution to the Block 1B variant for missions beginning with Artemis IV includes the new exploration upper stage and universal stage adapter. These upgrades will enable the SLS rocket to send 40% more payload to the Moon in a single launch, simplifying operations in the challenging space environment.

Holsonback’s journey from wanting to be an astronaut as a child to managing the production and launch operations of a Moon rocket stage is a testament to his passion for space exploration. His role in the Artemis campaign is not only professionally rewarding but also personally fulfilling, as he contributes to the foundation work that will shape the future of space exploration.

NASA’s Artemis campaign is a significant step towards returning humans to the Moon and paving the way for future missions to Mars. With the SLS rocket as its backbone, the organization is making history and expanding human understanding of the universe. Erick Holsonback’s enthusiasm and dedication to his role in the production and launch operations of the exploration upper stage are essential components of this groundbreaking endeavor.

In conclusion, Erick Holsonback’s role in NASA’s SLS rocket and Artemis campaign is a testament to the agency’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and exploration. His passion for technical challenges and dedication to his work are essential components of the team that is making history through the Artemis campaign. The SLS rocket’s evolution to the Block 1B variant and the Artemis campaign’s goal of landing the first woman and first person of color on the Moon are significant milestones in NASA’s mission to expand human understanding of the universe and improve life on Earth.