By the time the Artemis II Orion spacecraft launches to the moon next year, many of its components will have already traveled thousands of miles and moved through multiple sites before coming together at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Branel Rodriguez, Artemis II vehicle manager for the Orion program, has observed many parts of this journey. Its mission is to ensure the spacecraft is ready for its historic mission – taking people to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years.
Based at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Rodriguez was involved in every stage of the spacecraft's life cycle, from development and production to testing and final launch readiness. Her leadership at the program level is focused on ensuring spacecraft hardware and subsystems are integrated and ready for flight. Most recently, she worked closely with Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy to oversee the spacecraft's movement into the Vehicle Assembly Building, where it was coupled to NASA's SLS (Space Launch System) rocket. “We are training and preparing our teams so that we can embark on the Artemis II mission,” she said.
Her 21-year NASA career spanned many positions at Johnson. She began working in the center's engineering directorate, designing and manufacturing life support and habitation equipment for the Space Shuttle program and the International Space Station program. She went on to lead teams of engineers and flight controllers tasked with troubleshooting anomalies aboard the International Space Station in real time before moving on to the Orion program in 2022.
“Looking back, every role I've held, every team I've been a part of, and every milestone we've achieved together has been truly remarkable,” she said. “I’m incredibly proud to have played a part in all of this.”
Rodriguez has been fascinated by space since childhood. “Growing up in northern Minnesota, I was fortunate to regularly admire the beauty of clear, starry skies,” she recalled. When Rodriguez was a teenager, her family encouraged her to attend the Space Academy in Huntsville, Alabama, where she participated in simulated astronaut training, flight controller simulations and hands-on engineering projects. “It was a life-changing experience that only deepened my passion for space exploration.”
Rodriguez applied to NASA's internship program while studying mechanical engineering at the University of North Dakota. She was not accepted, but she did not give up. She spent a semester interning at Dow Chemical to gain more experience while continuing to apply for internships at several NASA centers. “On my eighth try, I was accepted into Johnson,” she said. Three internships and one graduation later, Rodriguez received a permanent position in the Crew and Thermal Systems Division of the Engineering Directorate. “It’s been an incredible journey and a dream come true,” she said.
As a student-athlete, Rodriguez understood the importance of teamwork from a young age, but said its value became apparent after joining NASA. “Some goals take time. There will be setbacks and challenges, but when you stick together, you build the kind of trust and relationships that are the foundation for long-term success,” she said. “This is exactly what NASA is all about. We take on the most complex and ambitious challenges imaginable, and we do it as a team.”
She added: “Especially now, it’s more important than ever to remember what we are capable of when we work together and celebrate victories – big or small – because each one brings us closer to the extraordinary.”
Rodriguez also appreciates having a team outside the office. One of the biggest challenges she faced was balancing the demands of a fulfilling and rewarding career with the needs of her family. “Like many parents, there are days when everything seems in sync and days when I know I'm falling short,” she said, acknowledging that she has to constantly adapt to changing needs and prioritize tasks to stay focused on what's most important at any given moment. “I am extremely grateful to my family,” she said. “They are my foundation and they truly understand and support my passion for the work I do. Without their love and the entire village that helps make it all possible, I would not be where I am today.”
Rodriguez hopes to pass on his desire to continue research to his children and future generations. “As humans, we naturally strive to grow, learn and push beyond our limits,” she said. “Space exploration is still in its early stages when viewed through the lens of history, and the achievements of the next generation will be truly remarkable. I want them to advance the curiosity, courage and determination needed to reach new frontiers and discover the unknown.”
