With over 25 years of expertise in human spaceflight packages, Melissa Harris has contributed to quite a few packages and tasks throughout key moments in NASA’s historical past. Because the life cycle lead and Unbiased Evaluation Crew overview supervisor for the Industrial Low Earth Orbit Growth Program, she guides the company via improvement initiatives resulting in a brand new period of house exploration.
Harris grew up close to NASA’s Johnson House Middle in Houston and frolicked exploring the middle and making an attempt on astronaut helmets. She later earned her bachelor’s diploma in authorized research from the College of Houston, grasp and subject material skilled certifications in configuration administration, and ISO 9001 Lead Auditors Certification. When the chance arose, she jumped on the probability to affix the Worldwide House Station Program.
Beginning as a board specialist, Harris spent eight years supporting the house station program boards, panels, and flight opinions. Different areas of help included the Worldwide House Station Mission Analysis Room and the EVA Crew Methods and Robotics Division managing adjustments for the acquisition and constructing of mockups within the Impartial Buoyancy Laboratory and House Automobile Mockup Facility in Houston. She then took a leap to affix the Constellation Program, creating and overseeing program and mission workplace processes and procedures. Harris then transitioned to the Extravehicular Exercise (EVA) Venture Workplace the place she was a member of the EVA 23 high quality audit staff tasked with reviewing information to find out the reason for an in-orbit failure. She additionally contributed to the Orion Program and Artemis marketing campaign. After spending two years at Axiom House, Harris returned to NASA and joined the industrial low Earth orbit staff.
Harris stated the most important lesson she has realized throughout her profession is that “there are all the time ups and downs and never every part works out, however in the event you simply maintain going and on the finish of the day see that the arduous work and dedication has paid off, it’s all the time the proudest second.”
Her dedication led to a nomination for the Stellar Award by the Rotary Nationwide Award for House Achievement Basis.
Harris’ favourite a part of her position at NASA is working “intently with good minds” and being a part of a devoted and hard-working staff that contributes to present house packages whereas additionally planning for future packages. Wanting ahead, she anticipates witnessing the imaginative and prescient and execution of a self-sustaining industrial market in low Earth orbit come to fruition.
Outdoors of labor, Harris enjoys being with household, whether or not cooking on the again porch, over a campfire, or touring each in and overseas. She has been married for 26 years to her highschool sweetheart, Steve, and has one son, Tyler. Her equivalent twin sister, Yvonne, additionally works at Johnson.
Be taught extra about NASA’s Industrial Low Earth Orbit Growth Program at: