4 min read<\/p>\n
NASA\u2019s Modern History Makers: Carlos Garcia-Galan<\/h1>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Carlos](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/bc21247-.jpg?w=1365\")
<\/figure>\nCarlos Garcia-Galan poses in front of the American flag in the Electric Propulsion and Power Laboratory at NASA\u2019s Glenn Research Center.<\/div>\nCredit: NASA\/Bridget Caswell<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\nAs a little boy in M\u00e1laga, Spain, Carlos Garcia-Galan had his sights set on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something that called to me from the very beginning. I remember listening to the space shuttle countdowns and watching the launches on television,\u201d said Garcia-Galan, European Service Module (ESM) Integration Office manager for NASA\u2019s Orion program. \u201cThe entire sky would light up at night.\u201d<\/p>\n
Garcia-Galan wanted to be part of the team working behind the scenes to send astronauts on challenging missions to distant destinations. But there were few opportunities to work in space exploration from his home country, he said. To pursue his dreams, he\u2019d first have to cross the Atlantic Ocean.<\/p>\n
\u201cWorking for NASA was my only objective,\u201d Garcia-Galan said. \u201cMy dad was a pilot, and my mom was a flight attendant. So, I had this adventure thing already, and I traveled a lot growing up because of them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Garcia-Galan came to America his senior year of high school as an exchange student in New Jersey, later attending the Florida Institute of Technology\u2019s space science program. He graduated with degrees in space science and electrical engineering.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I was graduating with my second degree, all of my friends from the space science program had already graduated and started working in Mission Operations at NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center,\u201d Garcia-Galan said. \u201cNASA was just about to fly the first module of the International Space Station, so I was able to get a job before I finished my degree. It was great timing.\u201d<\/p>\n
At Johnson, Garcia-Galan worked as a flight controller for the space station, managing electrical power systems. He left NASA to broaden his knowledge by working in industry but eventually returned. Now, he works on the European Service Module<\/a> \u2014 the powerhouse that provides electricity, water, oxygen, nitrogen, and propulsion to the Orion spacecraft<\/a>. Proven during Artemis I, Orion will carry astronauts to the Moon and back during future Artemis<\/a> missions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ksc-20230522-ph-ams01-0009medium.jpg?w=1280\")
<\/figure>\nThe Orion crew module\u2019s European Service Module is the spacecraft\u2019s powerhouse, supplying it with electricity, propulsion, thermal control, air, and water in space.<\/div>\nCredit: NASA\/Amanda Stevenson<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nGarcia-Galan manages the ESM and the team working with European counterparts to design, build, and fully integrate the mission-specific modules with their Orion spacecraft.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s hard enough to build spacecraft across the United States with all the contractors; imagine doing this across different continents,\u201d he said. \u201cI want to make sure we\u2019re one team.\u201d<\/p>\n
When the modules arrive from Europe, his team ensures that they are ready for pre-flight tests and, ultimately, the mission.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn my team, I have engineers who represent different disciplines,\u201d Garcia-Galan said. \u201cThe ESM is like its own spacecraft, so we have everything from propulsion to mechanisms to thermal systems. I keep the whole team synchronized and working to our full potential.\u201d<\/p>\n
Garcia-Galan encourages others interested in space exploration to pursue their interests, no matter where they are from.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you want to be part of something bigger than yourself \u2014 something that takes an entire team of people across different countries \u2014 space exploration is a great place to exercise that,\u201d Garcia-Galan said. \u201cWe have engineers, communicators, teachers, and astronauts, and everybody is working toward the same goal. You can be part of that. Just be persistent, have a goal in mind, don\u2019t get turned away by adversities, and you may end up here at NASA.\u201d<\/p>\n
NASA is in a Golden Era of aeronautics and space exploration. In partnership with commercial and private businesses, NASA is currently making history with significant missions such as Artemis, <\/em>Quesst<\/em><\/a>, and electrified aviation. The NASA\u2019s Modern History Makers series highlights members of NASA Glenn\u2019s workforce who make these remarkable missions possible.<\/em><\/p>\nJacqueline Minerd
NASA\u2019s Glenn Research Center<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nPowered by WPeMatico<\/a><\/small><\/p>\nGet The Details…<\/a>
\nKelly M. Matter <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<back to gallery As a little boy in M\u00e1laga, Spain, Carlos Garcia-Galan had his sights set on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. \u201cIt\u2019s something that called to me from the very beginning. I remember listening to the space shuttle countdowns and watching the launches on television,\u201d said Garcia-Galan, European Service Module (ESM) Integration Office manager [\u2026] Continue reading
<\/figure>As a little boy in M\u00e1laga, Spain, Carlos Garcia-Galan had his sights set on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s something that called to me from the very beginning. I remember listening to the space shuttle countdowns and watching the launches on television,\u201d said Garcia-Galan, European Service Module (ESM) Integration Office manager for NASA\u2019s Orion program. \u201cThe entire sky would light up at night.\u201d<\/p>\n Garcia-Galan wanted to be part of the team working behind the scenes to send astronauts on challenging missions to distant destinations. But there were few opportunities to work in space exploration from his home country, he said. To pursue his dreams, he\u2019d first have to cross the Atlantic Ocean.<\/p>\n \u201cWorking for NASA was my only objective,\u201d Garcia-Galan said. \u201cMy dad was a pilot, and my mom was a flight attendant. So, I had this adventure thing already, and I traveled a lot growing up because of them.\u201d<\/p>\n Garcia-Galan came to America his senior year of high school as an exchange student in New Jersey, later attending the Florida Institute of Technology\u2019s space science program. He graduated with degrees in space science and electrical engineering.<\/p>\n \u201cAs I was graduating with my second degree, all of my friends from the space science program had already graduated and started working in Mission Operations at NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center,\u201d Garcia-Galan said. \u201cNASA was just about to fly the first module of the International Space Station, so I was able to get a job before I finished my degree. It was great timing.\u201d<\/p>\n At Johnson, Garcia-Galan worked as a flight controller for the space station, managing electrical power systems. He left NASA to broaden his knowledge by working in industry but eventually returned. Now, he works on the European Service Module<\/a> \u2014 the powerhouse that provides electricity, water, oxygen, nitrogen, and propulsion to the Orion spacecraft<\/a>. Proven during Artemis I, Orion will carry astronauts to the Moon and back during future Artemis<\/a> missions.<\/p>\n Garcia-Galan manages the ESM and the team working with European counterparts to design, build, and fully integrate the mission-specific modules with their Orion spacecraft.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard enough to build spacecraft across the United States with all the contractors; imagine doing this across different continents,\u201d he said. \u201cI want to make sure we\u2019re one team.\u201d<\/p>\n When the modules arrive from Europe, his team ensures that they are ready for pre-flight tests and, ultimately, the mission.<\/p>\n \u201cOn my team, I have engineers who represent different disciplines,\u201d Garcia-Galan said. \u201cThe ESM is like its own spacecraft, so we have everything from propulsion to mechanisms to thermal systems. I keep the whole team synchronized and working to our full potential.\u201d<\/p>\n Garcia-Galan encourages others interested in space exploration to pursue their interests, no matter where they are from.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you want to be part of something bigger than yourself \u2014 something that takes an entire team of people across different countries \u2014 space exploration is a great place to exercise that,\u201d Garcia-Galan said. \u201cWe have engineers, communicators, teachers, and astronauts, and everybody is working toward the same goal. You can be part of that. Just be persistent, have a goal in mind, don\u2019t get turned away by adversities, and you may end up here at NASA.\u201d<\/p>\n NASA is in a Golden Era of aeronautics and space exploration. In partnership with commercial and private businesses, NASA is currently making history with significant missions such as Artemis, <\/em>Quesst<\/em><\/a>, and electrified aviation. The NASA\u2019s Modern History Makers series highlights members of NASA Glenn\u2019s workforce who make these remarkable missions possible.<\/em><\/p>\n Jacqueline Minerd Powered by WPeMatico<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n Get The Details…<\/a> <back to gallery As a little boy in M\u00e1laga, Spain, Carlos Garcia-Galan had his sights set on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. \u201cIt\u2019s something that called to me from the very beginning. I remember listening to the space shuttle countdowns and watching the launches on television,\u201d said Garcia-Galan, European Service Module (ESM) Integration Office manager [\u2026] Continue reading <\/figure>
NASA\u2019s Glenn Research Center<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
\nKelly M. Matter <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"