I Am Artemis: Doug Parkinson leads SLS launch operations

Doug Parkinson is NASA's Launch Integration and Mission Operations lead for the Space Launch System and oversees the team that monitors the rocket during testing, pre-launch, and launch; he joined Marshall Space Flight Center in 1999 and moved to the SLS program in 2012.

Doug Parkinson is NASA's Launch Integration and Mission Operations lead for the Space Launch System program. He guides engineers who monitor the rocket during testing, pre-launch activities, and launch. Parkinson joined Marshall Space Flight Center in 1999 and moved to the SLS program in 2012 after work in propulsion testing. He previously worked on liquid rocket engines, including Fastrac and the J-2X. Key facts: - Parkinson leads Launch Integration and Mission Operations for the SLS program and is the first person to hold that leadership position. - He helps oversee and train the SLS Engineering Support Team that monitors rocket systems from NASA Marshall. - He began working at Marshall in 1999 and moved into the SLS program in 2012 following propulsion test operations experience. - Parkinson worked on advanced liquid rocket engines such as Fastrac and the J-2X. - The SLS rocket will launch NASA's Orion spacecraft, and Artemis II is planned to carry four astronauts on a lunar flyby. - Parkinson said he expects to be on console for part of the Artemis II flyby. Summary: Parkinson's work supports SLS operations that will aid upcoming Artemis missions, including the planned Artemis II lunar flyby with four astronauts. Undetermined at this time.