NASA features Kennedy Space Center engineer in new Artemis personnel profile

NASA has released an audio excerpt and written profile featuring Anton Kiriwas as part of its 'I Am Artemis' series. The feature highlights the career trajectory of Kiriwas, a senior technical integration manager for the Exploration Ground Systems Program, tracing his path from the Space Shuttle Program and United Launch Alliance to his current position at Kennedy Space Center.

In his current capacity as a launch project engineer, Kiriwas serves as a vital link between various engineering disciplines and the launch director. Strategically positioned at the integration console within Firing Room 1 of the Launch Control Center, he provides the final technical recommendations required for go or no-go decisions during countdowns. This role requires him to work across all engineering disciplines to ensure the spacecraft and crew are launched safely.

Following the completion of the Artemis II mission, Kiriwas is currently analysing the lessons learned from that flight. Simultaneously, he is overseeing the preparation of hardware for the upcoming Artemis III lunar surface mission, which is currently being processed at Kennedy Space Center. His work involves pulling the technical community together to troubleshoot issues and determining the necessary steps to proceed with the mission.

Kiriwas describes the operational environment as one defined by rigorous training and simulations designed to prepare for every conceivable scenario. While the ideal launch day is smooth and uneventful, the team remains ready for any complication. He emphasises the need for discipline and clarity, particularly when excitement is running high, noting that adrenaline must not turn into 'launch fever'.

"There is adrenaline to get to launch, but you want to be careful to never let that turn into 'launch fever'," Kiriwas said in the profile. "We need to launch exactly when we're ready and not a moment before." This philosophy underpins his approach to managing the complex logistics and technical requirements of returning humans to the Moon for the first time in more than half a century.

The profile notes that Kiriwas's journey to NASA began with a chance encounter at a college job fair, where an image of the Moon and Mars captured his imagination. He initially viewed the prospect as a distant dream, yet he eventually joined NASA as a civil servant to design electrical systems before advancing to his current role where he helps realise that vision.