NASA Stennis Engineer Huy Nguyen: Following in Family's Footsteps into NASA's Artemis Era
Huy Nguyen's journey to NASA Stennis Space Center is a testament to the power of family influence and a lifelong passion for space exploration. Growing up in a household where rocket engines and space flight were common dinner topics, thanks to his parents' work at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Nguyen's path to NASA Stennis was almost inevitable.
"My parents created an environment that fostered my curiosity and problem-solving skills," Nguyen shared. "They instilled in me a love for learning and a desire to tackle challenges."
Now, as the electrical controls engineer for propulsion testing support areas at NASA Stennis, Nguyen is at the forefront of NASA's Artemis campaign to return humans to the Moon. His role is pivotal in ensuring the success of the Green Run test series, which validated the first SLS (Space Launch System) core stage for the Artemis I test flight.
Nguyen's work involves two critical challenges: maintaining legacy systems with hard-to-find replacement parts and modernizing them with robust control systems for better monitoring and maintenance. What truly excites him is bridging old and new technology by creating improved user interfaces and integrating modern controls with existing infrastructure.
"This is what makes my work so rewarding," he said. "I get to combine my technical expertise with creativity to enhance the efficiency and reliability of our testing processes."
One of the most memorable moments in Nguyen's NASA career was the Green Run test series. As the engineer overseeing controls operations for the NASA Stennis High Pressure Gas Facility and High Pressure Industrial Water Facility, Nguyen played a crucial role in ensuring the complex systems ran flawlessly to supply helium, nitrogen, air, and water for the SLS core stage testing.
"It was an intense 24-hour operation," he recalled. "Multiple systems had to work in perfect harmony to support the massive SLS core stage for a sitewide stress test. Seeing everyone focused on a single goal was truly inspiring."
The Green Run testing series concluded on March 18, 2021, with the SLS core stage firing its four RS-25 engines for a full mission duration of 8 minutes and 19 seconds. This final hot fire test was the most powerful propulsion test at the center in over 40 years.
As NASA continues to prepare for Artemis II, Nguyen's work in upgrading these critical facilities is essential to ensuring NASA Stennis remains ready to support humanity's next giant leaps into deep space. When the Artemis II mission launches in 2026, Nguyen looks forward to witnessing the test flight around the Moon with his parents and young nephews, hoping to spark their interest in space travel.
"I want my nephews to see the wonders of space exploration," Nguyen said. "The Artemis campaign will not only prepare us for future human exploration of Mars but also inspire the next generation of explorers."
