National Aeronautics and Space Administration

www.nasa.gov

Toward a More 

Automated 

& Intelligent 

Digital Universe

IT Talk

Jan - Mar 2023 Volume 13 • Issue 1
IT Talk

Jan - Mar 2023 Volume 13 • Issue 1

Office of the CIO

NASA Headquarters

Mary W. Jackson Building

300 E Street SW

Washington, D.C. 20546

Chief Information Officer

Jeff Seaton

Editor & Publication Manager

Eldora Valentine

Graphic & Web Designer

Michael Porterfield

Copy Editor

Meredith Isaacs

Mia Roundtree

IT Talk is an official publication of the 

Office of the Chief Information Officer 

of the National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration, Headquarters, 

Washington, D.C. It is published 

by the OCIO office for all NASA 

employees and external audiences.

For distribution questions or to 

suggest a story idea, email:

eldora.valentine-1@nasa.gov

To read IT Talk online visit:

www.nasa.gov/offices/ocio/ittalk

For more info on the OCIO:

v www.nasa.gov/offices/ocio

v nasa.sharepoint.com/sites/cio/

 (Internal NASA network only)

v www.nasa.gov/open/

www.facebook.com/NASAcio

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Message From 

the NASA CIO

Toward a More

Automated and Intelligent 

Digital Universe

Artificial

Intelligence

at NASA

NaTS Ensures

Artemis I

Mission Success

NASA’s Digital 

Transformation:

Where Are We Now?

In this Issue
In 2023, the world will see some major leaps in technology. In this issue we’ll 

explore NASA’s innovations and developments in transformative technologies such 

as artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT), virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) and cloud computing. 

We’ll also give you a behind the scenes look at how the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) supported and enabled some of this years’ landmark missions 

such as the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Artemis 1 launch. 

And we will look at the new Commercial IT Request (CITR) process OCIO is 

implementing based on Center best-practices that makes buying NASA IT easier 

for everyone. This mission enabling capability takes the headache out of ordering 

equipment and provides a single automated and transparent workflow process. 

Finally, we’ll dive into the world of NASA’s Digital Transformation (DT). DT is about 

changing the way the agency operates and is enabling NASA’s missions to be completed more efficiently and effectively. 

Over the past year, several projects have been launched which allow us to chart a new course on our journey to reshape 

our processes and culture. 

We have a lot of great things coming in 2023. I’m excited for the road ahead! Happy reading and Happy New Year!

With gratitude,

Jeff Seaton

NASA Chief Information Officer

NASA OCIO IT Talk Jan - Mar 2023 3

Message from the NASA CIO 

Workplace and Collaboration Services (WCS) News and Updates

Check out the latest news from WCS (all links are internal to NASA):

• Teams Audio Conferencing for All is Here!

• Microsoft Office is Becoming Microsoft 365

• Windows Enterprise Subscription for 

Government Furnished Equipment

• Disregard macOS Ventura Upgrade Notifications

• Lunch and Learn Replay: How to Use 

Conference Rooms for Hybrid Meetings

• Lunch and Learn: Teams Audio Conferencing

• Power BI Pro Now Available to All NASA End Users

• Product Updates: Augment Options Now Orderable 

for New and Refreshed Dell and HP Computers

• New Features in Teams Enable You to Delete a Chat Thread; Set 

File Permissions to Grant or Limit Editing Access; and More

• See What's New with ICAM
4 www.nasa.gov

NaTS Ensures Artemis I Mission Success

By Sylvester Placid, Communications Team Lead, Marshall Space Flight Center

Artemis I splashed down in the Pacific 

Ocean on December 11 after completing a successful 1.4-million-mile flight 

test, lasting 25.5 days, around the 

Moon and back. Network and Telecommunications Services (NaTS) ensured mission success for Artemis I at 

every step and across multiple centers, 

from launch to flight to return to Earth.

At Kennedy Space Center (KSC), NaTS 

began supporting Artemis a week 

ahead of the launch with operator support for critical Video Teleconferencing 

Service (ViTS) briefings for weather, 

launch decisions, and post-launch activities continuing until splashdown. The 

NaTS network team at KSC deployed 

additional wireless coverage in the 

press site area for media and VIPs three 

days prior to launch. The NaTS phone 

team at KSC worked on the mobile 

launcher (the structure Artemis launches 

from) 24 hours prior to launch to secure 

all phones from the ground up to the 

250-foot level with additional steel 

strapping to ensure the blast from the 

launch would not damage the phones.

At the Huntsville Operations Support 

Center (HOSC) at Marshall Space 

Flight Center (MSFC), NaTS supported 

Artemis launch activities for 14 hours, 

from call to stations until an hour after 

launch. The Internet Voice Distribution 

System (IVoDS) operated by NaTS at 

the HOSC enables communication 

with the International Space Station, 

enabling 327 IVoDS users for Artemis 

with no issues.

At the NASA Communications 

(NASCOM) Operations Management 

Center at Goddard Space Flight Center 

(GSFC), the NaTS mission operations 

team supported Artemis on-console 

with communications, engineering, and 

security support for 23.75 hours, including support from 11 hours prior to launch 

and through launch, early orbit, and lunar 

outbound trajectory correction burn.

NaTS Enterprise Video Content Delivery Network (EVCDN) live streams 

hosted peak viewership of 959,000 and 

more than 8 million views across NASA 

flagship channels for the launch (including NASA TV, YouTube, Facebook, 

Twitter, and Twitch). This was the result 

of a team effort between the EVCDN 

team and the NASA Imagery Experts 

Program (NIEP), now part of NaTS. 

NIEP enabled the inaugural NASA 

broadcast in 4K ultra high definition 

(UHD) video of the launch. The launch 

of Artemis I was the #2 trending video 

on YouTube the week of November 17.

During the Artemis I mission, NaTS 

EVCDN and NIEP teams provided 

a 24/7 live feed of views from the 

Orion spacecraft on YouTube reaching 

859,000 viewers. EVCDN live video of 

the mission was also transmitted to the 

NASA Headquarters Science Operations Center, the Johnson Space Center Mission Control Center, and NASA 

TV hosts as they led live broadcasts. 

The captioning service for the video 

feeds was provided by NaTS.

The NaTS EVCDN and NIEP teams delivered live 4K UHD video of splashdown 

from multiple cameras placed on nonstationary locations—on board the USS 

Portland Navy vessel that recovered the 

Orion spacecraft, on a NASA WB-57 

aircraft flying at 50,000 feet above the 

recovery zone, and on a NASA PA-30 

aircraft flying between 15,000 to 20,000 

feet above the recovery zone.
Mission Cloud Platform (MCP)—

Delivering Digital Transformation 

at Scale to NASA Customers

By Catherine Tresslar, Customer Experience Lead, and Joseph Foster, Program Manager/

NASA Official, Cloud Computing Service Line, Goddard Space Flight Center

As NASA reaches new heights of discovery 

to deep space and beyond, OCIO is proud 

to partner with some of this year’s landmark missions, such as the James Webb 

Space Telescope (JWST) and the Artemis I 

launch. The Mission Cloud Platform (MCP) 

proudly supported these flagship missions most recently with 24/7 support of 

the Moon to Mars Space Weather Analysis 

Office in support of Artemis I, operating 

entirely on the MCP system. 

The MCP is at the foundation of delivering 

digital transformation at scale throughout 

the agency by offering a scalable and 

consolidated commercial cloud service 

for missions within NASA. MCP not only 

provides the platform but also provides 

technical expertise to launch, prototype, 

and integrate cloud services into existing 

and future ground systems. 

Prior to MCP, projects wanting to harness 

the cloud had to architect their entire system from top to bottom, creating at least 

six months of lead times for access and 

security approvals. Since the creation of 

MCP, projects can be up and running in the 

cloud in approximately one hour.

MCP currently supports over 150 projects 

across ten NASA centers and boasts a 

diverse customer mission portfolio consisting of science, engineering, flight, and web 

modernization projects. Use cases among 

MCP customers are varied but highlight the 

full spectrum of digital transformation and 

modernization initiatives across the agency. 

Some of the projects that launched into 

production this year include Conjunction 

Assessment and Risk Analysis (CARA), 

which is operating entirely in the MCP 

cloud and provides space asset collision 

avoidance for NASA, other Federal agencies, U.S. commercial aerospace partners, 

and foreign aerospace entities to avoid collisions with space debris in low-Earth orbit. 

MCP also supported several other Go Live 

events for public-facing services such as 

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) 

with the modernization of the Electronic 

Handbook (EHB) and migration to the cloud. 

The new EHB system provides a seamless 

user experience by providing an intuitive, 

user-friendly, and integrated digital service 

to small businesses looking to engage with 

the Federal Government using early-stage 

investment dollars. 

The Science Mission Directorate is leveraging MCP for several components of their 

Open Science initiatives and is pursuing 

cloud adoption to revolutionize science 

data across the broadest possible global 

scientific community. Their latest tool, Science Discovery Engine, will enable science 

discovery for five of their science divisions.

What’s next? Stay tuned to find out!

Introducing Smart Lockers

New Smart Locker technology is coming to NASA in 2023. Smart Lockers 

will transform the way you receive and 

return devices, such as computers, 

iPhones, and peripherals.

Much like Amazon lockers, which are 

strategically placed around town to 

help shoppers retrieve their packages, 

you will soon be seeing Smart Lockers 

in the NASA environment where you 

can retrieve or drop off hardware. 

Smart Lockers are a self-service 

pick-up/drop-off option for enterprisemanaged hardware services, such as 

new computer deployments, refreshed 

laptops, and mobile devices. Smart 

Lockers allow you the flexibility to pick 

up or drop off your equipment at a 

time that best suits your needs. 

This will be a large benefit to those 

end users who work non-support-hour 

shifts, such as Mission Control, physical 

security, NASCOM Mission Control, and 

emergency services. The end users who 

support those programs will not have 

to come onsite during normal support 

hours to get new devices or refreshes.

Smart Lockers will be integrated with 

the Enterprise Service Desk (ESD) 

catalog so that you can choose to 

have hardware delivered to the Smart 

Locker. The lockers will be available in 

various sizes to accommodate laptops, 

mobile phones, tablets, etc. Once notified to pick up your items, you will use 

your NASA badge to access the locker. 

There will be automated reporting 

when a locker is opened and by whom.

A Smart Locker vendor has been 

selected, and we will be rolling out a 

demo in early 2023 at Marshall Space 

Flight Center (MSFC). The demo Smart 

Locker will be located at MSFC Building 4203 near the SpaceBar. As the 

processes and tools mature through 

enhanced integrations, with NASA permission, Smart Lockers will be available 

across the agency at a center’s request.

NASA OCIO IT Talk Jan - Mar 2023 5
By Chris Mattmann, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, and Whitney Haggins, IT Communication Strategist, Jet 

Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology

Over the last decade, JPL’s Chief 

Technology and Innovation Office 

(CTIO) onboarded new employees by 

assigning them three devices to begin 

their journey with JPL IT: a laptop, a 

cloud account, and a cell phone. The 

cell phone holds an RSA soft token for 

multifactor authentication and for accessing JPL services, thereby enabling 

quick contact with employees and supporting a highly mobile lifestyle even 

long before the pandemic forced us all 

to be mobile. The cloud account was 

a necessity whether they were doing 

artificial intelligence (AI) and providing 

information for Mars rover target selections or employing machine learning 

(ML) and robotic process automation 

(RPA) to improve and enhance infrastructure and end-user outcomes. 

This work was being performed using 

a variety of cloud services available in 

Amazon’s Web Services (AWS), Microsoft’s Azure, or Google’s Cloud Platform (GCP) environments rather than 

local laptops. Downloading data to local hard drives to crank out local training models was not an option since 

most laptops lacked the graphics processing units (GPUs) and other nextgeneration chips needed to perform 

such tasks, but the work was possible 

within the cloud. The laptop did enable 

rapid communication, collaboration, 

code editing, and the necessary entry 

point into an enhanced infrastructure 

needed to perform daily activities. 

Toward a More Automated and Intelligent 

Digital Universe

6 www.nasa.gov
What would an employee be handed 

today and in 2023? All the above, 

along with a virtual-reality (VR) headset, 

most likely an Oculus Quest 2. A headset is the entry point for the employee’s 

culture building, inclusivity, connection, 

belonging, and telepresence; more 

cost-effective than a phone. With a 

percentage of the new workforce (over 

a third of JPLers were hired within 

the last five years) always on the go, 

performing hybrid work from center 

to center, and the possibility of being 

outside a 50-mile radius of the NASA 

center from which they work, the Metaverse (a shared interactive and immersive virtual space that is parallel to 

the physical world) will play a huge role 

in building NASA culture and values 

while also allowing new and innovative 

employee contributions. Enabling the 

Metaverse requires closer examination 

of its foundations—multicloud environments, AI and automation, and hybrid 

workspaces—to determine their contributions to its strong foundation and 

more intelligent and digital future.

The future of cloud computing is in 

multiple environments. For JPL, it is 

Amazon, Microsoft, and Google. JPL 

utilizes Amazon, but other centers, as 

well as academic and other partners, 

may use Microsoft or Google. Faced 

with the complexity of managing multiple clouds, their unique cybersecurity 

and managed services, requisite skill 

sets, and expert workforce knowledgeable in the nuances of each cloud, 

most institutions opt instead to select 

a single infrastructure cloud. Even so, 

it is possible to utilize the other cloud 

platforms, especially for collaboration 

and communication. Generating NASA 

data in Microsoft 365? Be ready to 

run Azure. Partnering with a university 

affiliate and coauthoring a proposal? 

You’re most likely to run Google documents. Welcome to the reality of our 

multicloud future—and it’s here to stay 

for a while.

Look for an increase in automation related to data science, AI, and ML. This 

is driven by labor shortages exacerbated by the pandemic, but also by the 

fact that NASA has a fraction of the AI 

and ML workforce compared to commercial industry. We are focused on 

creating tools and techniques to automate the data science process. These 

AutoML tools can try many thousands 

of different data-modeling techniques 

and evaluate their efficacy for many 

hundreds of different tasks that span 

the range of text, audio, video, and 

image processing. AI and ML models 

will be deployed to the “edge” using 

AutoML, where the edge begins terrestrially and extends to Mars.

JPL IT has launched a multi-pronged 

approach to the future of work. Focused on inclusivity and collaboration, we currently use tools like Slack, 

Teams, Webex, and Zoom for collaboration and virtual meetings. To 

help reduce two-dimensional meeting 

fatigue, we are using the cloud and AI 

to enable more inclusive collaboration, 

including AI-based emotion and reaction detection in WebEx and Zoom and 

spatial audio technologies that better 

detect distance and noise, enabling 

a “we’re in the same room” digital 

experience. We’re also using tools like 

Gathertown to bring spatiality to 2D 

overhead/video game–style meetings.

Finally, we’ve taken it into three dimensions with the Metaverse, experimenting with VR and AR. VR-based 

collaboration using Quest 2 (as indicated earlier) and existing apps like 

Spatial.io, Glue, Engage, and Horizons 

Workrooms brings either a realistic or 

Avatar-esque experience to working 

together in three dimensions. When 

you pair that experience with existing off-the-shelf scanning techniques 

using Apple iPads and iPhones to scan 

actual iconic and meaningful physical 

spaces into the Metaverse, you combine inclusivity, realism, and culturebuilding for an immersive experience 

and better collaboration, no matter 

where you are!

SeeIT—A 

Collaborative 

Platform for 

High-Level Data 

Consumption 

SeeIT is an innovative, one-of-akind dashboard that provides full 

transparency into the services 

delivered to NASA by Workplace and Collaboration Services (WCS) and Network and 

Telecommunications Services 

(NaTS). By using data visualization, SeeIT enables you to slice 

and dice data around service 

requests and incidents, service 

delivery, customer satisfaction 

on delivered services, and more. 

What makes this executive-level 

dashboard powerful and indispensable is its ease of use. This 

flexible and functional dashboard 

offers data in graphs, charts, 

tables, and more. It is designed 

with a three-clicks-or-fewer approach, so you can get what you 

need, when you need it, to make 

the best-informed decisions 

possible for your mission.

SeeIT’s intuitive ability allows 

you to look back in time and drill 

down to see center-level data, 

trends, and individual areas for 

focus. The data can be exported 

to Excel for personal examination.

Check out SeeIT at https://clocs.

ndc.nasa.gov/Home (link is internal to NASA).

(Continued from previous page)

NASA OCIO IT Talk Jan - Mar 2023 7
Artificial Intelligence at NASA

By Edward L. McLarney, Information, Data, and Analytics Services Data Science Lead and Digital Transformation AI/ML 

Lead, Langley Research Center and Open AI’s GPT Chat

Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly important role at NASA, the United States space agency. From 

helping to design and build spacecraft and satellites, to analyzing data and making predictions, AI is helping to advance NASA’s mission of exploration and discovery. 

One area where AI is making a significant impact at NASA is in the design and construction of spacecraft and satellites. By using AI algorithms and machine learning, engineers at NASA can quickly and accurately design and test 

complex systems, such as propulsion systems and heat shields. This allows for faster and more efficient development of space technology, and it also helps to reduce the cost and risk of space missions. 

In addition to aiding in the design and construction of spacecraft, AI is also being used to analyze data from space 

missions. For example, AI algorithms can be used to process and interpret large amounts of data from sensors and 

instruments on spacecraft, such as images and measurements of distant planets and stars. This allows scientists to 

gain new insights and make new discoveries about the universe. 

AI is also being used to make predictions and forecast events in space. For instance, AI algorithms can be used to 

predict the likelihood of solar flares or other space weather events, which can be hazardous to astronauts and space 

equipment. By using AI to forecast these events, NASA can better prepare and protect its missions and personnel. 

Overall, AI is proving to be a valuable tool for NASA, helping the space agency to advance its mission of exploration 

and discovery. With its ability to quickly analyze and process large amounts of data, make predictions, and aid in the 

design and construction of spacecraft, AI is helping to make space exploration more efficient, effective, and safe.

The entire passage above was written by OpenAI.com’s GPT Chat function on December 1, 2022, based on the 

prompt, “Write an article on AI at NASA.” 

8 www.nasa.gov
The text is exactly as written by the AI, 

with no human intervention! This is one 

example of AI capabilities changing 

from expensive specialty tools for deep 

AI experts into powerful, affordable, 

and accurate tools for mainstream use. 

AI is already widespread across 

NASA—used in Mars rovers, drone 

autopilots, planet discovery methods, 

network defenses, and more. Worldwide AI development is accelerating, 

as can be witnessed in our daily lives, 

in technical journals, and in popular 

media. NASA is poised to scale the 

adoption of AI to include far greater 

capability, integration of multiple AI 

and related systems, speed of development-to-deployment, and benefit to 

missions. NASA is working to encourage and guide responsible AI adoption. 

This article provides a brief definition 

of AI, examples of NASA AI use, an 

overview of efforts and experts fostering AI, selected references, and ways 

to get involved.

Background and NASA Use Cases 

The U.S. Government’s website 

includes a broad overview of AI. At 

https://www.ai.gov/about/, it highlights 

the AI definition used in the National 

Artificial Intelligence Act of 2020, beginning: 

The term “artificial intelligence” means 

a machine-based system that can, for 

a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or 

virtual environments.

For NASA, numerous applications of AI 

are already underway. For example: 

• The NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is leveraging AI to train 

the Curiosity rover to classify 

terrain and recommend locations 

for terrain samples. https://mars.

nasa.gov/news/9063/you-canhelp-train-nasas-rovers-to-betterexplore-mars/

• NASA Aeronautics Air Mobility 

researchers are using AI to assist autopilots in identifying and 

recovering from in-flight contingencies. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20205011390

• NASA scientists are using AI in 

many areas, to include discovering 

new planets. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/

citations/20210022097

• Leaders at Johnson Space Center 

(JSC), to include the JSC Chief 

Information Officer (CIO), are in the 

early stages of planning an open, 

AI-enabled, virtual analysis environment for NASA and many space 

partners.

Fostering Responsible AI

With powerful emerging technology 

comes great promise, along with potential for new issues to arise. NASA’s 

Chief Scientist and Chief Technologist 

have taken the mantle as the Agency’s 

Responsible AI Officials, in accordance 

with Executive Order 13960. They have 

recently published NASA’s Responsible 

AI Plan, available at https://ntrs.nasa.

gov/citations/20220013471. They have 

also begun tracking AI use cases at 

NASA, encouraging widespread discussion regarding ethical/responsible 

AI use and more.

Growing AI Adoption

As part of the NASA Digital Transformation (DT) initiative, the AI and Machine Learning (AI/ML) foundation team 

is several years into a multi-pronged 

campaign to enable nearly everyone at 

NASA to use AI and machine learning. 

Specific AI transformation activities 

underway include:

• Practical applications. Advocating 

for AI/ML project seedling funding.

• Tools and platforms. Working with 

NASA cloud providers to provide 

NASA employees with secure, 

affordable, and powerful AI/ML 

capabilities.

Recognizing the need to establish a 

standing service responsible for both 

continuing coordination with DT AI/

ML and operationalizing enterprise 

AI/ML adoption, the CIO expanded a 

service under the Information Data and 

Analytics Services (IDAS) line for Data 

Science and AI/ML: 

• Workforce development. Organizing, augmenting, and advertising 

mechanisms for employees to 

learn about applying AI/ML.

• Teamwork. Growing a community of practice across NASA, to 

include an internal web hub of AI/

ML knowledge, points of contact, 

expert speakers, and gatherings.

• AI-enabled data. Teaming with data 

experts and data owners to make 

data ready for AI/ML use.

Getting Involved

Personnel interested in AI/ML 

transformation may reach out to Ed 

McLarney and Nikunj Oza, who lead 

the AI/ML DT team. For Responsible 

AI, contact Ave Kludze or Louis 

Barbier. NASA AI or Autonomy experts 

should contact the long-standing 

Autonomous Systems – System 

Capability Leadership Team (AS-SCLT) 

led by Terry Fong and Danette Allen. 

Contact Lauren Goodwin regarding 

the virtual AI-enabled analysis 

environment.

In Conclusion

NASA is taking bold 

steps to foster responsible AI use and 

cultivate widespread 

AI adoption alongside existing communities with decades of 

experience. There can 

literally be something 

in AI for everyone at 

NASA.

(Continued from previous page)

NASA OCIO IT Talk Jan - Mar 2023 9
NASA’s Digital Transformation: Where Are We Now?

By Alex H. Wagner, Communications Specialist, NASA Headquarters

Launched in FY21, NASA’s Enterprise 

Digital Transformation (DT) strategic 

initiative serves as a catalyst to leverage digital advances to reinvigorate 

how NASA works, the experience of its 

workforce, and the agility of its workplace. The goal is to ensure that NASA 

will thrive in a future marked by an expanding global partnership landscape, 

evolving employee expectations, and 

increasing budget demands, while prioritizing safety from increasing digital 

threats. 

To meet these goals, DT launched five 

“coalition” projects in FY22 that were 

jointly funded by DT and organizations across NASA. Our March 2022 

article featured in IT Talk introduced 

these projects briefly; this is an update 

of what these projects are about, the 

results they achieved to date, and 

what’s next.

Modern and Inclusive

Collaboration Spaces (MICS)

A detailed overview of the MICS 

project, formulated to jump-start 

NASA’s proficiency with hybrid 

teaming, was presented in the 

July 2022 issue of IT Talk. Now 

completed, MICS-developed 

hybrid meeting SATERN trainings

and recommended hybrid meeting 

technology solutions have been 

integrated into the Office of the Chief 

Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) and 

OCIO Workplace and Collaboration 

Services (WCS) product offerings.

Enterprise Data Platform (EDP)

The EDP project focused on creating 

an integrated data discovery tool so 

NASA employees—and eventually the 

public—can visualize the agency’s 

data with ease. Users will be able to 

search and analyze multiple datasets, 

publications, and other assets 

simultaneously using a central portal 

and enterprise data analytics tools.

Following iterative development, the 

ATO for the initial EDP operational 

version was granted in August 2022. It 

has already hosted over 130 customer 

dashboards including several for OCHCO that enabled rapid turn-around 

analysis of the 2022 Federal Employee 

Viewpoint Survey data within an unprecedented 2 weeks of survey close. 

They also developed and piloted an 

initial intelligent search capability with 

Science Mission Directorate earth 

scientists. In FY23 the EDP team will 

be working with the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate to integrate 

ground and flight research data. 

Smart Centers

Similar in concept to “smart homes,” 

this project focused on developing 

new technologies to enhance the 

physical infrastructure of NASA 

facili¬ties and reinvigorate agency 

workflow. These technologies could 

potentially cut through the growing 

maintenance backlog as the agency’s 

infrastructure ages.

The Smart Centers team’s first proof 

of concept was an autonomous facility 

inspection. Using infrared sensors on a 

drone and a linked digital dashboard, 

the team was able to survey a liquid 

nitrogen plant at Langley with minimal 

time and resources. 

Engineering for Tomorrow

This project is focused on adopting 

digital engineering advances across 

NASA to close engineering designs 

faster by reducing uncertainties and 

errors, ensuring greater efficiency and 

cost savings to project schedules.

The team developed a first ever NASA 

Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) handbook; completed 

agencywide benchmarking of digital 

engineering tools, paving the way to 

define interoperable toolchains to work 

seamlessly across NASA and with our 

partners and other government agencies; prototyped a common cloudbased Product Lifecycle Management 

capability across centers; and created 

a “digital twin” for the electrical system 

aboard the Orion spacecraft capable 

of ingesting telemetry data from the 

Artemis I launch. 

Smart Projects and Reviews with 

Transformative Analytics (SPARTA)

SPARTA’s goal is to streamline project 

review processes using real-time data. 

Using intuitive graphical dashboards 

extensible across NASA, the team 

intends to integrate data in a timely 

and more efficient manner to enable 

faster project management decisions 

with better, earlier insights. 

Currently, SPARTA is finalizing prototype interactive project management 

dashboards using a pilot portfolio of 

science projects across two NASA 

centers. The initial dashboard modules 

will include integrated views of mission 

profiles, risk, financial, and schedule 

data, as well as a project portal. The 

team has already integrated risk data 

from multiple centers, enabling program managers to assess risk at a 

portfolio level and evaluate trends.

Looking Ahead

These projects, along with many 

additional DT efforts across NASA, 

are revolutionizing our capabilities 

as our missions become bolder 

and more complex. DT is working 

with senior NASA leadership to 

align and focus the many DT efforts 

underway across NASA on our top 

transformation targets which are 

engineering, discovery, program/

project management decision making 

and operations. Ultimately, DT efforts 

will be measured not only on their 

ability to deliver improved efficiencies 

and effectiveness, but also on their 

success in catalyzing NASA’s larger 

transformation progress.

Additional articles detailing the progress of these DT projects and others 

will be released in 2023. Employees 

interested in learning more about DT 

efforts across NASA are invited to 

attend our Transformation Tuesday 

seminar series.

10 www.nasa.gov
The Commercial IT Request Application:

The “NEW” Way To Buy IT!

By Rob Quinn, Enterprise Business Management Office (EBMO) Commercial IT Management Lead, Langley Research Center

The OCIO recently released a new application, the Commercial IT Request 

(CITR) Application, (link is internal to 

NASA) with the intent of making buying IT easy for everyone. This application coordinates all required functional 

reviews and their appropriate points of 

contact into a single automated and 

transparent workflow. This includes, 

but is not limited to, Supply Chain Risk 

Management (SCRM), Section 508 

Compliance, IPv6 Compliance, and 

Cybersecurity reviews; IT procurements 

include all software, all IT hardware 

(Data Acquisition Systems and Lab 

Equipment with IT Components), and all 

IT services not currently available under 

existing agency or center contracts. 

In addition to this standardized and 

transparent authorization, the team 

managing this application—the 

Commercial IT Management (CITM) 

team—will also process all new IT 

procurements over $10,000 (unless 

being procured as an Other Direct Cost 

through a center or agency IT service 

contract [e.g., AEGIS, EAST 2, COMIT, 

KIAC]). The CITM team will complete 

all necessary procurement documentation for those procurements resulting in 

a Purchase Requisition. This includes, 

but is not limited to, the NF-1707, Sole 

Source or Brand Name Justifications, 

and Market Research Reports.

• In the CITR application, there are 

many ways an end user can find 

assistance. At the bottom of the 

home page are links to the most 

used knowledge articles stored in 

the extensive Knowledge Base. 

That Knowledge Base contains 

general FAQs, step-by-step instructions on how to perform functions within the application, and 

more, with even more to come! 

• There is also an opportunity to 

receive more direct help on every 

ticket by utilizing the Ticket Activity Log at the bottom. You can see 

a history of each ticket and write 

any question or comment you 

would like to capture here. 

• You can also e-mail the Commercial IT Management team with 

questions at NASA-CITM@mail.

nasa.gov.

This new and evolutionary application 

is currently available for use agencywide at https://oneplace.larc.nasa.gov/

citr. While the application is not mandatory at this time, policy development 

is underway to require use effective 

October 1, 2023. In the meantime, 

come see how this mission-enabling 

tool can alleviate the administrative 

burden of buying IT for your organization today!

On-the-Go? Print to Enterprise-Managed MFD Printers

It is no surprise that we have changed 

the way we work over the last two 

years. As we find ourselves at the 

office, at home, and in hybrid situations, we have learned that we can 

work anywhere with few limitations. 

One of the hurdles NASA is working 

to overcome is easy and accessible 

printing, and it is doing this by providing a centralized method for printing 

solutions. 

In 2023, Workplace and Collaboration 

Services (WCS) plans to offer “Follow 

Me Print.” With this innovative service, 

you will have the flexibility to print to 

any enterprise-managed Multi-Function Device (MFD) printer, queuing your 

print job from your computer or mobile 

device. Imagine being able to immediately respond to information requests 

using your mobile phone or iPad! 

With Follow Me Print, you will have 

the ability to print to any MFD printer 

without the worry of updating print 

drivers, which will decrease calls to 

the Enterprise Service Desk (ESD) and 

make it super simple to print on the 

go. Once you are ready to print, all you 

will have to do is release the print job 

while standing at the print device, and 

your queued job will print. 

Gone are the days of having to walk 

to the printer to check for a print job 

or forgetting your important document 

on the tray. Follow Me Print will reduce 

wasted printing storage and cycles—

saving Earth and saving you frustration 

from frequent visits to the printer! 

By using Follow Me Print, NASA employees will be able to manage printing 

needs and can 

print on demand to any 

MFD-enabled, 

enterprisemanaged 

output device. 

Good for 

Earth, good 

for security, 

and good for 

an enhanced 

end-user 

experience to 

fulfill NASA’s 

printing 

needs.

NASA OCIO IT Talk Jan - Mar 2023 11
OCIO Supports Console Stability and 

Readiness for a Successful Artemis I Mission

By Daniel Horton, Communications Specialist, Workplace and Collaboration Services, Marshall Space Flight Center

In the early morning hours of November 16, years of work for the women 

and men of NASA finally came to fruition when the engines aboard Artemis 

I roared to life at Launch Complex 39B 

at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The 

following weeks would see the agency 

successfully return to lunar exploration 

with a human-ready craft for the first 

time in nearly 50 years.

Throughout the mission, OCIO has 

stood by to support Artemis I. Workplace and Collaboration Services 

(WCS) worked closely with the launch 

team at KSC to execute the Mission 

Freeze process. 

This process ensures that any supporting console computers remain 

stable by being temporarily exempted 

from any new updates that would interrupt important work during a launch 

window. 

Up to and beyond the launch, the Mission Requirements Team in charge of 

the freeze worked with representatives 

from the Artemis I program to adapt to 

their needs in support.

User Experience Team Lead John 

Leavitt has earned the nickname “Dr. 

Freeze” for working these requirements over the years and noted that, 

“As much as we try to capture all requirements up front through technical 

integrations and requirements meetings with various programs involved in 

the launch, flexibility is required.”

This flexibility included adding late 

requirements to ensure stability in 

time for the launch. “For Artemis I, we 

added an ad hoc freeze group to pick 

up late-breaking freeze requirements,” 

Dr. Leavitt said. 

One of the representatives that the 

Mission Requirements Team supported is Shaun Heath with Exploration Ground Systems (EGS). “I grew up 

on the Space Coast and have worked 

here my entire career, but I have yet to 

tire of launches,” he said. “Especially 

successful first launches.”

Heath recounted his time working with 

the team toward the Artemis I launch 

by saying, “I thought the teamwork 

between the program and OCIO was 

exceptional; it exceeded my expectations.” He went on to explain that “the 

coordination of information across the 

breadth of OCIO to EGS was really impressive, and the responsiveness was 

very timely. The entire freeze process 

went very well.”

Freezes supported stability and safety 

throughout other aspects of the mission beyond the launch. After completing a distant retrograde orbit of the 

Moon, the Orion capsule returned to 

Earth, splashing down in the Pacific 

Ocean on December 11. Additional 

freezes were put into place across 

the agency, which ensured stability 

around the splashdown and recovery 

processes.

OCIO will continue to fine-tune this 

process as NASA begins to look forward to Artemis II. This future mission 

will send a crewed Orion spacecraft on 

a lunar flyby test and return to Earth. 

Processes and lessons learned from 

the Artemis I freeze will continue to 

inform improvements.

Dr. Leavitt noted, “In the end, it’s about 

executing the mission safely, especially when astronauts are on board!”

12 www.nasa.gov
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Office of the Chief Information Officer

300 E Street SW

Washington, DC 20546

www.nasa.gov

SpaceBar Walk-Up Support Expanding in 2023

Workplace and Collaboration Services (WCS) 

is excited to offer NASA employees a home 

for innovation and an enhanced end-user 

experience with SpaceBar.

SpaceBar provides a place for walk-up IT 

services from friendly, highly skilled service 

technicians, coupled with a storefront atmosphere where you can touch, feel, and test 

the latest and greatest hardware that NASA 

IT offers.

SpaceBar launched in 2019 at Marshall 

Space Flight Center and has since landed 

at Goddard Space Flight Center, Langley 

Research Center, and Stennis Space Center. 

Leidos intends to offer its SpaceBar concept 

to all NASA centers as part of its commitment to enhance the end-user IT experience 

and will be expanding to Johnson Space 

Center in early 2023. Stay tuned to see a 

SpaceBar pop up NEAR YOU! For centerspecific SpaceBar details, refer to SpaceBar

(link is internal to NASA).

The goal of SpaceBar is to enhance the 

customer experience by providing exceptional IT walk-up support. SpaceBar provides 

a common user IT experience—regardless 

of location, customers will know where to go 

for their IT needs. Typical SpaceBar services 

include the following:

• Computer walk-up support

• Software assistance for NASA 

IT–offered software

• Loaner hardware requests 

(computer and mobile)

• Mobility walk-up support

• VPN assistance (reinstall 

or network resync) 

• Business productivity support (Microsoft apps, including Teams, etc.)

• System setting and 

configuration support

SpaceBar provides quick resolution for common IT problems. For more complex issues, 

the friendly technicians will help guide you 

through the ticketing process to ensure 

that you are on the right track for speedy 

resolution.

SpaceBar aims to make technology accessible and relatable and offers an exceptional 

customer experience. SpaceBar is also the 

hub for collaboration and a location to provide additional opportunities, such as onsite 

training and education.

IT Talk