Volume 19 Issue 5 www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis May 2023 

Go For Gimbal!

NASA conducts an RS-25 hot fire test on the Fred Haise Test Stand at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in south Mississippi on April 26.

Stennis is essential to us learning about 

the equipment to fly the equipment.

See Page 3

-NASA SLS (Space Launch System) 

Chief Engineer John Blevins prior to RS-25 engine test May 10
Page 2 LAGNIAPPE May 2023

Lagniappe is published monthly by the Office of Communications at NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center.

Access monthly copies at: www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis/news/publications/index.html

Contact info – (phone) 228-688-3749; (email) ssc-office-of-communications@mail.nasa.gov; (mail) NASA OFFICE OF 

COMMUNICATIONS, Attn: LAGNIAPPE, Mail code IA00, Building 1111 Room 173, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529

Managing Editor – Lacy Thompson Editor – Bo Black Staff Photographer – Danny Nowlin

Memories are powerful strings tying together 

all the experiences of life. They capture 

moments of joy, triumph, and even lessons 

learned from challenges along the 

way. They can serve as a way to 

remind us how far we have come.

NASA Stennis has come a long 

way and is a place full of rich 

memories since ground was 

broken for construction of the 

site 60 years ago this month. I 

like to think of memories, not 

as historical artifacts or of times 

that once were, but more as 

inspiration toward the future. 

The smell of freshly cut grass at the beginning of May 

reminded me of when I first came here. It was around 

the same time workers were tasked with clearing the 

area so that one day we could send humans to space. 

Times were not always easy, but challenges were 

overcome and resilience prevailed. Victories have 

been celebrated at the place I call home ever since.

Since the 1960s, NASA Stennis has grown into the 

nation’s largest propulsion test site. It also has evolved 

into a sprawling federal city, home to about 40 federal, 

state, academic, and private organizations, as well 

as several aerospace 

and technology-based 

companies. 

In addition to the key 

contributions NASA 

Stennis has made to 

the Apollo, Space 

Shuttle, and, now, 

Artemis programs, the 

site has partnered with 

commercial companies 

for more than 20 years to 

help them achieve their 

space dreams. 

The years of memories 

created at NASA Stennis 

remind everyone of 

the progress made for 

so long. They also remind all of those who have 

contributed of the even greater potential there is 

moving forward. 

The collection of people working at 

this vibrant federal city have a drive 

for progress that, considering all 

that already has been accomplished, 

surely will generate incredible results 

in days ahead – and new memories. 

Of course, sometimes with new 

memories, we never know the 

power they hold until after time has 

passed. 

For example, last month when 

NASA named the four astronauts who will make 

up the Artemis II crew, I knew the names sounded 

familiar, as if I had met some of them before... and 

in fact, I had. There are so many great people I bump 

into here, and this reminds me that one never knows 

who is in the midst. Someone on site today might be 

someone going to the Moon, or even Mars, in the 

future.

Did you know three of the four Artemis II astronauts 

have visited NASA Stennis in the previous seven 

years? Commander Reid Wiseman came to NASA 

Stennis in 2016, pilot Victor Glover visited in 2018, 

and mission specialist Jeremy Hansen witnessed the 

Green Run hot fire in 

2021. This crew, along 

with mission specialist 

Christina Koch, represent 

the best of humanity. As 

a group, they also reflect 

today’s diverse astronaut 

corp. 

I have always considered 

myself a dreamy gator 

(Ark!), and I know the 

future is full of endless 

possibilities. The future 

is waiting to be seized. 

Together, memories and 

progress push us forward, 

propelling us to the best, 

which is yet to come at 

NASA Stennis. 

Astronaut Victor Glover signs memorabilia at NASA Stennis in 2018 following a Silver Snoopy Award ceremony. Glover was named one of the 

four astronauts for the Artemis II crew last month.
Page 3 LAGNIAPPE May 2023

NASA Tests Critical In-Flight Capability 

During Longest RS-25 Hot Fire to Date

NASA carried out a critical hot fire of the redesigned RS-25 engine at NASA’s Stennis Space 

Center 

on April 26, 

demonstrating 

the the gimbaling, or pivoting, 

capabilities 

needed to stabilize a rocket 

during a launch 

and flight to 

space.

Operators at 

the nation’s 

largest propulsion test site 

conducted the 

first gimbal test 

of the current 

RS-25 engine 

certification 

series on the 

Fred Haise 

Test Stand. 

The certification series is 

supporting lead 

engine contractor Aerojet 

Rocketdyne as 

it prepares to 

produce additional RS-25 

engines for future SLS (Space 

Launch System) flights.

The new production includes engines for future Artemis missions to the Moon, as NASA returns humans to 

the lunar surface to establish a long-term presence for 

scientific discovery and to prepare for human missions to 

Mars. 

During a 12-minute (720 seconds) hot fire, operators 

gimbaled the RS-25 engine using a NASA Stennis-developed system to enable pivoting of the engine, mirroring 

maneuvers needed during launch and flight of the SLS 

rocket. The 720-second hot fire marks the longest-duration test of an RS-25 certification engine in the current 

test series.

Gimbaling is the technique of pivoting, or swiveling, the 

engine a few degrees along a tight circular or back-andforth axis to direct engine thrust and “steer” the rocket on 

a proper trajectory. It also 

plays a vital role 

to ensure the 

rocket maintains stability 

during flight to 

space. 

Four RS-25 

engines, firing 

simultaneously, help 

power each SLS 

launch, producing more than 2 

million pounds 

of combined 

thrust during 

the eightminute flight to 

orbit. 

The test team 

at NASA Stennis performed 

multiple gimbaling maneuvers during the 

test, pushing 

the capability 

to its limits to 

provide a margin of operational safety. 

For much of the April 26 test, the engine fired at the 

111% power level, the level of thrust needed during 

launch. Operators briefly pushed the engine up to the 

113% power level as well. 

NASA and Aerojet Rocketdyne modified 16 engines 

remaining from the Space Shuttle program, which were 

proven flightworthy at NASA Stennis for Artemis missions I through IV. The current series of testing supports 

production of new RS-25 engines to help the Artemis V 

mission and beyond.

Under Artemis, NASA will land the first woman and first 

person of color on the Moon, establish long-term lunar 

science and exploration capabilities, and inspire the next 

generation of explorers – the Artemis Generation.

(Top photo) NASA conducts an RS-25 hot fire 

test on the Fred Haise Test 

Stand at NASA’s Stennis 

Space Center in south Mississippi on April 26.

(Left photo) A mounted 

camera outside of the Fred 

Haise Test Stand shows 

the RS-25 engine test at 

NASA Stennis on April 26, 

as operators gimbaled, or 

swiveled, the engine a few 

degrees for the test.
Page 4 LAGNIAPPE May 2023

NASA Stennis Welcomes Media for Site Tour and RS-25 Test

NASA’s Stennis Space Center hosted Media Day in conjunction 

with the first RS-25 engine test in May. NASA conducted another 

long-duration hot fire of an RS-25 engine May 10, continuing to 

pave the way for production of new engines for future deep space 

missions. Operators at the Fred Haise Test Stand at NASA Stennis 

fired an RS-25 certification engine for more than 10 minutes (630 

seconds). The test duration is longer than the 500 seconds the 

engines must fire to help launch the SLS (Space Launch System) 

rocket on Artemis missions. The engine also fired at 111% power 

level, the same level of thrust needed during launch, and at 113%, 

allowing operators to provide a margin of operational safety. The 

May 10 hot fire marked the seventh in a 12-test series designed to 

certify production of new RS-25 engines for future Artemis missions 

by lead contractor Aerojet Rocketdyne. Four RS-25 engines fire 

simultaneously, producing up to 2 million pounds of combined 

thrust, to help power each SLS launch. In addition to viewing the 

engine test, media visited the B Test Stand and Aerojet Rocketdyne

Engine Assembly Facility.

(Right photo) B-2 Test Stand Director Ryan Roberts talks with 

media about the history of the stand and NASA’s Exploration 

Upper Stage project currently underway. 

(Far right photo) Media film the RS-25 engine test during a partly 

cloudy day at NASA Stennis.

(Bottom left photo) John McManamen, chief engineer for NASA's 

Moon to Mars Program, talks with media at the RS-25 test May 10.

(Bottom middle photo) Aerojet Rocketdyne Senior Vice President 

for Space Business Unit Jim Maser speaks with media about 

production of the RS-25 engine and how the engines are used for 

NASA’s Space Launch System program.

(Bottom right photo) WGNO multimedia journalist Jordan 

Lippincott prepares a report about the day at NASA Stennis.
Page 5 LAGNIAPPE May 2023

Exploring the Cosmos Together

Technicians at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in 

Huntsville, Alabama, apply the first round of spray foam as 

part of the thermal protection system to the launch vehicle 

stage adapter (LVSA) of NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket for Artemis III. The cone-shaped element connects the rocket’s core stage to its upper stage called the 

interim cryogenic propulsion stage and partially encloses 

it. Spray-on foam insulation, along with other traditional insulation materials such as cork, provide thermal protection 

for every part – no matter how small or large – of the SLS 

rocket. The insulation is flexible enough to move with the 

rocket but rigid enough to handle the extreme pressures 

and temperatures as SLS accelerates from 0 to 17,400 

mph and soars to more than 100 miles above Earth in just 

eight minutes. Photo Credit: NASA/Brandon Hancock

NASA’s MOON to MARS MISSION

Miloslav Stašek, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the United States 

(left), Foreign Affairs Minister for the Czech Republic Jan Lipavský (second 

from left), NASA Administrator Bill Nelson (second from right), and Acting 

Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental 

and Scientific Affairs Jennifer R. Littlejohn (right), are seen following the 

signing of the Artemis Accords on May 3. The Artemis Accords establish a 

practical set of principles to guide space exploration cooperation among nations, including those participating in NASA’s Artemis program. The Czech 

Republic is the twenty fourth country to sign the Artemis Accords. Photo 

Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

Technicians Apply Foam 

to Moon Rocket 

Hardware for Artemis III
Page 6 LAGNIAPPE May 2023

NASA Stennis Space Center 

Director Dr. Rick Gilbrech 

and NASA Deputy 

Associate Administrator for Business 

Operations Casey Swails presented 

NASA Honor Awards to Stennis 

employees for contributions made 

in 2022 during an onsite ceremony 

April 26. 

Four NASA Stennis employees 

received NASA’s Exceptional Service 

Medal. The medal is awarded to 

government employees for sustained 

performance that embodies multiple 

contributions to NASA projects, 

programs, or initiatives. 

Jeffery 

Henderson 

received 

the NASA 

Exceptional 

Service 

Medal for 

his high-level 

contributions 

and dedication to the goals of the 

agency. As test stand director of 

what is now known as the Fred Haise 

Test Stand, Henderson led the effort 

to prepare the stand to conduct 

testing in support of NASA’s Space 

Launch System program. He helped 

guide various work activities and 

resolve technical issues prior to the 

first successful RS-25 engine test in 

2015. Since then, the test stand team 

has been successful in achieving 

numerous project milestones. 

Henderson’s in-depth knowledge of 

propulsion testing makes him one of 

the most valued members of NASA 

Stennis. 

Jeffrey Lott 

received 

the NASA 

Exceptional 

Service Medal 

for more than 

20 years of 

agency service. 

Following 

career accomplishments such as 

completing activation of the E-1 Test 

Stand and serving as test director, 

Lott was named to his current role in 

2012. As chief of the NASA Stennis 

Mechanical Operations Branch, 

Lott uses his technical expertise 

and also plays a hands-on role in 

employee development. His team 

proved invaluable to preparations for 

the Green Run test series of Space 

Launch System core stage in 2021. 

Lott’s leadership helps NASA Stennis 

succeed by promoting both agency 

and commercial efforts. 

Dr. Kamili 

Shaw received 

the NASA 

Exceptional 

Service 

Medal for 

her sustained 

performance 

that is marked 

by a consistent commitment to 

identifying areas for improvement 

and successfully implementing 

changes for the benefit of the agency. 

Among her career accomplishments, 

Shaw developed a Safety and 

Mission Assurance data mining tool 

that provides helpful insight into 

identifying early warning signs of 

potential accidents. The agencywide 

usage of the Crystal Ball tool gives 

employees the ability to take a more 

risk-based approach to safety and 

quality. Shaw exemplifies the spirit 

and goals of NASA’s Exceptional 

Service Award through her 

leadership style, accomplishments, 

and innovation.

Michael 

Smiles 

received 

the NASA 

Exceptional 

Service Medal 

for continued 

outstanding 

service 

as chief engineer of the NASA 

Engineering and Safety Center 

(NESC). Smiles provides consistent 

and accurate evaluations of highrisk technical issues and ensures the 

success of critical NASA programs 

and projects. His work has resulted 

in value to the agency in the form 

of improved operations and reduced 

program risk. Smiles’ work directly 

benefited the NASA’s commercial 

crew and Artemis programs as 

he led multiple complex technical 

assessments for the efforts. Smiles 

is the focal point for NESC activity 

at NASA Stennis, where he has 

developed and managed the program 

for several years. 

Two NASA Stennis employees 

received NASA’s Exceptional 

Achievement Medal. The medal is 

awarded to government employees 

for a significant specific achievement 

or substantial improvement in 

operations, efficiency, service, 

financial savings, science or 

technology that contributes to the 

mission of NASA.

Freddie 

Douglas

received 

the NASA 

Exceptional 

Achievement 

Medal for 

his efforts in 

leading the 

transition of 

a Future State Initiative (FSI) project 

from a special study to ongoing 

organizational goals with measurable 

objectives. Throughout his 39-year 

NASA career, Douglas has served in 

several technical and leadership roles 

to advance the agency’s goals. As 

deputy director of the Engineering 

and Test Directorate, he formed a 

team to target innovative ways to 

efficiently conduct the NASA Stennis 

mission. His experience leading 

change has been critical in applying 

strategic principles to help define 

the future of propulsion testing at 

NASA Stennis. 

See AWARDS, Page 7

2022 NASA Stennis Honor Awards
Page 7 LAGNIAPPE May 2023

AWARDS

Continued from Page 6

This FSI effort has resulted in longterm facility investments and budget 

planning. 

Teenia Perry 

received 

the NASA 

Exceptional 

Achievement 

Medal after 

managing 

approximately 

$35 million 

worth of repair projects following 

two hurricanes that affected NASA 

Stennis. By partnering with the U.S. 

Army Corp of Engineers, Perry 

took an innovative approach to 

procuring services needed, which 

greatly lessened the burden on the 

NASA civil servant workforce and 

ensured the timely completion of 

repairs. Her work proved especially 

crucial considering Green Run 

testing for NASA’s Space Launch 

System program was underway at 

the time. Perry’s management of the 

repair work helped ensure critical 

operations continued for NASA 

Stennis and tenants of the federal 

city. 

Three NASA Stennis employees 

received NASA’s Early Career 

Achievement Medal. The medal is 

awarded to government employees 

for unusual and significant 

performance during the first 10 years 

of an individual’s career in support 

of the agency.

Brian Everett 

received 

the NASA 

Early Career 

Achievement 

Medal for 

significant 

contributions 

as a software 

quality 

assurance engineer in the NASA 

Safety and Mission Assurance 

Directorate. Everett became a 

NASA employee in March 2020 and 

soon began remote work off site 

due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Undeterred, he quickly learned about 

software development and assurance 

at NASA Stennis. Everett served 

the following year as the software 

assurance subject matter expert 

while his colleague participated in 

a year-long detail. Additionally, he 

played an integral role in preparing 

NASA Stennis for certification of 

the NASA Platform for Autonomous 

Systems software. 

Peyton 

Pinson

received 

the NASA 

Early Career 

Achievement 

Medal for 

critical 

support to 

NASA and commercial test projects 

as an engineer in the Mechanical 

Operations Branch. Pinson has 

become an integral part of the 

E Test Complex, taking primary 

responsibility for operations and 

maintenance of the ultra-high 

pressure nitrogen generation system. 

The system proved vital for planned 

testing activities while being essential 

for Green Run testing of the Space 

Launch System core stage that 

helped launch Artemis I. In addition 

to being test conductor at the E Test 

Complex, Pinson recently completed 

a detail assignment as a propulsion 

analyst, where he contributed to 

operational strategies in support of 

ongoing and proposed projects.

Kevin Stiede 

received 

the NASA 

Early Career 

Achievement 

Medal for 

work that 

includes 

supervising 

several critical projects from the 

Facility Services Branch of the 

Center Operations Directorate. 

Stiede has managed over $2 

million worth of maintenance 

activities. The projects have helped 

eliminate time-based maintenance 

tasks and resulted in a significant 

return on investment, including 

cost avoidance of approximately 

$500,000. The long-term savings 

is projected to exceed the initial 

cost within a few years. He also 

successfully managed rehabilitation 

to the natural gas system at NASA 

Stennis. Stiede currently manages 

a contract designed to make 

significant improvements in energy 

consumption throughout several 

facilities at NASA Stennis. 

Two NASA Stennis employees 

received NASA’s Silver Achievement 

Medal. The medal is awarded to 

government and non-government 

individuals or teams by NASA center 

directors for a stellar achievement 

that supports one or more of 

NASA’s core values.

Christoffer 

BarnettWoods

received the 

NASA Silver 

Achievement 

Medal for 

achievements 

key to the 

successful testing model of multiple 

commercial projects at the E-1 Test 

Complex. As electrical lead and 

instrumentation engineer, BarnettWoods has supported planning and 

implementation of more than 150 

tests at E-1. Additionally, he has 

helped modernize the test complex 

by upgrading the data acquisition 

system, which is vital to the success 

of hot fire tests. Barnett-Woods has 

navigated all testing needs to ensure 

the success of multiple commercial 

test projects. Throughout his work, 

Barnett-Woods demonstrates NASA’s 

core values of safety, integrity, 

teamwork, excellence, and inclusion.

Robbie Randall received the NASA 

Silver Achievement Medal for 

effectively performing critical test 

project roles simultaneously. 

See AWARDS, Page 8
Page 8 LAGNIAPPE May 2023

AWARDS

Continued from Page 7

Through 

his work, 

Randall has 

demonstrated 

an ability to 

complete 

complex 

activities at a 

high level. 

He successfully supported Space 

Launch System core stage testing for 

the Artemis I mission as one of four 

individuals to handle the hydrogen 

burn-off igniters. In this role, Randall 

proved instrumental with developing 

processes to store, transport, handle, 

and install the igniters. This paved 

the way for Randall being assigned 

as mechanical operations lead 

engineer for multiple commercial 

test projects. Additionally, he has 

supervised facility modifications 

during increased commercial testing 

at the E Test Complex. Randall’s 

contributions reflect the NASA core 

values of safety, integrity, teamwork, 

excellence, and inclusion.

The Core Stage Liquid Hydrogen 

Flow Test and Bleed Development 

Test Team received the NASA 

Silver Group Achievement Award 

for its work in progressing from 

design to testing in four months and 

in securing necessary information to 

maintain the scheduled path forward 

to support the launch of Artemis 

I. The team designed, fabricated, 

installed, activated, and tested the 

Artemis I core stage simulated 

liquid hydrogen system hardware to 

address pre-pressurization challenges 

during Green Run testing of the 

Space Launch system core stage 

for Artemis I at NASA Stennis in 

March 2021. Twenty-three test cases 

were examined after successfully 

completing 29 flow tests to provide 

needed data. The group included 

personnel from NASA, Boeing, and 

Syncom Space Services. 

Team members included:

NASA

John Bourgeois

David Carver

Jack Conley

Jasper Cook

Alex Elliot

Daniel Goad

Robert Goluba

Juan Gomez

Ronald Good

Angela Hall

Mark Hancock

Andrew Henken

Brandon Ladner

Peter Mazurkivich

Nicholas Nugent

Ryan Roberts

Barry Robinson

James Sheppard

Robert Simmers

Edward Smith

Darrel Varner

Richard Wear

Casey Wheeler

Burnley Wigley

Support Team

Vicki Ard

Kelly Austin

Glen Beech

James Bennett

Todd Bologna

Brett Bossier

Jace Boudreaux

Cheley Carpenter

Anthony Carrier

Samuel Clay

Blaine Cochran

Nicholas Coleman

Thomas Connelly

Jeffrey Coots

Joseph D’angelo

John Davis

Luke Denney

Shelton Dunn

Jason Evans

Tait Favaloro

Bradley Favre

Brandon Fleming

Anthony Fleming

Frank Ford

Gregory Freudenthal

Kerry Gallagher

Jason Grow

Brianne Guillot

Will Gurton

Charles Hariel

Larry Hart

Tamika Hawkins

Clayton Hoda

Gerald Howard

James Hudnall

William Ivey

Collin Jackson

Kurt Jarrell

Katie Jarrell

Daniel Jocks

Micah Jones

Marsella Jones

Tamika Jones

James Jordan

Matthew Klein

Charles Krampert

Chadwick Ladner

Wendell Ladner

Gregory Ladner

Catriona Ladner Shaw

Charlotte Lawrence

See AWARDS, Page 9

The Core Stage Liquid Hydrogen Flow Test and Bleed Development Test Team
Page 9 LAGNIAPPE May 2023

The Future State Initiative Team

AWARDS

Continued from Page 8

Jeffery Lawson

Harlie Lee

Jonathan Lee

Kimberley Lee

Yassaman Liaghati-Mobarhan

Curtis Lockwood

Eduardo Lopez

Derek Martin

Ronald Martin

Jacob Mckinley

Jimmy Miles

Timothy Miller

Mark Mills

Lori Mills

Thomas Mitchell

Dennis Necaise

Chad Nicholas

Chad Northrop

Donald Osborne

Michael Palmer

Cameron Parker

Kevin Parker

Barnie Parker

Chad Parker

Aaron Pearson

Alan Peterson

Melissa Quarles

Ivan Ramirez

Alvin Richard

Michael Robinson

Henry Rodriguez

Karissa Rolfe

Rachael Ryerson

Laura Sakmyster

Raymond Seymour

Craig Shaw

Andrea Skok

Spencer Smith

Billy Ray Smith

Stacey Smith

Frances Songy

Darrin Spansel

Jared Spiers

Matthew Steed

Paul Stephens

Chris Sturgis

Joshua Tarter

Stacy Tarter

Carmalee Tarter

David Thomas

Courtney Thoms

Chad Tournillon

Dale Tutor

Perry Waller

Ryan Williams

Jesse Yarbrough

Rickie Zerkus

Michael Zimmerman

The Future State Initiative Team

received the NASA Silver Group 

Achievement Award for its work 

in helping NASA Stennis adapt 

its approach for supporting and 

conducting its propulsion testing 

mission. The team performed 

a four-phase approach over 10 

months that identified cultural, 

technical, and business process 

adjustments necessary for the NASA 

Stennis test complex to ensure 

long-term viability. All resulting 

recommendations and policy 

adjustments are intended to enable 

the center to continue providing 

value to a range of aerospace 

community, stakeholders, and 

potential partners.

Team Members include: 

NASA

Curtis Armstrong

Sallie Bilbo

Patrick Cullen

Kimberly Driebergen

William Miltier

Scott Olive

Stephen Rawls

Jason Richard

Claude Sanders

Steven Taylor

Calvin Thompson

Grant Tregre

Support Team 

Lorna Ammond

Amber Archer

Robert Hammond

Bridget Neal

In addition to medal recipients, 

NASA Stennis individuals and 

groups were recognized for years 

of service and other noteworthy 

contributions.

Length of Service Awards

25 Years

Carol Kellar

Teenia Perry

Sallie Bilbo

Wanda Campbell

30 Years

Troy Frisbie

Karen Vander

35 Years

Gigi Savona

Beth Bradley

David Failla

Dinna Cottrell

John Stealey

Patrick Appelman

Thomas Lipski

40 Years

Thomas Stanley, Jr. 

Ramona Travis

See AWARDS, Page 10
Page 10 LAGNIAPPE May 2023

AWARDS

Continued from Page 9

Group Achievement Award

Blue Origin LOX Duct

Testing Team

NASA

Christoffer Barnett-Woods

John Bourgeois

Andrew Bracey

Elizabeth Calantoni

Brandon Goss

James Hamilton

Melissa Huggins

Truc Le

Jared Meredith

Christopher Mulkey

Raymond Nichols

Kevin Oramous

Peyton Pinson

Robbie Randall

Robert Ross

Paul Rydeen

Robert Smith

Janice Tasin

Richard Wear

Support Team

Justin Alison

Christine Anderson

Vicki Ard

Kelly Austin

Larry Beech

Jesse Bilbo

David Blansett

Van Bolden

Byron Bordelon

Dwayne Brown

Shelby Campbell

Michael Carr

Brandon Carver

Brent Carver

Brandon Clark

Samuel Clay

Blaine Cochran

Nicholas Coleman

Mark Corr

Robert Craft

Eric Cranford

Jesse Crawford

Cody Cuevas

John Cumberland

Michael Cummings

Scott Curet

Joseph D’angelo

Horace Davis

Wyatt Davis

Armando Delgado

Phillip Dossett

Joni Dumas

Daniel Duplantis

Tait Favaloro

Susan Fendley

Dan Fillette

Anthony Fleming

Brandon Fleming

Bryce Fowler

Allen Frederick

Adam Fulks

Kerry Gallagher

Brock Giovenco

Richard Grimstead

Patrick Guidry

Brianne Guillot

Kenneth Hancock

Michael Haralson

Scott Hariel

Jessie Harriel

Larry Hart

Kenneth Hawkins

Tamika Hawkins

Rubin Herrin

Mack Hester

Darwyn Hilsher

Petter Hobgood

Clayton Hoda

Jeret Howard

William Ivey

Anthony Jackson

Kurt Jarrell

Daniel Jocks

Michael Johnson

Edward Johnson

Robert Jones

Tamika Jones

Marsella Jones

Ricky Jones

Yancey Jordan

Kevin Jurich

Kim Juzang

Robin Ladner

Steven Ladner

Jackie Ladner

Chadwick Ladner

Gregory Ladner

Jody Ladner

Harlie Lee

Jonathan Lee

Joseph Lesieur

Eric Lichtenstein

Keith Lizana

Jeremiah Lumpkin

Paul Lusich

Ricky Lyons

Thomas Martin

Derek Martin

Bruce Matthews

Ronnie Mcgowan

Jacob Mckinley

Timothy Miller

Lori Mills

Mark Mills

Timothy Mitchell

Gerald Moran

James Nabors

Nicole Narvaez

Douglas Necaise

Dennis Necaise

James Necaise

Jay Necaise

See AWARDS, Page 11

Blue Origin LOX Duct Testing Team
Page 11 LAGNIAPPE May 2023

AWARDS

Continued from Page 10

Curtis Olive

Timothy Osborne

Donald Osborne

Kevin Parker

Chad Parker

Aaron Pearson

Nicholas Phelps

Kenneth Powe

Christopher Quinn

Mitchell Railey

Karissa Rolfe

Joe Russell

Larry Saucier

Timothy Seals

Raymond Seymour

Grant Shaw

Andrea Skok

Garett Smith

Spencer Smith

Stacey Smith

Darrin Spansel

Johnie Spence

Joshua Spence

Billy Spence

Devin Spence

Jared Spiers

Jonathan Strickland

Mary Subat

Carmalee Tarter

Joshua Tarter

Stacy Tarter

David Thomas

Courtney Thoms

Richard Vaughan

Nicholas Vitrano

Terry Wactor

Karmela Wahl

Jason Wheat

Cleveland Whitfield

Rolland Wichterich

Ryan Williams

Raymond Williams

Aaron Williamson

Craig Wise

Daymond Wood

Rickie Zerkus

Michael Zimmerman

Firehawk Hybrid Rocket Motor

Testing Team

NASA

Jared Grover

Raymond Nichols

Delton Rodriguez

Robert Ross

Paul Rydeen

Gary Taylor

Support Team

David Coote

Lorrie Gibson

Land and Building Enhanced

Use Lease Agreement Team

NASA

Leslie Anderson

Andrew Clarke

Kimberly Driebergen

Mark Hancock

Rachel Harrison-Woodard

Linh Lam

Adam Murrah

Timothy Pierce

Kevin Power

Jeffrey Renshaw

Davin Rieke

Robert Ross

Kamili Shaw

See AWARDS, Page 12

Land and Building Enhanced Use Lease Agreement Team

Firehawk Hybrid Rocket Motor Testing Team
Page 12 LAGNIAPPE May 2023

AWARDS

Continued from Page 11

Support Team

Robert Hammond

Mary Subat

Launcher Thrust Chamber

Assembly and LOX

Turbopump Team

NASA

Leslie Anderson

Christoffer Barnett-Woods

Kimberly Driebergen

Melissa Huggins

Truc Le

Christopher Mulkey

Peyton Pinson

Robbie Randall

Richard Rauch

Stephen Rawls

David Roberts

Richard Wear

Robert Williams

Christina Zeringue

Support Team

Van Bolden

Byron Bordelon

Samuel Clay

Jesse Crawford

Wyatt Davis

Anthony Fleming

James Hancock

Mack Hester

Chadwick Ladner

Jody Ladner

Nicole Narvaez

Karmela Wahl

Tommy Seals

Tait Favaloro

Tamika Hawkins

Tamika Jones

Chadwick Ladner

Grant Shaw

Carmalee Tarter

David Blansett

Susan Fendley

Dan Fillette

Adam Fulks

Brock Giovenco

Rubin Herrin

Anthony Jackson

Yancey Jordan

Eric Lichtenstein

Paul Lusich

Bruce Matthews

Jacob Mckinley

Kevin Parker

Raymond Seymour

Josh Spense

Raymond Williams

Armando Delgado

Roger Bridges

Brandon Clark

Joni Dumas

Charles Hariel

Petter Hobgood

Matthew Hollinghead

Jeret Howard

Kurt Jarrell

Kim Juzang

Joseph Lizana

Carley Odom

Kenneth Powe

Mary Subat

Terry Wactor

NPAS CMMI Level 2

Certification Team

NASA

Rae Anderson

Dawn Davis

Alex Elliot

Brian Everett

Jorge Figueroa

Shanice Hopson

Bridget Jones

See AWARDS, Page 13

Launcher Thrust Chamber Assembly and LOX Turbopump Team

NPAS CMMI Level 2 Certification Team
Page 13 LAGNIAPPE May 2023

AWARDS

Continued from Page 12

Travis Martin

Ke Nguyen

Landon Tynes

Lauren Underwood

Jacqueline Wall

Support Team

Joshua Broberg

Gayli Craver

Harini Daram

Amy Gormley

Jonathan Morris

Quentin Oswald

Eduardo Piatti

Brian Rey

Michael Walker

Mark Walker

RS-25 E0525 Retro 3A

Test Series Team

NASA

Apolonia Acker

Daniel Allgood

Rae Anderson

Henry Bakker

Cory Beckemeyer

John Bourgeois

Valerie Buckingham

Thomas Carroll

David Carver

Veronica Causey

Craig Chandler

Jack Conley

Howard Conyers

Kimberly Driebergen

Alex Elliot

Reginald Ellis

Daniel Goad

Robert Goluba

Ralph Gonzalez

Ronald Good

Joshua Greiner

Jared Grover

Angela Hall

Jeffery Henderson

Andrew Henken

Michael Holmes

Lester Langford

Hooper Lavigne

Ryan Mckibben

Kristopher Mobbs

Tristan Mooney

Ke Nguyen

Raymond Nichols

Jason Peterson

Peyton Pinson

Benjamin Powell

Michael Rewis

Jason Richard

Mark Robinson

Cecile Saltzman

Ryan Seals

Marc Shoemaker

Robert Simmers

Calvin Thompson

Neil Toupin

Nyla Trumbach

Mark Turowski

Bradley Tyree

Darrel Varner

Support Team

Demario Barganier

Bret Barras

Jeffrey Barros

William Berry

Karon Bradley

Raven Bridges

Casa Compton

Shane Corr

See AWARDS, Page 14

RS-25 E0525 Retro 3A Test Series Test Team
Page 14 LAGNIAPPE May 2023

AWARDS

Continued from Page 13

Lorrie Gibson

Gage Haas

Gonathun Hart

Vincent Henricks

John Hornor

Felisha Jarrell

Emma Johnston

Stephen Koch

Rachel Ladner

Robert Manton

Joshua Mcbeth

Thomas Mckrush

Robert Mclain

Jennifer Melton

Shane Mendel

Jamie Moran

Charles Nowlin

Jennifer Ramsey

Ronnie Rigney

Jeannie Roberts

Harold Ross

Shelby Russell

James Ryan

Theresa Spears

William Stewart

Bradley Stockstill

Carly Sudduth

Nestor Torres

Stephen Weiss

Charles Wells

Karl Wilcox

Wanda Williams

Denise Woods

NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Business Operations Casey Swails speaks during the Stennis Honor Awards Ceremony April 26. In addition to 

presenting awards, Swails met with center leadership and the Women Inspiring Stennis Excellence resource group and toured commercial partner facilities. 

NASA Core Values

Safety

Excellence

Teamwork

Integrity

Inclusion 
Page 15 LAGNIAPPE May 2023

NASA Leaders Attend Small Business and HBCU Summit

More than 200 participants attended the NASA and Partners Small 

Business and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Summit 

on April 27 at Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO). During the 

one-day education and networking event hosted by the NASA Office of 

Small Business Programs and Partners, attendees acquired tips, tools, 

and resources for doing business with the agency, tailored to small 

businesses and HBCUs. Attendees also learned about the procurement 

process at NASA, the NASA Mentor-Protégé Program, federal government 

opportunities, working with agency prime contractors, resources from 

trade associations, and more. Partnering organizations included SUNO, 

the U.S. Small Business Administration Louisiana District Office, Louisiana 

APEX Accelerator (formerly Louisiana Procurement Technical Assistance 

Center), Dillard University, and Xavier University of Louisiana. NASA 

Stennis speakers included Director Dr. Rick Gilbrech, Engineering and 

Test Directorate Deputy Director Freddie Douglas, NASA Small Business 

Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Program 

Manager Tom Stanley, and small business specialist Kay Doane. 

(Top photo) NASA Stennis Director Dr. Rick Gilbrech gives opening 

remarks during the NASA and Partners Small Business and Historically 

Black Colleges and Universities Summit on April 27 at Southern University 

at New Orleans. Photo Credits: NASA/Michael S. DeMocker

Small businesses are integral in the work NASA does. NASA contracts resulted in $3.6 billion for small businesses in fiscal 

year (FY) 2022. NASA Stennis awarded $143 million dollars supporting small businesses in FY 2022. Additionally, Historically 

Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are a viable recruiting and sourcing platform for NASA to access the best talent and 

cultivate an inclusive work environment. There are 14 HBCU graduates currently working among the NASA Stennis workforce, 

including six Southern University graduates.

NASA Supports Small Business and HBCUs

NASA Stennis Engineering and Test Directorate Deputy Director Freddie 

Douglas, a Southern University graduate, participates at the NASA and 

Partners Small Business and Historically Black Colleges and Universities 

(HBCU) Summit at Southern University at New Orleans.

NASA Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business 

Technology Transfer Program Manager Tom Stanley (right) participates in 

the NASA and Partners Small Business and Historically Black Colleges and 

Universities (HBCU) Summit at Southern University at New Orleans.
Page 16 LAGNIAPPE May 2023

NASA in the News

Launched in 1977, the Voyager 2 spacecraft is 

more than 12 billion miles (20 billion kilometers) 

from Earth, using five science instruments to 

study interstellar space. To help keep those instruments 

operating despite a diminishing power supply, the aging 

spacecraft has begun using a small reservoir of backup 

power set aside as part of an onboard safety mechanism. 

The move will enable the mission to postpone shutting 

down a science instrument until 2026, rather than this 

year. Switching off a science instrument will not end 

the mission. After shutting off the one instrument in 

2026, the probe will continue to operate four science 

instruments until the declining power supply requires 

another to be turned off. If Voyager 2 remains healthy, 

the engineering team anticipates the mission could 

potentially continue for years to come. Click here to read 

more about the only spacecraft ever to operate outside 

the heliosphere, the protective bubble of particles and 

magnetic fields generated by the Sun

NASA’s Voyager Will Do More 

Science With New Power Strategy

Through NASA’s TROPICS mission, researchers will improve life on Earth by observing the atmosphere to increase humanity’s understanding 

of hurricanes, typhoons, and other intense weather. Two 

NASA CubeSats are in orbit after successfully launching 

May 8 at 1 p.m. NZST (May 7 at 8 p.m. CT). The first 

pair of the agency’s TROPICS (Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity 

with a Constellation of Smallsats) satellites lifted off 

aboard an Electron rocket from Rocket Lab’s Launch 

Complex 1 Pad B in Māhia, New Zealand. TROPICS is 

a constellation of four identical CubeSats designed to 

observe tropical cyclones in a unique, inclined low-Earth 

orbit over Earth’s tropics – an orbit that allows them to 

travel over any given storm about once an hour. Current 

weather tracking satellites have a timing of about once 

every six hours. Rocket Lab, a new commercial tenant at 

NASA Stennis, was selected for the TROPICS mission in 

2022. Click here to read more about the mission.

NASA, Rocket Lab Launch First Pair 

of Storm Observing CubeSats

Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket lifts off from Launch Complex 1 at Māhia, New Zealand on May 8 at 1 p.m. NZST (May 7 at 8 p.m. CT), carrying two TROPICS 

CubeSats for NASA. Photo Credit: Rocket Lab
Page 17 LAGNIAPPE May 2023

NASA Stennis News

Prevention Group Holds Annual Meeting at NASA Stennis

(Above photo) The NASA Mishap Program Working Group stands in front 

of the Roy S. Estess Building at NASA’s Stennis Space Center during a site 

visit April 26. As part of NASA’s Office of Safety and Mission Assurance, the 

prevention program includes representatives from all NASA centers, the 

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and all component facilities. The advisory body 

develops agencywide plans and strategies to promote effective leadership 

through sharing best practices and lessons learned. It meets quarterly and 

NASA Stennis hosted the annual face-to-face meeting for 2023. 

Interns Tour NASA Stennis 

(Left photo) NASA Office of STEM Engagement staff and student interns 

stand in front of the Fred Haise Test Stand during a NASA Stennis site tour 

on April 28. NASA Office of STEM Engagement paid internships allow high 

school and college-level students to contribute to agency projects under the 

guidance of a NASA mentor. The Pathways program offers current students 

and recent graduates paid internships that are direct pipelines to full-time 

employment at NASA upon graduation. The group includes students from 

Mississippi College, Mississippi State, Rochester Institute of Technology, and 

Texas A&M.

Nearly 18,000 of the nation’s top scientists, engineers, and 

business professionals work across the United States at 

NASA’s 10 center locations, the NASA Shared Services 

Centers, or one of the agency’s smaller test and research 

facilities. Learn more about NASA internships here.

Find Your Place in Space
Page 18 LAGNIAPPE May 2023

NASA Stennis News

Mississippi Legislators Visit Stennis

Leaders at NASA’s Stennis Space Center welcome Benjamin Turpen, professional staff member of the 

U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, to NASA Stennis on April 13. Turpen learned 

about the work conducted at NASA Stennis, which includes rocket propulsion testing and the site’s role as 

a federal city. Pictured (seated, l to r) are NASA Stennis Associate Director Rodney McKellip, Turpen, and 

NASA Stennis Deputy Director John Bailey. Pictured (standing, l to r) are NASA Stennis Chief Financial Officer Deborah Norton, NASA Office of the Chief Financial Officer representative Ryan Sims, NASA Stennis 

Director of Engineering and Test Directorate Joe Schuyler, and NASA Stennis Strategic Business Office 

Manager Duane Armstrong.

NASA’s Stennis Space Center Director Rick Gilbrech (l) and NASA Stennis Deputy Director John Bailey 

(center) meet with U.S. Rep. Mike Ezell of Mississippi (r), during an on-site visit April 12. NASA Stennis 

hosted the congressman and staff members representing Mississippi’s 4th congressional district for a visit 

and site tour that included stops at the Aerojet Rocketdyne Engine Assembly Facility, the Fred Haise Test 

Stand, and the E Test Complex.

NASA’s Stennis 

Space Center is a 

unique federal city 

home to about 40 federal, 

state, academic, private, and 

technology-based tenants. 

One government office that 

is part of the federal city at 

NASA Stennis celebrated 15 

years of service last month.

When demand for U.S. passports increased in 2008, the 

U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) opened a 

production facility at NASA 

Stennis. 

“Congratulations to the 

entire team in Stennis for 

surpassing all of our expectations,” said GPO Director 

Hugh Nathanial Halpern.

The publishing office, which 

was originally intended as a 

backup site for production 

of passports, cited the secure 

location of Stennis as a reason for its selection. 

The GPO has produced 

nearly 91 million U.S. passports since 2008.

“Our teammates there 

quickly proved their value 

and are critical to our overall 

secure credential production business,” Halpern said. 

“Thanks to each of them 

for 15 years of dedication to 

delivering a first-rate product 

and customer experience to 

our federal customers.”

Government 

Publishing 

Office Celebrates 

15 Years of 

Service
Page 19 LAGNIAPPE May 2023

NASA Engineer Embraces the Challenge of Change 

NASA software project manager Kris Mobbs 

is no stranger to change. After being born in 

Michigan, he lived in Illinois and then Wisconsin. 

A new job for 

his dad brought 

he and his family 

to Mississippi 

nearly 30 years 

ago. 

Mobbs since has 

lived in various 

places along 

the Gulf Coast 

including Biloxi, 

Gulfport, and 

Ocean Springs. 

The Woolmarket 

resident learned 

to embrace 

change early 

in life. Mobbs 

brings that 

perspective 

with him daily 

to NASA’s 

Stennis Space 

Center, where 

the challenge of 

change and hard 

parts of the job 

are made easier 

because of the 

people he works alongside.

“The people are hands down the best,” said NASA 

engineer Kris Mobbs. “The amount of support, trust, 

guidance, acceptance, constructive criticism, forgiveness, 

and comradery I have received and experienced has been 

life changing.”

The NASA Stennis federal city welcomed Mobbs to the 

site nearly nine years ago. He started as an intern at the 

Naval Research Laboratory after earning a bachelor’s 

degree in computer science from The University of 

Southern Mississippi. 

Mobbs followed his passion of software engineering in 

positions as a contract worker for the Navy and NASA 

before landing a job as a NASA engineer in the Electric 

Operations branch. He feels his NASA career has 

limitless potential, citing daily support from management 

to pursue his passion. 

He currently manages the NASA Data Acquisition 

Software (NDAS), which was created at NASA Stennis. 

The goal is to build a software product that can be easily 

adopted by other projects and facilities within the agency.

This would help minimize cost, while providing long 

term maintenance, training, and support. One function 

the software serves is collecting critical test information 

on RS-25 engines 

that will help 

power the Space 

Launch System 

rocket on Artemis 

missions to 

the Moon and 

eventual flights to 

Mars. 

A key task with 

the overall scope 

of the project 

is prioritizing 

multiple center 

stakeholder needs. 

Looking ahead, 

there is no 

shortage of new 

features to create 

or improvements 

to make with 

existing features. 

It is in the 

challenging 

times, where 

being trusted 

by management 

with his decision 

making to lead 

the project, strengthens the engineer’s resolve to move 

forward. 

“I have never had to look far for guidance,” Mobbs 

said. “I have learned a lot about electrical engineering, 

personnel management and funding, NASA software 

engineering and NASA software safety. 

“I am very grateful to everyone who has given me the 

time to grow in these areas. Just like anyone learning 

something new, I stumble. Everyone I have worked 

with have always accepted my failures, forgave without 

resentment, and provided plenty of constructive 

criticism.” 

As NASA inspires the world, Mobbs is encouraged daily 

at a place he describes as “one big family no matter who 

you are.” 

“There are very exciting times ahead,” Mobbs said. “Our 

agency and center are changing and adapting to our new 

commercial friends joining us in space. It requires us to 

change as well and not all change is bad. I look to our 

future at NASA with optimism and to my opportunities 

with excitement and pride.”

NASA software engineer Kris Mobbs is shown at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, where he leads 

the NASA Data Acquisition Software team. The team earned a 2023 NASA Engineering and Safety 

Center (NESC) Group Achievement Award in recognition of outstanding accomplishment through 

the coordination of individual efforts that have contributed substantially to the success of the NESC 

mission.
Page 20 LAGNIAPPE May 2023

May 17, 1963 – The Start of Something Great

The sound of a falling tree cut down by work 

crews 60 years ago on May 17, 1963, signified the 

rise of what transformed into NASA’s Stennis 

Space Center. 

As recounted 

in the official 

history of NASA 

Stennis, “Way 

Station to Space” 

by Mack Herring, 

the selection of 

Hancock County 

was a complex 

and heavily 

evaluated task. 

There were 

specific 

conditions 

required for the 

selected site to 

test rocket stages 

and engines. 

NASA required a 

facility accessible 

to Michoud 

Assembly Facility 

in New Orleans, 

where rockets 

were built, and 

Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, where 

rockets were launched.

The site needed to be in a rural area due to noise and 

vibrations that come with testing, while situated in a place 

where local communities supported it.

Another key element for the location was its access to 

water, highway, and rail for supplies and transportation 

of rockets. 

A site committee formed and considered existing as well 

as new locations. After filtering through locations that 

did not meet the initial criteria, NASA soon created a 

shortlist that included Hancock County, Mississippi. 

The south Mississippi site met all requirements. The 

location was 45 miles from New Orleans, accessible via 

river and highway, surrounding communities that could 

support it, and featured a climate permitting year-round 

testing. Shortly after the committee visited the site, they 

decided it would 

be the place where 

testing for the 

Apollo rockets 

would happen.

On May 17, 1963, 

workers cut the 

first tree to begin 

construction of 

what was to be the 

Mississippi Test 

Facility. Building 

the facility was 

not an everyday 

occurrence. 

The banks of the 

Pearl River and 

the surrounding 

land were full of 

trees, grass, vines, 

mud, snakes, and 

mosquitos. 

South Mississippi 

weather did not 

make the task any 

more manageable 

as sweltering temperatures and persistent storms plagued 

the work area. 

The muddy conditions caused machinery to become 

bogged down, which slowed and sometimes stopped 

construction altogether. Mixing old technology, such 

as mules and plows to clear the land, along with new 

machinery and building materials, got the job done. 

By 1966, just three years after the U.S. Corps of 

Engineers cut the first tree down, the first static test firing 

of a Saturn V engine stage was conducted.

Less than four years later, astronauts Neil Armstrong 

and Buzz Aldrin walked on the lunar surface during the 

Apollo 11 mission, safely transported thousands of miles 

by the Saturn V rocket, powered by engines tested at the 

site now known as NASA Stennis. 

Crews cut the first tree May 17, 1963, to begin clearing the test site area for construction. At the 

height of construction of Stennis facilities in the 1960s, some 6,100 employees were onsite with 30 

prime and 250 subcontractor companies. It was the largest construction project in Mississippi and 

the second largest in the United States. Photo Credit: NASA/Stennis

Hail & Farewell

NASA welcomes the following:

Cassi Meyer Law Clerk Office of the General Counsel

Alison Butsch Supervisory Accountant Office of Chief Financial Officer
Page 21 LAGNIAPPE May 2023

Local History Celebrates Asian American and

Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month 

Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity

May marks the celebration of Asian 

American and Native Hawaiian Pacific 

Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. The 

observation celebrates the rich contributions of Asian 

Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander 

people to U.S. society, the economy, and culture. The 

U.S. Census Bureau defines AANHPIs as persons 

whose roots can be traced to the original peoples of 

the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, 

Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands. This 

highly diverse group encompasses different cultures, 

languages, religions, backgrounds, histories, and other 

characteristics. 

Asian Americans, and Native Hawaiians, and Pacific 

Islanders make the United States more vibrant through 

a diversity of cultures, languages, and religions. 

There is no single story of the AANHPI experience 

but rather a diversity of contributions that enrich 

America’s culture and society and strengthen the 

nation’s role as a global leader. 

Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific 

Islanders have helped build and unite the nation 

in each successive generation. From laying railroad 

tracks, tilling fields, and starting businesses, to caring 

for loved ones and honorably serving the nation in 

uniform, AANHPI communities are deeply rooted in 

the history of the United States. 

The Federal Asian Pacific American Council theme 

for 2023 is entitled, “Advancing Leaders Through 

Opportunity,” which further highlights the council’s 

efforts in advancing leaders in federal and District of 

Columbia governments. This year’s theme continues 

the “Advancing Leaders” theme started in 2021.

In Mississippi and Louisiana, AANHPI heritage can 

be celebrated through local Vietnamese cutlture. In the 

1960s-70s, more than 120,000 Vietnamese refugees 

came to the United States. Several Vietnamese 

immigrants migrated to Mississippi and Louisiana to 

be close to the port city of New Orleans. 

According to Mississippi History Now, “Many 

Vietnamese immigrants were fishermen, and the Gulf 

Coast’s seafood industry became a reason for some of 

them to relocate permanently to Mississippi.” 

Additionally, Vietnamese immigrants were attracted 

to the subtropic climate of Mississippi and Louisiana 

because it was like Vietnam.

Vietnamese immigrants not only faced the hardships 

of a native country divided by war but also faced 

animosity and violence when seeking refuge in 

America. Specifically in Mississippi and Louisiana, 

Vietnamese immigrants struggled to integrate into the 

already established fishing community. 

According to Mississippi History Now, “As 

[Vietnamese] immigrants settled, they found that some 

communities proved more receptive than others. Biloxi 

was one such community, as labor was desperately 

needed in the oyster factories. Although not the ideal 

situation for the fishermen at the time, experienced 

Vietnamese fishermen and their relatives worked in the 

factories to gain entrance into the seafood industry.”

New Orleans and Biloxi now participate in Vietnamese 

culture, including the annual harvest festival known 

as Tet Trung Thu festival. It is celebrated on the 

lunar August to honor the Moon. The celebration 

has children making their way throughout the streets 

singing and carrying colorful lanterns of different 

shapes and sizes. They feature fishes, stars, butterflies 

that spin when candles are inserted. This represents 

the Earth circling the Sun.

One important event before and during the 

Vietnamese mid-Autumn Festival is lion dancing. Both 

non-professional and professional children groups 

perform dances on the streets or go to houses. Biloxi 

and New Orleans has a history of hosting a midAutumn Moon Festival for its residents. 

Additionally, Vietnamese Americans in the seafood 

industry participate in the Biloxi “Blessing of the 

Fleet.” The event was first held in August 1929 at the 

beginning of shrimp season. Boat owners decorate 

boats and line up to be blessed by local Catholic 

priests. It represents a blending of many immigrant 

cultures of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. 

This month, take the opportunity to celebrate the 

rich Vietnamese history and culture in Mississippi and 

Louisiana. To learn more about AANHPI month and 

local history, visit the links below:

White House AANHPI Fact Sheet

Vietnamese Folklife in New Orleans

“Viet-Cajun” Food Mixes Vietnamese, Southern US

Cultures

Preserving Vietnamese Culture and Language in

Southern Louisiana: Altars as Symbols of Identity
•

Online Resources

Page 22 LAGNIAPPE May 2023

NASA Stennis

Artemis Resources

Click the above photo for 

NASA Stennis Artemis resources.

View coverage from NASA Stennis Media Day

Click the links below.

• AP: NASA Tests Redesigned Moon Rocket Engine

• WDAM: NASA Tests Engine for Artemis Mission

• WDSU: NASA Crews in Southern Mississippi Work on Future Space Flights

• WGNO: NASA Tests Engines for Future Artemis Flights

• WLOX: Stennis Space Center Engine Test Takes Next Step Toward Space Travel

NASA Moon To Mars

Click the above photo to learn more about 

NASA’s Moon to Mars Strategy and Objectives Development.

SuperTalk Mississippi

Interviews NASA Engineer

Bradley Tyree

Click the above photo for the interview.