Charlie Blackwell-Thompson

Join Lakeisha Hawkins, Nancy's key decision-maker for the Artemis mission, along with Artemis launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson and ascent flight director Judd Freeling. They delve into the exciting details of the Artemis II mission, discussing the free-return trajectory, countdown procedures, and close lunar observations. The team shares insights on safety priorities and international competition in lunar exploration, while highlighting innovations like ProxOps and recovery operations. A thrilling ride to the Moon awaits!

Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, the NASA Artemis Launch Director, and Joe Pavisik, a Launch Engineer on the cryopropulsion team, share fascinating insights from the Artemis I mission. They delve into the intricate procedures for fueling rockets and recount their experiences from the nerve center during the launch. Joe highlights the quick response to a temperature anomaly that led to vital lessons learned, while Charlie reflects on her journey to become a launch director. Together, they discuss how these lessons set the stage for the upcoming Artemis II mission.