Indian-origin software and robotics engineer to head NASA's new programme

Amit Kshatriya a decorated IndianAmerican software and robotics engineer was appointed as the first head of NASAs newlyestablished Moon to Mars Programme that will help the agency ensure a longterm lunar presence needed to prepare for humanitys next giant leap to the Red PlanetAmit Kshatriya will serve as NASAs first head of the office with immediate effect the agency announced on ThursdayThe new office aims to carry out the agencys human exploration activities on the Moon and Mars for the benefit of humanity a NASA press release saidThe golden age of exploration is happening right now and this new office will help ensure that NASA successfully establishes a longterm lunar presence needed to prepare for humanitys next giant leap to the Red Planet said NASA Administrator Bill NelsonThe Moon to Mars Programme Office will help prepare NASA to carry out our bold missions to the Moon and land the first humans on Mars Nelson explainedThe new office resides within the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate reporting to its Associate Administrator Jim Free it saidAs directed by the 2022 NASA Authorisation Act the Moon to Mars Programme Office focuses on hardware development mission integration and risk management functions for programmes critical to the agencys exploration approach that uses Artemis missions at the Moon to open a new era of scientific discovery and prepare for human missions to Mars according to the press releaseThis includes the Space Launch System rocket Orion spacecraft supporting ground systems human landing systems spacesuits Gateway and more related to deep space explorationThe new office will also lead planning and analysis for longlead developments to support human Mars missions it saidIn his new role Kshatriya will be responsible for programme planning and implementation for human missions to the Moon and MarsKshatriya directed and provided leadership and integration for the Space Launch System Orion and Exploration Ground Systems programmes as well as associated Artemis Campaign Development Division initiatives linking the agencys Moon to Mars objectives it saidAlso Read Govt keeping eye on Covid situation prepared to face any eventuality Delhi CMPreviously Kshatriya served as the acting deputy associate administrator for the Common Exploration Systems Development DivisionKshatriya began his career in the space programme in 2003 working as a software engineer robotics engineer and spacecraft operator primarily focused on the robotic assembly of the International Space StationFrom 2014 to 2017 he served as a space station flight director where he led global teams in the operations and execution of the space station during all phases of flightIn 2021 he was assigned to NASA Headquarters in the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate as an assistant deputy associate administrator where he was an integral part of the team that returned a spacecraft designed to carry humans to the Moon during the Artemis I missionSon of firstgeneration Indian immigrants to the US Kshatriya holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena California and a Master of Arts in Mathematics from The University of Texas at AustinKshatriya was born in Brookfield Wisconsin but considers Katy Texas to be his hometownHe was decorated with the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal for actions as the lead flight director for the 50th expedition to the space station as well as the Silver Snoopy an award that astronauts bestow for outstanding performance contributing to flight safety for his actions as lead robotics officer for the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services Dragon demonstration mission to the orbiting laboratory the release addedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever