Jim Geffre

Jim Geffre is the Deputy Program Manager for NASA’s Moon Base Program at Johnson Space Center in Houston. He brings more than 25 years of NASA experience in spacecraft and architecture development, spanning concept formulation, design, certification, and flight operations. In his role, Geffre helps lead the development and integration of the systems and capabilities needed to establish an enduring human presence on the lunar surface.

Prior to joining the Moon Base Program, Geffre served as Deputy Program Manager for EVA and Human Surface Mobility Systems, where he helped lead the development of capabilities for EVA systems, lunar rovers, and other mobility systems supporting human exploration of the Moon. His work involved next-generation spacesuits, mobility platforms such as the Lunar Terrain Vehicle and Pressurized Rover, and new tools to enable astronauts to conduct science and operations on the lunar surface. He also supported efforts to safely execute spacewalks for the International Space Station.

Previously, Geffre led the Orion Vehicle Integration Office, where he was responsible for spacecraft system design and analysis and integration with the other major elements of NASA’s Moon to Mars architecture. His responsibilities also included systems engineering; mission and systems integration; and vehicle systems performance, including aerosciences, environments, and guidance, navigation, and control software and hardware development. Geffre supported the initial formulation of the Orion Program and the development and lifecycle integration of the European Service Module as an international partnership and critical element of Orion. His work spanned multiple flight tests, including Pad Abort-1, Exploration Flight Test-1, and Ascent Abort-2. He also helped develop and certify Orion’s Mission Evaluation Room and supported its operation during the 26-day Artemis I test flight in 2022.

A native of Minnesota, Geffre began his NASA career in 2000 supporting Johnson’s Exploration Office, where he performed conceptual design work for future NASA exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and other destinations. He also served as a core member of NASA’s Exploration Systems Architecture Study, helping develop architectures and Orion designs for human lunar return.

Throughout his career, Geffre has received numerous honors, including NASA’s Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal, Exceptional Achievement Medal, Outstanding Leadership Medal, the Johnson Space Center Director’s Commendation, and the Silver Snoopy Award.