Throughout February, we celebrate Black achievement and reflect on the history of Black Americans. NASA is celebrating Black voices, including Gateway team members paving the way for future generations, during Black History Month.
As a vital component of Artemis, Gateway opens doors for human space exploration and investigations. Artemis missions on and around the Moon also include landing the first woman and person of color on the Moon. Gateway is NASA’s Moon-orbiting outpost and cornerstone of long-term deep space exploration. It is being built with the cooperation of international and commercial partners and the collaboration of people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Meet Stacie Turner, Project Strategic Manager, based at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, supporting Gateway’s Deep Space Logistics Project, which is developing a supply chain around the Moon.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month is a dedicated time each year when Americans can become aware and educated on the past and present struggles of African Americans and can understand what the people before them fought for and continue to fight for. It’s a time of rejoicing, celebrating, and thanking those African Americans for giving us hope or a life lesson that could be used. It’s a time when we can be reminded about what it means to be an African American. It isn’t just about all the bad times we’ve been through. Finally, it’s about integrity, leadership, and determination. It’s about showing true character and honoring the sacrifices that my ancestors have made to afford me the opportunities I have.
What are you most excited to share about Gateway’s contribution to human exploration as part of Artemis?
The excitement surrounding NASA’s return to the Moon is contagious. I’m most excited about how building Gateway and returning to the Moon will excite and inspire the Artemis generation. I believe it will be even more exciting than it was for the Apollo generation. The good thing is, I too get to be a part of this history in the making. Everywhere I go, I’m eager and excited to tell kids and adults alike about NASA’s plans to build the Gateway. It’s so fun to watch the faces of children light up and to help answer questions that everyone has. I explain to them that this is an opportunity for all humankind to get involved and engaged with the work NASA is doing to further human exploration.
How has diversity impacted your career?
Being a part of NASA has allowed me to share my unique abilities and experiences, resulting in me confidently contributing to every position I’ve held within the agency. Diversity means bringing together a group of people from different backgrounds. Because of how diverse NASA is, I’ve been able to learn from those I work with and share my perspective in a way that promotes creativity, trust, and openness on my team.
How has your personal background influenced your work in the Gateway program?
I grew up as a little Black girl with a dream of being a successful engineer someday, so I’m very passionate about doing as much as I can to inspire upcoming generations of little Black girls and boys to pursue a STEM education. I hope to help them realize that someday they too can be a part of the Artemis Generation that will take part in continuing our exploration of the Moon and beyond. Growing up I never imagined I’d ever work for NASA, but my interest in math propelled me to pursue an engineering degree, which granted me many career opportunities within NASA, ultimately ending up in the Gateway Program.
To learn more about the Gateway program, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/gateway