A self-proclaimed “hardcore Gator,” Tracy Gill, deputy manager for Lander Ground Operations in NASA’s Human Landing System program at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, is just as passionate about space as he is about the University of Florida. Both passions ignited in him at a young age, and the flame has continued to burn brightly over the years.
In the early 1970s, Gill lived in Gainesville, Florida, with his family while his father attended the University of Florida after returning from Vietnam. In December 1972, at the young age of 4, Gill could not take his eyes off of the TV during NASA’s Apollo 17 Moon landing mission.
“From then on, I had this idea,” Gill said. “I didn’t necessarily want to be an astronaut; I wanted to be a part of putting things and people into space. I felt that’s what I was destined to do.”
Like his father, Gill attended the University of Florida, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in aerospace and mechanical systems. He also earned a master’s in space systems from Florida Tech in Melbourne. To further support his passion for space exploration, he later pursued a Space Studies degree through the International Space University.
Gill started at NASA in 1990, working on space shuttle payloads and what would become the International Space Station, collaborating with people from all over the country – and the world. He later worked as deputy project manager for the Habitat Demonstration Unit, leading a multi-center team in designing and building advanced habitat systems.
Gill supported research and technology development from 2013 to 2016 at Kennedy and served as the center deputy chief technologist. However, as NASA pushed the boundaries of space exploration, it brought Gill back to a familiar place.
“Helping shape the development of new technologies was extremely fulfilling,” Gill said. “But when we started shifting our focus back toward going to the Moon, I raised my hand and said, I want in on that.”
Today, Gill supports Human Landing Systems, Gateway, and Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) commercial partnering efforts for lunar and Mars exploration. As the deputy office chief for the HLS program’s lander ground operations, he provides insight, guidance, and consultation on assembly and manufacturing – all the way to launch site operations.
Gill plays a critical role in Artemis missions, in which NASA, together with commercial and international partners, will establish a long-term presence on the Moon to prepare for missions to Mars.
“Commercial partnerships give us a greater groundswell of support,” Gill said. “I have never been more optimistic about getting back to the Moon than I am now. This is the cusp of seeing the things I dreamed about when I was a kid.”
Check out some of our other I am Artemis features.
Image Credit: NASA