Ohio Engineer Who Dreamed Too Big Now Leads Moon Mission

A small-town girl from Shelby, Ohio, who once thought NASA was out of reach is now leading one of the most critical teams preparing humans to return to the Moon.

Katie Oriti manages the Orion European Service Module Integration Office, overseeing the powerhouse component that will keep astronauts safe during NASA's Artemis II mission. She coordinates with the European Space Agency and Airbus to ensure every system is ready for the historic journey.

Her path wasn't straightforward. Oriti studied mechanical engineering with plans to become a doctor, but curiosity led her to apply for roles that sparked her interest instead. That leap brought her to NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland as a contractor, building hardware for extreme temperature testing.

The girl who gazed at dark, star-filled skies wondering if space was for her became a NASA civil servant. She worked as a thermal analyst for Orion before mentors helped her translate technical skills into leadership abilities.

Today, Oriti leads what she calls "the highest functioning team" she's ever worked with. She sets priorities, makes framework decisions, and ensures her team has everything needed to succeed. Every member knows their role inside and out, dedicated to getting this mission right.

When Artemis II launches, Oriti will be in the Launch Control Center at Kennedy Space Center as part of the mission management team. After liftoff, she'll head to Johnson Space Center in Houston to monitor the European Service Module's performance throughout the flight.

Why This Inspires

The moment that excites Oriti most isn't just the launch. It's when crew members fly by the Moon and look out their windows, sharing what they see in real time. Artemis I completed the journey without crew, but Artemis II will carry humans closer to the lunar surface than anyone has been in over 50 years.

What drives Oriti now goes beyond engineering excellence. She takes pride in becoming the role model she once searched for, proving that dreams as big as the Moon can be within reach for kids in small towns everywhere.

The unattainable became attainable, and now she's helping others believe the same is possible for them.