Chris Vodney awarded 2024 RNASA Early Career Stellar Award

We are proud to announce that Chris Vodney, Structural Loads and Dynamics Engineer on JETS II, is a 2024 recipient of the RNASA Early Career Stellar Award for ‘continuous improvements in standardizing analysis processes for the in-space loads and dynamics team for the Gateway and Human Lander system to Orion’. This involved standardizing and streamlining the Python codebase for the Gateway and Human Lander system analyses.

In his role, which supports the NASA Johnson Space Center Structural Engineering Division Loads and Dynamics Branch, Chris has become the go to person for the engineers with technical problems related to the analysis conducted. He is a high performing engineer whose initiative has helped the overall team to become better organized and efficient, implementing traceability for the work that is done.

These improvements have saved the team about 500 hours a year in script updates, debugging and review by creating a standard library that improves collaboration and the analyst’s flexibility to run different events. Chris has been pivotal in standardizing the analysis process for the NASA Johnson Space Center In-space loads and dynamics team.

Through 2022/23, Chris trained many of the new and recently hired engineers on coding in Python and running the analysis tools, and fully transitioned the team to run analyses using a single codebase without disruption to the analysis cycles.

Chris has been pivotal in standardizing the analysis process for the NASA Johnson Space Center In-space loads and dynamics team. The in-space loads and dynamics team is responsible for defining the in-space loading of the Gateway and Human Lander System to Orion, which is required to determine the structural strength of all hardware. His vision for a common library to run multiple analyses has reduced the number of hours spent reviewing individual codes and reduced the number of errors. With a common library, he has improved the flexibility of the team by making it easier to switch between different required analyses.

He has also taken on the lead loads and dynamics role for the Commercial Crew Program (CCP) work in his section. The loads and dynamics team supports the Commercial Crew Program by reviewing vendor data and conducting independent analysis to verify loading conditions, including the complex loading of landing in water or on land.

Described as “thorough in the performance of his duties” and “an emerging future leader in our nation’s endeavors in deep space through his vision and dedication to the mission”, Chris’ impact on the nation’s crewed spaceflight program through his support of the load and dynamics team is indisputable.

“It’s a confidence boost that my work can make a noticeable difference in the bigger picture, and that it’s worth taking time to be thorough and reform existing processes. Many thanks to my section manager, Erica Bruno, for the nomination,” says Chris.