Enrique Moeller receives Stellar Award for ‘outstanding achievements in space’

Each year, the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation recognizes outstanding achievements in space. Nominees for the Stellar Awards are reviewed by a panel of distinguished scientists, engineers, managers, and academicians who select winners based on whose accomplishments hold the greatest promise for furthering future activities in space.

This year, Barrios’ Enrique ‘Moe’ Moeller received a Stellar Award in the Late Career Category for ‘outstanding contributions critical to the quality, safety and performance of the Commercial Crew Program, and preparation of aerial delivery platforms for both the Orion and Commercial Crew Program’. His job as Test Operations Manager for the Commercial Crew Program Airdrop Testing (CCPAT) project involves leading a team of 5-7 personnel that supports parachute testing for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Each test is comprised of test vehicle buildup activities, test execution, drop zone recovery, and post-test data download and inspection. The critical data collected is used to qualify the parachute model needed for human space flight approval. In the last five years, he has been primarily focused on the Boeing CST‑100 Starliner parachute system.

Chris Tutt, Project Development Group Manager at Jacobs, who nominated Moe describes him as “one of the unsung heroes of parachute testing for both the Orion and Commercial Crew programs. He came to JSC in 2011 after a 21-year career in the Air Force, where he became a senior test director and airdrop loadmaster. His experience there made him not only an outstanding test director but also an outstanding instructor and team leader for parachute testing operations.

Once at JSC, he became the test director for the Capsule Parachute Assembly System (CPAS) project within the Orion Program. Moe’s familiarity with both NASA and Air Force processes made him the perfect person to develop the initial test plans and procedures. Once written, he then closely oversaw the entire process to make sure that the team executed all elements properly. Because of his attention to detail and focus on team excellence, the project executed 12 straight successful tests. After completion of the CPAS program, Moe was asked to restart parachute testing for the Boeing StarLiner Capsule under the Commercial Crew Parachute Airdrop Testing (CCPAT) project.

Moe’s contributions over the last decade have been critical to the success of the quality, safety, and performance of the Commercial Crew Program. Moe’s meticulous preparations in the buildup of each vehicle have been recognized multiple times by the customer as key to the program’s success. Moe has far exceeded expectations in the preparation of aerial delivery platforms for both the Orion and Commercial Crew Programs”.

According to Moe, the spacecraft parachute systems used for re-entry is one of many critical safety components needed to get our astronauts back home safely. “Through actual live airdrop testing, the team has been able to evaluate and collect real time data on parachute performance, which is used to qualify the parachute model needed for human space flight approval for both the Orion and Boeing Starliner programs.

“My expertise in aerial delivery operations and platform rigging, allows the project to execute complicated airdrop tests, which entail dropping the test vehicle with parachutes from an aircraft from high‑altitudes. I have successfully supported 25 tests for the qualification of the Orion parachute system and over 15 tests for the Boeing Starliner. All tests were successful, as they met specific test objectives and had minimal damage for a quick turnaround for the next round of testing.

And how does he feel about being nominated for and receiving the Stellar Award? “I feel very privileged and honored to have received this award. I work with a very impressive team, without whom I would not be able to do what I do. This award is a testament to all the man hours and months spent away from home to ensure these tests are successful for NASA,” says Moe.

Congratulations Moe for dedicating your efforts to achieving the mission of our customers and delivering superior performance.