GW Engineering alumni are leaders in their fields, regularly sought out by the media to provide industry-based insight on national issues and global challenges. Andre Douglas, Ph.D. ‘21, recently chosen as a backup crew member for NASA’s Artemis II, has garnered media attention for his involvement in this flight as they perform moonwalk simulations to prepare for lunar liftoff. Below is a summary of recent coverage of Douglas.
Space.com featured an interview with Douglas, “We’re pushing the limits:’ Artemis 2 backup astronaut on 2025 round-the-moon mission (exclusive),” in which he discusses how complex spaceflight is because the technology is always being improved based on past operations.
Here is an excerpt from the article: “Pointing to delays that often arise in developmental missions, he added: “We’re pushing the limits of what we know, and our talent. It is never, never that simple. So I think things are always being developed.”
Read the full article on Space.com.
In a second interview “‘That was a really wild experience’: How brand-new NASA astronaut Andre Douglas joined Artemis 2 moon mission (exclusive),” Douglas talked to Space.com about his experience joining the Artemis crew just weeks after being certified for spaceflight assignments.
Here is an excerpt from the article: “As I’m going through the job, now I understand [why I was selected]. It’s more than just flying. There’s a lot of development. With my background, with the degrees and with the experience that APL [gave me] with being an operator, and the Coast Guard, all of that comes into play. And that’s a really nice sweet spot for me to be able to contribute right our of the gate,” said Douglas.
Read the full article on Space.com.
In the news segment “NASA astronauts simulate Artemis moonwalks in Flagstaff,” CBS News covered the Artemis crew preparing for lunar liftoff by testing technology and simulating moonwalks, highlighting astronauts Kate Rubins and Andre Douglas as the soon-to-be the first woman and person of color to walk on the moon.
Here is an excerpt from the article: “You do what you love that’s the core of it and do well in it you share your goals with people and they’ll help you get there,” Douglas shared.
Read the full article on CBS News, KYMA/KECY.