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By NASA
When Ariel Vargas joined NASA in 2023, he knew he wanted to make an impact. Despite his relatively short tenure, he has earned the reputation of a Digital Transformer in his work as a Network and ICAM (Identity, Credential, and Access Management) Service Integrator at Johnson Space Center (JSC). No matter the task at hand, Ariel is motivated by measurable transformation. “I wanted to have my fingerprint on something no matter what it was, big or small. To be able to see an impact,” he says. “And a lot of the things that I’m doing, both within my role and within Digital Transformation, I can see really flourishing already.”
In his current role, Ariel oversees the integration and management of various network services to ensure compliance and smooth operation. This includes the modernization of NASA’s Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to consolidate the agency’s telephone systems and enhance wireless communications. He is involved in rolling out wall-to-wall wireless and coverage improvements on campus at JSC. Ariel also spearheads efforts in streamlining communications across NASA by integrating new capabilities into familiar platforms like Microsoft Teams. With these projects in progress, he aims to foster a more flexible, collaborative work environment aligned with Digital Transformation’s goal of inclusive teaming.
Ariel appreciates the cultural side of Digital Transformation, particularly the challenges involved in pursuing constant innovation. He recognizes that growth “often requires a period of adjustment, especially for those encountering new tools or methods for the first time.” Ariel strives to ensure cohesive collaboration across teams and centers in establishing interoperable architectures, processes, and tools. His team measures the impact of their transformation efforts by several metrics, including increased network performance and adoption rates of new tools and technologies. For instance, the VoIP modernization initiative aims to remove 50% of telephones at NASA centers. Of the over 1300 users affected by the NASA-wide service shut-off of non-compliant phones at JSC, only 6% reported issues post-implementation. This reflected a positive and proactive collaboration with users on finding alternative solutions and embracing future innovations.
I really believe in embracing changes and innovation and driving impactful results, being able to see it.
Ariel Vargas
Network and ICAM (Identity, Credential, and Access Management) Service Integrator at Johnson Space Center (JSC)
Lynn Vernon, JSC’s Digital Transformation lead and Chief Engineer for IT, notes Ariel’s ability to engage with partners, understand their mission needs, and identify innovative solutions to barriers. “Ariel looks at things from a new perspective and is willing to ask ‘why’ or ‘why not.’ Why do we do it this way? Why not try this? He is consistently willing to explore new technologies and capabilities to transform the way we work,” says Lynn. Ariel’s passion for continuous improvement and learning positions him as a natural leader within the Digital Transformation community.
Ariel took a unique path to NASA and sees his prior experiences as building blocks toward becoming the Digital Transformer he is today. Although his upbringing in Florida near Cape Canaveral sparked an early interest in space, Ariel initially pursued pre-medicine after high school before transitioning into the Army. After his service, he joined NASA as an intern through the Department of Defense’s SkillBridge program, which offers career assistance to transitioning military personnel. His ability to learn NASA’s culture and demonstrate mission value quickly led to a full-time, civil servant position.
Between his initial interest in medicine, his service in the Army, and his current focus on digital transformation and technology, Ariel sees a common theme of problem-solving. “You have to figure out what the problem is, and you have to be up to date with the newest, the latest and greatest, to help solve these problems.” Ariel followed this thread to complete a master’s degree in computer science and is currently pursuing a doctorate in instructional design and performance technology. Even outside his work at NASA, Ariel pursues pathways that further his capacity as a champion of Digital Transformation initiatives.
Looking to the future, Ariel is excited by the possibility of supporting NASA’s space missions through AI and data integration. He is motivated by the prospect of seeing his current work make a difference in the near-term future. “I really believe in embracing changes and innovation and driving impactful results, being able to see it,” he says. Given his accomplishments of the past year, Ariel is well on his way to realizing the future he envisions.
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By NASA
1 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)
Shauntina Lilly, a NASA Glenn public affairs officer, speaks to students about NASA’s available internships and educational resources during the STEM Goes Red for Girls event at Great Lakes Science Center, home of the NASA Glenn Visitor Center, on Oct. 21.Credit: NASA/Debbie Welch NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland supported this year’s STEM Goes Red for Girls event at Great Lakes Science Center on Oct. 21. The program provides seventh and eighth grade students exposure to some of Greater Cleveland’s leading STEM companies. The event also featured a hands-on exhibitor fair, speed mentoring, and educational classes.
Hosted by the American Heart Association, this year’s event welcomed its largest audience to date with 352 students and educators from 32 schools within Northeast Ohio. NASA Glenn’s presence focused heavily on internships and career advice, but also highlighted the center’s work with the Space Communications and Navigation program’s Deep Space Network. Glenn’s Julie Sufka also served as a mentor, speaking to young girls about STEM opportunities in mathematics.
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By NASA
(Oct. 25, 2024) — NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Commander Suni Williams is pictured at the galley inside the International Space Station’s Unity module at the beginning of her day.Credit: NASA Students from Colorado will have the opportunity to hear NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Suni Williams answer their prerecorded questions aboard the International Space Station on Thursday, Nov. 14.
Watch the 20-minute space-to-Earth call at 1 p.m. EST on NASA+. Learn how to watch NASA content on various platforms, including social media.
The JEKL Institute for Global Equity and Access, in partnership with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, will host students from the Denver School of Science and Technology for the event. Students are building CubeSat emulators to launch on high-altitude balloons, and their work will drive their questions with crew.
Media interested in covering the event must RSVP by 5 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 13, to Daniela Di Napoli at: daniela.dinapoli@scienceandtech.org or 832-656-5231.
For more than 24 years, astronauts have continuously lived and worked aboard the space station, testing technologies, performing science, and developing skills needed to explore farther from Earth. Astronauts aboard the orbiting laboratory communicate with NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston 24 hours a day through SCaN’s (Space Communications and Navigation) Near Space Network.
Important research and technology investigations taking place aboard the space station benefit people on Earth and lays the groundwork for other agency missions. As part of NASA’s Artemis campaign, the agency will send astronauts to the Moon to prepare for future human exploration of Mars; inspiring Artemis Generation explorers and ensuring the United States continues to lead in space exploration and discovery.
See videos and lesson plans highlighting space station research at:
https://www.nasa.gov/stemonstation
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Tiernan Doyle
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
tiernan.doyle@nasa.gov
Sandra Jones
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
sandra.p.jones@nasa.gov
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Last Updated Nov 12, 2024 EditorTiernan P. DoyleLocationNASA Headquarters Related Terms
International Space Station (ISS) Astronauts Communicating and Navigating with Missions Humans in Space ISS Research Johnson Space Center Near Space Network Space Communications & Navigation Program Sunita L. Williams View the full article
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By NASA
Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center provides an update on Exploration Park on Feb. 15, 2022, at the ASCENDxTexas conference at South Shore Harbor Resort and Conference Center. Credit: NASA / Josh Valcarcel Nov. 12, 2024
Director Vanessa Wyche of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston will join Texas A&M University leaders and guests Friday, Nov. 15, to break ground for the new Texas A&M University Space Institute.
U.S. media interested in participating in person must contact the NASA Johnson newsroom no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, by calling 281-483-5111 or emailing: jsccommu@mail.nasa.gov. NASA’s media accreditation policy is available online.
The groundbreaking is planned for 10 a.m. CST Nov. 15, at Johnson Space Center’s Exploration Park. Additional participants will include:
Greg Bonnen, Texas House of Representatives, chairman of House Appropriations Committee William Mahomes, Jr., Board of Regents chairman, Texas A&M University System John Sharp, chancellor Texas A&M University System General (Ret.) Mark Welsh III, president, Texas A&M University Robert H. Bishop, vice chancellor and dean, Texas A&M Engineering Nancy Currie-Gregg, director, Texas A&M University Space Institute Robert Ambrose, associate director for space and robotics initiatives, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station The institute, funded through a $200 million initial investment from the State of Texas, will support research for civilian, defense and commercial space missions as part of NASA Johnson’s Exploration Park. Key features will include the world’s largest indoor simulation spaces for lunar and Mars surface operations, state-of-the-art high-bay laboratories, and multifunctional project rooms.
The Texas A&M Space Institute is set to open in Summer 2026.
NASA is leasing the 240-acre Exploration Park to create facilities that enable a collaborative development environment, increase commercial access, and enhance the United States’ commercial competitiveness in the space and aerospace industries.
To learn more about NASA Johnson and the Texas A&M University Space Institute, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/nasas-johnson-space-center-hosts-exploration-park
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Kelly Humphries
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
kelly.o.humphries@nasa.gov
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By NASA
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Pictured left to right, Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, NASA astronauts Michael Barratt, Matthew Dominick, and Jeanette Epps.Credit: SpaceX After spending 235 days in space, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 astronauts will discuss their science mission aboard the International Space Station during a post-flight news conference at 3:15 p.m. EST Friday, Nov. 8, from the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
NASA astronauts Michael Barratt, Matthew Dominick, and Jeanette Epps will answer questions about their mission. The three crew members, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, returned to Earth on Oct. 25. Grebenkin will not participate because of his travel schedule.
NASA will provide live coverage on NASA+ and the agency’s website. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of additional platforms, including social media.
Media are invited to attend in-person or virtually. For in-person attendance, media must contact the NASA Johnson newsroom no later than 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 at: jsccommu@mail.nasa.gov or 281-483-5111. Media participating by phone must dial into the news conference no later than 10 minutes prior to the start of the event to ask questions. Questions also may be submitted on social media using #AskNASA. A copy of NASA’s media accreditation policy is available on the agency’s website.
The crew spent more than seven months in space, including 232 days aboard the orbiting laboratory, traveling nearly 100 million miles, and completing 3,760 orbits around Earth. While living and working aboard station, the crew completed hundreds of science experiments and technology demonstrations.
Get the latest NASA space station news, images, and features on Instagram, Facebook, and X.
Learn more about NASA’s Commercial Crew Program at:
https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew
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Jimi Russell / Claire O’Shea
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
james.j.russell@nasa.gov / claire.a.o’shea@nasa.gov
Raegan Scharfetter
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-910-4989
raegan.r.scharfetter@nasa.gov
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Last Updated Nov 01, 2024 LocationNASA Headquarters Related Terms
Commercial Crew Astronauts Humans in Space International Space Station (ISS) ISS Research Jeanette J. Epps Johnson Space Center Matthew Dominick Michael R. Barratt View the full article
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