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Lagniappe for December 2024

Test control center crews at NASA’s Stennis Space Center’s simulate full operations of core stage testing
Explore the December 2024 issue, highlighting the Clean Energy Project, Powering Space Dreams, and more!
Credits: NASA/Stennis

Explore Lagniappe for December 2024 featuring:

  • NASA Stennis Secures Grant for Clean Energy Project
  • Powering Space Dreams
  • NASA Builds Bridges at Bayou Classic

Gator Speaks

Gator, a fictional character, is shown on a golden background inside Lagniappe for December 2024
Gator Speaks
NASA/Stennis

Do you have time for a quick story?

Recently, your ol‘ friend Gator had the chance to help his family move.

This move was not the same as going to the Moon or Mars like NASA’s planned Artemis adventure, but it felt similar.

The move brought friends, family, and even some neighbors together to help. Each person took on a role in an organized way to help make it happen.

Some packed, others cleaned, and all contributed in some way, with each person bringing his or her special touch to the project.

We were not just working hard. We were making the most of it.

It became more than work. It turned into a celebration of friends and family coming together to make something good happen. There was something truly rewarding about seeing everyone pitch in to make it a success.

While this move will not take us to the Moon like the Artemis campaign, it is hard not to see similarities. When NASA returns to the Moon for scientific discovery, technology advancement, and to learn how to live and work on another world while preparing for human missions to Mars, it will be a success for all of us to share in.

Through Artemis, NASA is bringing together commercial and international partners to establish the first long-term presence on the Moon. Here at NASA Stennis, many are working hard to help prepare the agency for future Artemis missions, testing needed rocket engines and systems.

Going back to the Moon has become more than work, though. It is inspiring a new generation of explorers – the Artemis Generation.

Every person is playing a role. It is bringing together friends, family, and neighbors to help. All are contributing, with each person bringing a special touch to the mission.

It is a celebration of each step forward, each rocket launched, each mission accomplishment. Each milestone reminds us all – “Wow, we really did that. We are a part of something great.”

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NASA Stennis Top News

NASA Stennis Secures Grant for Clean Energy Project

NASA’s Stennis Space Center has been awarded a highly competitive U.S. Department of Energy grant to transform its main administration building into a facility that produces as much renewable energy as it uses.

Powering Space Dreams

As the nation’s largest multiuser propulsion test site, NASA Stennis supports and helps power both national and commercial space efforts and missions.

NASA Builds Bridges at Bayou Classic

NASA was on full display during the 51st Annual Bayou Classic Fan Fest activity on Nov. 30, hosting an informational booth and interacting with event participants.

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Center Activities

Outreach Event Promotes Doing Business with NASA

College Students Visit NASA Stennis

NASA Stennis Hosts Voluntary Protection Program Council Meeting

NASA Stennis Director Hosts Java with John

a small group of NASA Stennis employees meet with NASA Stennis Director John Bailey
NASA Stennis Director John Bailey hosted the latest Java with John session on Nov. 19 with employees from the NASA Stennis Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate, NASA Stennis Office of the Chief Information Officer, and NASA Rocket Propulsion Test Program Office. Java with John is an employee-led discussion in a casual environment aimed at fostering a culture in which employees are welcome to share what matters most to them at work.
NASA/Danny Nowlin

NASA Stennis Leaders Host U.S. Marine Personnel

NASA Stennis senior leaders hosted U.S. Marine Corps Reserve representatives during the group’s visit to the center
NASA Stennis senior leaders hosted U.S. Marine Corps Reserve representatives during the group’s visit to the center Nov. 1. The Marine Corps personnel were onsite to tour Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School operations and facilities located at NASA Stennis and continue planning for future small boat training and education opportunities. Marine Corps representatives and NASA Stennis leaders participating in the meet-and-greet session included: (front row, left to right) Master Gunnery Sgt. Paul Guidry, Maj. Patrick Murphy, NASA Stennis Director John Bailey, Brig. Gen. Kevin Jarrard, Lt. Col. Justin Davis, Sgt. Maj. Timothy Peterson, and Capt. Bryson Curtin. (Back row, left to right) Gerry Ormerod, NASA Stennis Deputy Director Christine Powell, and NASA Stennis Associate Director Rodney McKellip. Jarrard is the commanding general of the 4th Marine Division, with headquarters in New Orleans. Murphy is the capabilities officer of the 4th Marine Division. The other Marine participants are from the 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion in Tampa, Florida. Ormerod is deputy director for requirements and capability development with the U.S. Marine Forces Reserve.
NASA/Stennis

U.S. Navy Officials Visit with NASA Stennis Leaders

U.S. Navy officials visited with NASA Stennis leaders Nov. 13 for a meet-and-greet opportunity
U.S. Navy officials visited with NASA Stennis leaders Nov. 13 for a meet-and-greet opportunity, also receiving an overview briefing about the work and operations of south Mississippi site. Participants in the gathering included (left to right): Anita Harrell, executive director of the NASA Shared Services Center; Joe Schuyler, director of the NASA Stennis Engineering and Test Directorate; Herschel Mims, a management support specialist with the Naval Oceanography Operations Command; Rodney McKellip, NASA Stennis associate director; Francis Prikasky, an electronics engineer and information technology administrator with the Naval Oceanographic Office; Robert Gavagnie, a contract specialist with the Naval Oceanographic Office; James “Brett” English, information systems security manager with the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command; Dr. Brooke Jones, head of the Ocean Forecasting Division for the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center; Maxwell Williamson, a physical scientists with the Naval Oceanographic Office; Dr. Benjamin Phrampus, a research geophysicist with the Naval Research Laboratory; Gary Benton, director of the NASA Stennis Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate; Thom Rich, associate director of the NASA Stennis Center Operations Directorate; Ken Newton, director of service delivery for the NASA Shared Services Center; and Eli Ouder, director of the NASA Stennis/NASA Shared Services Center Office of Procurement
NASA/Danny Nowlin

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NASA in the News

Employee Profile: Jeff Renshaw

jeff-renshaw.jpg?w=2048
Jeff Renshaw is the lead attorney for procurement law in the Office of the General Counsel for NASA’s Stennis Space Center and the NASA Shared Services Center.
NASA/Danny Nowlin

NASA attorney Jeff Renshaw’s work has primarily revolved around two things: serving others and solving problems.

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Additional Resources

Subscription Info

Lagniappe is published monthly by the Office of Communications at NASA’s Stennis Space Center. The NASA Stennis office may be contacted by at 228-688-3333 (phone); ssc-office-of-communications@mail.nasa.gov (email); or NASA OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS, Attn: LAGNIAPPE, Mail code IA00, Building 1111 Room 173, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 (mail).

The Lagniappe staff includes: Managing Editor Lacy Thompson, Editor Bo Black, and photographer Danny Nowlin.

To subscribe to the monthly publication, please email the following to ssc-office-of-communications@mail.nasa.gov – name, location (city/state), email address.

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