NASA’s Theodore “Theo” Christian, who works at Johnson Space Center in Houston, spoke with college students at Richland’s Red River Hall in a speaker series by the Student Leadership Institute and Space Club.
He shared his family background, academic journey and career. “My Co-op journey at school before NASA really shaped me. You must sacrifice who you are now for who you want to become. Holding onto comfort in school can hold you back. For me, helping others become better was key. I hosted study sessions and tutored students, which helped me develop my skills. My goal was to become a better engineer,” he said.
Christian emphasized reading books outside class to learn skills for post-school success.
Christian said, “My participation in research projects really prepared other students and me for the tough environments of learning and the rigors of science in developing skills to find solutions.”
Christian discussed the history of human spaceflight, NASA, the Apollo missions and the space shuttles involved in building the International Space Station.
“I wish to pay respects to those who sacrificed their lives for space exploration, which shaped our culture, risk posture and how we conduct business, learning from past mistakes,” he said.
Christian shared his experiences working with ISS flight control and NASA’s Artemis II mission, highlighting how NASA built a global team as he prepares for mission control.
At press time, Artemis was scheduled to launch April 1 at 5:24 p.m. marking the first crewed moon mission since 1972.
Christian said, “The moon has a surface area similar to Africa, and we plan to land at the South Pole. NASA hopes to find and measure ice for use, likely in nearby craters, to produce rocket fuel by splitting hydrogen and oxygen. All aim to establish a sustainable moon base that one day supports life, which is the focus of the Artemis program. Of course, this is many, many years in the making.”
Christian discussed his previous experience working with the Artemis II crew members and highlighted the importance of all responsible teams for a successful launch, which is vital for flight safety.
Christian said, “Artemis IV is the mission we look forward to, possibly by SpaceX or Blue Origin, and he noted that astronauts will use an elevator to step onto the moon due to its large spacecraft.”
Christian shares a message with students, “Don’t be afraid to try.
“Many give up before trying, but I never thought I’d be where I am today. I just kept working, believing in myself and applying.
“I failed many times in many different ways, but those who succeeded kept trying.”
