Quick Takeaways
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Inspiration and Dreams: Growing up in rural Ohio, Katie Oriti dreamt of working for NASA, initially feeling it was unattainable, but her passion for space drove her toward a career in aerospace engineering.
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Career Path Shift: After initially aiming for medical school, Oriti pursued mechanical engineering and found her calling at NASA’s Glenn Research Center, transitioning into a civil servant role as a thermal analyst for the Orion spacecraft.
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Leadership and Collaboration: As the manager of the Orion European Service Module Integration Office, Oriti emphasizes the importance of mentorship and teamwork, leading a high-performing team focused on supporting the Artemis II mission.
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Role Model for Future Generations: Oriti is passionate about inspiring the next generation, committing to be a role model and demonstrating that ambitious dreams, such as aiming for the Moon, are achievable.
Breaking Barriers at NASA: Katie Oriti’s Journey
Katie Oriti grew up in Shelby, Ohio, surrounded by vast, starry skies. From her small-town roots, she dreamed of one day working at NASA. However, she believed that dream was out of reach.
Initially, Oriti aimed to become a doctor. She studied mechanical engineering and minored in biomedical engineering, hoping to attend medical school. Yet, as graduation approached, she realized her true passion lay elsewhere. She decided to explore opportunities that excited her.
This choice led her to NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. There, she began as a contractor, focusing on cryogenic testing. Suddenly, her childhood dream felt tangible. Oriti transitioned to a civil servant role, becoming a thermal analyst for Orion, the spacecraft designed for NASA’s Artemis campaign.
Throughout her journey, mentors guided her. They helped her translate technical skills into leadership capabilities. Today, Oriti manages the integration of the European Service Module, a vital component of Orion. She collaborates with the European Space Agency (ESA) and Airbus to ensure the module is prepared for the upcoming Artemis II mission around the Moon.
“I feel very privileged every day to lead this team,” Oriti shared. Her enthusiasm is evident. She considers her team the best, filled with dedicated individuals committed to the mission.
Oriti eagerly anticipates the Artemis II launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. As part of the mission management team, she will provide crucial expertise for the European Service Module. After the launch, she will move to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston to support mission control, overseeing the module’s performance.
While Oriti looks forward to the excitement of launch day, she finds greater inspiration in the mission’s potential impact on future generations. She aims to be a role model for aspiring scientists and engineers, demonstrating that dreams of reaching the Moon are achievable.
Oriti’s journey highlights the importance of perseverance and mentorship in shaping careers in technology and space exploration. Through her leadership, she not only advances scientific goals but also inspires countless others to reach for the stars.
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