NASA Transitions Long-Time Contractor to Civil Servant to Bolster Technical Expertise

• Kristie Foster, a long-time contractor at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, has been hired as a civil servant to help restore core technical competencies within the agency.
• Foster serves as a quality engineer, focusing on propulsion testing safety and operational processes for missions like Artemis.

Technical Responsibilities

• High Pressure Gas Facility: Manages the creation, storage, and distribution of gases like nitrogen, helium, and hydrogen via a 7-mile pipeline.
• High Pressure Industrial Water Facility: Oversees a 66-million-gallon reservoir used for cooling and sound suppression during rocket testing.
• Thad Cochran Test Stand (B-2): Supports safety and process oversight for Blue Origin’s upcoming hot fire testing of the New Glenn rocket.

Professional Background

• Built her career through a combination of community college coursework and a bachelor's degree in construction management from Mississippi State University.
• Gained early experience via internships with the U.S. Navy at Stennis and subsequent construction project roles.
• Worked as a NASA contractor from 2008 until her recent transition to a civil servant position.

Impact on Artemis

• Provides quality assurance across the design, preparation, and closeout phases of test programs.
• Supports the agency's goal of returning astronauts to the Moon through the Artemis program by emphasizing a mission-first, safety-oriented approach.