RocketStars: Lou Mangieri

Throughout our countdown today, we are highlighting key individuals who are working this Delta IV Heavy rocket launch for the National Reconnaissance Office.

Next up is Lou Mangieri, the United Launch Alliance launch director for NROL-71. He oversees the readiness of the launch vehicle to perform the mission.

“The LD is responsible to ensure the launch vehicle, spacecraft and range assets all support the T-0. He does this working with the launch conductor (launch vehicle), range coordinator (range assets) and the mission director (spacecraft),” he says.

Mangieri was born in Jersey City, New Jersey and received a bachelor of science in aeronautical engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a master’s in space technology from Florida Institute of Technology.

“I began working for General Dynamics right out of college at Complex 36 on the Atlas program. General Dynamics brought me out for an interview during the launch of AC-56/Intelsat 501. After the launch, I told them I would accept any offer they would present. I was hooked!”

That launch in 1981 set Mangieri on a path as he rose through the ranks and obtained the role of launch director. He has served in this critical position for 44 missions.

”My first mission as LD was on Intelsat 14 on Nov. 23, 2009. It was an Atlas V 431 configuration. Since then I have sat as LD on 29 Atlas V and 15 Delta IV missions for a total of 44 missions.”

”The most rewarding aspect of being the Launch Director is knowing that I am a small part of a very dedicated and talented launch team working together to ensure we safely deliver our customer’s spacecraft on orbit.”

RocketStars: Dillon Rice

Throughout our countdown today, we are highlighting key individuals who are working this Delta IV Heavy rocket launch for the National Reconnaissance Office.

Next up is Dillon Rice, the United Launch Alliance launch conductor for NROL-71. The launch conductor orchestrates the countdown procedures from the Remote Launch Control Center, located about 11 miles from the pad.

” The launch conductor directs and manages all of the integrated countdown activities on launch day. The LC releases the final hold at T-4 minutes and has the capability to manually stop the countdown if a problem arises,” he says.

” I became a launch conductor in 2015 and worked as the assistant LC for multiple missions (approximately a dozen) before being the prime LC for a mission. L-71 is my fifth mission as a launch conductor.”

Rice was born in Jacksonville and grew up in the small town of Callahan, Florida. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in electrical engineering from the University of North Florida and a Master’s Degree in systems engineering from the University of Denver.

”I really enjoy working on cars, but Iately my techie side has me tinkering with home automation stuff.”

His aerospace career began with Boeing in 1999 as an engineer working on the construction of Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 37 for the Delta IV program.

”My first responsibilities involved the installation and checkout of the communications infrastructure. I worked as a comm engineer, a flight operations integrator and a Range coordinator prior to becoming a launch conductor.”

Coming up at L-7 minutes, you will hear Rice on the webcast perform the final pre-launch readiness poll.

”Our customer continues to entrust us with launching the nation’s most precious space-based assets and capabilities, and I remind myself of that constantly. It’s a big deal. I am honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead the launch team through the countdown that lofts these assets to space, and I am very proud of my small contribution to keeping our war-fighters safe and supporting the cause of peace and freedom around the world.”

RocketStars: John Myers

Throughout our countdown today, we are highlighting key individuals who are working this Delta IV Heavy rocket launch for the National Reconnaissance Office.

Next up is John Myers, the United Launch Alliance anomaly chief for NROL-71. This is position in the launch control room that directs engineering teams who resolve technical issues that arise in the countdown.

”The primary responsibility of the AC is to lead the various technical team members towards a productive solution for any technical or operational engineering issue that surfaces during the launch count. Good communication and an established process are really the keys. That said, we always hope for no issues, so the only thing I actually have to say during the count is ‘Ready’ and ‘Go,’” he said.

Myers grew up outside Chicago and attended Northwestern University to major in chemical engineering. He obtained a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering while working here at Vandenberg. His hobbies include playing tennis and racquetball, watching pro hockey, playing cards and brewing beer.

”I got my start in aerospace when I caught a lucky break in 1983, and got a job at Vandenberg to work on what was then planned to be the west coast space shuttle launch site, SLC-6. That obviously didn’t work out as planned for the space shuttle, but it worked out great for me. Starting with that first position, I have had the good fortune to help build, activate and work on multiple launch pads that have launched many different launch vehicles, ranging from Titan 34D to Delta II to Atlas V to Delta IV Heavy."

Myers become the anomaly chief for West Coast launches not long after United Launch Alliance was formed in 2006.

”As is the case for all of our console positions, I trained under more experienced mentors (also Launch Ops chief engineers) until I was ready to go solo. I have supported approximately 25 launches in this role, either as primary or backup AC.”

Asked what preparation goes into getting ready to be the anomaly chief on launch day, Myers noted that each mission and vehicle have some common characteristics, as well as some unique aspects.

”I work closely with the Launch Ops team and Denver Vehicle Systems Engineer to ensure all open technical issues encountered during mission processing are either closed or very well understood from a risk standpoint. We always try to enter the launch count with minimal risk, or have a plan to mitigate any risk that surfaces, and there is a specific process we all follow to do that. We also practice our anomaly resolution process during Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR), Mission Dress Rehearsal (MDR) and other rehearsal exercises. Knowing that we have a well-prepared and experienced launch team makes the job that much easier on day of launch.”

Today’s launch will be Myers’ final one before retirement from ULA.

“I learned so many interesting aspects of this business, working on payloads, launch vehicles and ground systems. Getting exposure to all the engineering disciplines has really afforded me the opportunity to have a much more system-oriented view of what we do, so I have definitely enjoyed that.

”Some of my favorite memories include the recently retired Delta II, particularly when we launched one mission every month for a year at SLC-2 during the Iridium campaign in the late 90’s. Having the opportunity to help build and activate SLC-6 (twice), and then launch the first West Coast Delta IV Medium, and then to be able to do it again for the first West Coast Delta IV Heavy – that will always be something special to me. I’m really pleased that my last launch here will be supporting one of our most important customers with this great launch vehicle, and with the great launch team we have at ULA. I will always remember it.

”Finally, in looking back at my 35 years at Vandenberg, I can say it’s been an a real honor to work with so many dedicated professionals that come to work each day for much more than a paycheck. That is not always so easy to find in such a difficult and unforgiving business, one that requires so much dedication and so little room for error.”

RocketStars: Shannon Curtis

Throughout our countdown today, we will be highlighting key individuals who are working this Delta IV Heavy rocket launch for the National Reconnaissance Office.

First up is Shannon Curtis, the United Launch Alliance stand engineer at Space Launch Complex 6 for NROL-71. The stand engineer is the launch control room’s main point person at the launch pad to direct the execution of steps and procedures during the early hours of the countdown.

"The stand engineer’s primary responsibilities include securing the pad before launch," she said. "They also act as the communication link between the launch conductor and what is happening on the pad. This means providing updates from the start of MST roll all the way to final pad clear."

Curtis was born and raised in Littleton, Colorado and went to college at the Milwaukee School of Engineering where she pursued a degree in industrial engineering and pitched for the school’s softball team. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, hiking, kayaking and golf.

"I started at ULA as an intern in the Delta IV mechanical engineering group. After graduating from college in May 2017, I hired on as a systems test engineer in the same group I interned in. I have had the opportunity over the past year and a half to work on all five ULA launch pads, doing a variety of work on Delta and Atlas vehicles."

Besides working countdowns, Curtis is involved in critical operations to prepare the rockets for flight.

"I take part in different lift and mate operations for the Delta IV vehicles. I lead technicians in installing flight hardware on all parts of the rocket," she said.

Later today, she will verify the completion of hands-on work at the launch pad and receive the instruction from the launch conductor for all personnel to clear the complex.

"When you're the stand engineer, you, safety and security are the last people to leave. We complete a final count to ensure everyone has left and then we flip the lights to flashing red. I head for the fall back area and watch the launch from SLC-3 at Vandenberg. I am about as close to the launch as it is safe to be," she said.

"Launch day is always the most exciting day. We spend months processing the vehicle and it’s all gone in a couple minutes. It's rewarding being one of the last people to see it in person and up close. I like knowing that I took part in readying the vehicle for its departure."