Q&A with Gateway: Meet Molly Anderson, Systems Lead for the Gateway Vehicle Systems Integration Office

Together with the Space Launch System and Orion, the Gateway is central to advancing and sustaining human space exploration goals. Gateway will support missions to the Moon and serve as a test bed for technologies needed for Mars missions. The program is developing an effective habitation and utilization capability comprised of pressurized volumes with integrated habitation systems and components, docking ports, environmental control and life support systems, avionics and control systems, radiation mitigation and monitoring, fire safety systems, autonomous capabilities, utilization, and crew health capabilities, including exercise equipment. All of these systems and subsystems will help NASA prove the knowledge needed for missions deeper into space.

Based at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Molly Anderson works with her to team to manage all of Gateway’s hardware and software systems.

Let’s learn more about her, below!

What is your role in the Gateway program?
I am the systems lead for the Gateway Vehicle Systems Integration Office.

What are your primary responsibilities?
I am responsible for the Gateway vehicle hardware and software systems. I help manage our Gateway risks, solve integration problems, and lead the team of system managers who own each hardware and software system.

What are you excited to share about Gateway and what it will do for human exploration as part of the Artemis program?
Whether you are working on spaceflight operations, watching how politics impacts government agencies, or just surviving 2020 — I think we have all learned and relearned the importance of being prepared for the unexpected. I think one of the most important things about Gateway for the Artemis program is its flexibility. Right now we are very focused on how Gateway will be an integration point for all the elements of an Artemis lunar mission, but we are also uniquely able to perform research about surviving the deep space radiation environment and make it possible to deliver and outfit future Mars transit missions. I can see us being able to pivot and support missions that need an outpost to organize and deliver logistics or create a safe harbor during assembly.

How has your own personal background influenced your work for the Gateway program?
I have spent a lot of time in technology development projects, which is a different background from my colleagues, who are coming from programs like space station and Orion. I think that I try to stay aware of how we can leave the door open to future upgrades, or how we can adapt to new technologies while being honest with the people proposing new development about the realities of a lean program and what is actually going to be valuable to us.

Being surrounded by such a high-performing group of people, what’s a great piece of advice you’ve learned?
Before Gateway, I spent many years working in the same community, and was comfortable because I felt like I knew everyone well. Many of the people I work for and with were new to me, and I was overstressing about getting it all right in a new job. I think one of the most important things I learned was to be able to relax and trust our management and leadership team. I have a great leadership team, and they are always listening and navigating budget, schedule, people, and politics. Learning to give them the data and making sure it is understood, and watching what they do with it and how they make progress on tough issues, has been very educational.  

In line with JSC’s DARE | UNITE | EXPLORE, how do you see yourself fitting into the vision?
I think one of the most important things we can do as a program is unite. We have to have multiple centers and multiple vendors working together as a unified team, and we have to truly listen to all our teammates to understand our risks and integrate our systems.

Now, more about you. Where did you grow up?
Virginia Beach, Virginia.

How long have you been at JSC?
It will be 20 years in 2021 — as a mix of support contractor and civil servant.

Describe yourself in five words:
Earnest, hopeful, adventurous, geeky, and foodie.

Favorite thing(s) to do to unwind.
Creative projects, travel, and games.

When this pandemic is over, what can’t you wait to do?
Have a happy hour with the full team. We are finding ways to socialize in small groups, but nothing beats the camaraderie of getting together as a team.

What is one thing you like about teleworking?
It’s a toss-up between no commute and the broad adoption of instant messaging.

Tell us a fun fact about you.
I married my high school sweetheart six days after college graduation, and will celebrate 20 years in May.

At Johnson, we are laser-focused on the next: going forward to our lunar neighbor to build outposts in uncharted territory while revolutionizing the strategies and technologies that will eventually open up the universe. The Gateway is a critical component of the Artemis program and embodies Johnson's DARE | UNITE | EXPLORE vision: We dare to expand frontiers. We unite with our partners to complete bold missions. We explore space to benefit humanity.

DARE | UNITE | EXPLORE