Q&A with Gateway: Meet Linda Ruhl, Deputy Manager of the Systems Engineering and Integration Office for the Gateway Program

The Gateway, an outpost orbiting the Moon and vital part of NASA’s Artemis program, is built with sound engineering and operational principles that will serve as a staging point for deep space exploration and model for future missions to Mars. As the deputy manager of the Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I) Office for the Gateway program, NASA Johnson Space Center-based Linda Ruhl is responsible for assisting the SE&I manager in daily management activities such as resource and task planning, risk management, and concepts and strategic planning for the integrated assembly of the Gateway. 

Keep reading to learn more about Linda Ruhl, below! 

What does your office do for the Gateway program?
Our office is divided into three major divisions: Spacecraft Configuration management, Integrated Performance, and Cross Program Integration. Spacecraft Configuration is responsible for the external and internal configuration management. Integrated Performance is responsible for all the integrated performance analysis across all subsystems, including maintaining technical performance metrics and analyzing new concepts and trades. Cross Program Integration coordinates across the Artemis programs — between Gateway, Orion, and Human Landing System programs.  

What are you most excited to share about Gateway and what it will do for human exploration as part of the Artemis program?
Gateway is just the beginning of human exploration into the solar system. A lot of people think it’s just about getting back to the Moon, but it’s so much more. It’s a steppingstone to getting men and women on Mars — and maybe beyond that someday.   

How has your personal background influenced your work in the Gateway program?
As a child, I remember watching Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the Moon. I was so young that I did not fully realize the historic significance, and I remember asking, “What planet are we going to next?” When I began my career at NASA, I thought my generation would be sending the first person to Mars, but that never seemed to gain momentum. When I heard about the Gateway program, I knew I had to be a part of it and work toward fulfilling that dream. I’m still hopeful that I will see humans on Mars in my lifetime.  

What has been your favorite memory while working at NASA?
The best memories were all the opportunities I had to travel to many NASA centers and commercial space companies. I also enjoy traveling abroad to international space agencies and seeing all the fascinating and innovative things they are working on.  

Being surrounded by such a high-performing group of people, what’s a great piece of advice you’ve learned?
You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room to promote a culture where people can share ideas and be innovative. Be open-minded and create avenues where people can bring forward their ideas. 

In line with JSC’s DARE | UNITE | EXPLORE, how do you see yourself fitting into the vision?
DARE and EXPLORE are important, but we are not going to do it without UNITING. I see myself working to promote avenues of communication and collaboration between programs, commercial partners, and international agencies to make Gateway a success.  

More about you: 

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Wheaton, Maryland — a suburb of Washington, D.C. 

If you could temporarily live (or visit) in another part of the world, where would that be?
Anywhere with warm tropical beaches. I love being by the water. 

How long have you been at JSC?
33 years. 

Describe yourself in five words:
Friendly, enthusiastic, strategic thinker, positive, and inclusive. 

Favorite thing(s) to do to unwind:
Quilting, camping, and boating. 

How has the pandemic shaped your work style?
Working at home is so convenient — no commute and dressing up for work, but I really miss the hallway conversations and connecting with people. I’ll be glad when we can go back to the office.     

Name one thing we would be surprised to learn about you.
I climbed to the top of Mount Whitney, the tallest mountain in the continental United States, with my 75-year-old mother.

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