Q&A with Gateway: Meet Michael Etchells, Chief Health and Performance Officer and Human Health and Performance Directorate Manager for Gateway

The Gateway, a multipurpose 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 chief health and performance officer for the Gateway program, Johnson Space Center-based Mike Etchells is responsible for bringing solutions to the Gateway program by maintaining cognizance of crew health and performance risks, reporting back statuses, and escalating issues that affect the overall agency risk posture. In addition, Etchells also serves as Human Health and Performance Directorate Gateway manager, where he is responsible for managing the directorate’s Gateway budget and resources that cover activities in support of multiple Gateway program and project offices. 

Keep reading to learn more about Mike Etchells! 

What does your office do for the Gateway program?
As a technical authority for the Gateway program, we provide independent assessments, decisions, and an alternate pathway for escalating unresolved technical concerns. As the directorate’s Gateway manager, I manage the directorate’s Gateway budget and resources that cover activities in support of multiple Gateway program and project offices. 

What are you most excited to share about Gateway and what it will do for human exploration as part of the Artemis program?
Developing systems, hardware, and procedures that will safely allow crew to re-enter after a dormant period is no easy task, but we are certainly up to the challenge, and I am confident we will be successful. I am also proud to be working for a program that is critical in helping us land the first woman and first person of color on the surface of the Moon.

How has your personal background influenced your work in the Gateway program?
During my career, I have served in numerous integration roles, where I have had to coordinate with contractors as well as international partners. In my role for Gateway, I communicate with contractors and international partners. I have worked during the early stages of the Constellation and Commercial Crew programs. The concept of operations and design reference missions can often change during the early stage of a program, and it can be difficult to keep up. I have learned to accept that things can often change, and that it is important to get clarification on and document what concept of operations or design reference missions are being used in any assessment. 

What has been your favorite memory while working at NASA?
I was the recipient of a 2005 Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Stellar Award (for early career). My wife was able to attend the awards ceremony and join me on a VIP tour of Johnson, which included the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory. 

Being surrounded by such a high-performing group of people, what’s a great piece of advice you’ve learned?
When responding to actions, make sure to get clarification on any assumptions to use. And, if these details are not known or provided, then be sure to identify what assumptions you make as part of your response to the action. 

In line with JSC’s DARE | UNITE | EXPLORE, how do you see yourself fitting into the vision?
I have always enjoyed working with the different contractor companies and international partners, and I strive to maintain good communication with them. The Gateway program is responsible for the lunar outpost around the Moon, which is a critical element of Artemis. Working for a program that is instrumental in supporting us going back to the Moon and landing the first woman and first person of color on the surface is very exciting. Gateway will also serve as a staging point for deep space exploration. 

More about Mike:

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in southwest Houston and have lived in the Houston area ever since (except for the four years that I went to college in San Antonio at Trinity University). 

If you could temporarily live (or visit) in another part of the world, where would that be?
I would really like to visit the Philippines, where my wife’s parents are from. It would be great to visit some of my wife’s extended family, visit the beaches, and eat some of the local Filipino food. 

How long have you been at JSC?
I have been working at Johnson for over 22 years. 

Describe yourself in five words:
Considerate, hardworking, humble, funny, and easygoing. 

Favorite thing(s) to do to unwind:
Trying out new restaurants and coffee shops with my wife, traveling, riding on my OneWheel, watching Marvel movies/TV series with my son, reading books to my daughter, and playing basketball. 

How has the pandemic shaped your work style?
I feel as though I have been very productive while working at home. I am very disciplined and do not get easily distracted. I have learned to take advantage of using the chat/call function in Teams to communicate on things that are not sensitive in nature and require quick turnaround. I do miss seeing my co-workers in person, and I am looking forward to returning to Johnson in some capacity. 

Name one thing we would be surprised to learn about you.
I have a small coffee bean roaster at home, and I enjoy roasting my own coffee beans.

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