Two University of Louisiana at Lafayette alumni played key roles in Artemis II, a mission that has carried astronauts around the moon for the first time in more than 50 years and is nearing its return to Earth.
Artemis II is NASA’s first crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. Splashdown is expected later today.
For Dr. Megan Borel, a member of the Artemis II Lunar Science Team, and Robert L. Southers Jr., associate chief of the Safety & Test Operations Division at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the mission aligns with work shaped by their time at UL Lafayette.
Borel, who earned a master’s degree in geology from the University in 2018, serves as an observation planner and crew data analyst in the Science Evaluation Room at NASA’s Mission Control in Houston. There, she supports the analysis of astronaut observations. She also contributed to astronaut training, helping prepare crew members in orbital observation and lunar science.
“The Artemis II mission is beyond inspiring,” said Borel, who holds a Ph.D. in geology from the University of Florida. “This is my generation’s Apollo program, and I think that we — especially the Artemis II Lunar Science Team — are making the unsung women of Apollo proud.”
Southers, who earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 2012 from UL Lafayette and a master’s degree in engineering management from Louisiana Tech, works in NASA’s Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate, where his team supports crew and flight hardware testing and certification.
He began his NASA career as a high school intern. He later served as a cooperative education student while enrolled at UL Lafayette before accepting a full-time position after graduation. His early work at NASA’s Stennis Space Center included supporting tests of RS-25 engines used to power the Space Launch System for Artemis missions.
In 2020, he transitioned to Johnson Space Center, where his focus shifted to human-rating and astronaut safety. He is now associate chief of the Safety & Test Operations Division, where his team supports operational safety, testing and incident response related to crew members and flight hardware.
Artemis II is designed to test systems required for human spaceflight beyond Earth orbit, including life support, navigation and reentry. The mission is expected to conclude with a splashdown later today and is a precursor to a planned lunar landing on Artemis III.
“Being a part of the first mission to the moon in 50 years is such an honor, and I can’t wait to see the valuable lunar science that comes out of this mission,” Borel said.
Top photo cutline: Dr. Megan Borel, a member of NASA’s Artemis II Lunar Science Team and a UL Lafayette alumna, is pictured with cutouts of the Artemis II crew — Reid Wiseman, Victor J. Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen — at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Megan Borel)