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A new study finds a variety of hair extensions—from natural to synthetic—contain chemicals associated with cancer, birth defects and reproductive issues

We must find a balance between haste and getting mired in medical inertia

We must find a balance between haste and getting mired in medical inertia

There are huge benefits to ringing the changes when it comes to exercise, finds committed runner Grace Wade when she analyses the science

There are huge benefits to ringing the changes when it comes to exercise, finds committed runner Grace Wade when she analyses the science

In George Saunders's Vigil, a ghost visits Earth to help a dying oil tycoon, while terraforming efforts on Mars are about to bear fruit in The Rainseekers by Matthew Kressel. Emily H. Wilson's sci-fi column explores two very different short novels

In George Saunders's Vigil, a ghost visits Earth to help a dying oil tycoon, while terraforming efforts on Mars are about to bear fruit in The Rainseekers by Matthew Kressel. Emily H. Wilson's sci-fi column explores two very different short novels

The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week

The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week

It's hard not to despair about the state of the world today, but here are five reasons to be a little bit hopeful, says Fred Pearce

We are told we need cynical strategies to "play" the dating game, but the science says this is totally wrong. David Robson enjoys an evidence-based takedown from psychologist Paul Eastwick

Feedback is always on the lookout for better ways to measure things, and was delighted to learn how the weight of ice is quantified in Austin, Texas

It's hard not to despair about the state of the world today, but here are five reasons to be a little bit hopeful, says Fred Pearce

We are told we need cynical strategies to "play" the dating game, but the science says this is totally wrong. David Robson enjoys an evidence-based takedown from psychologist Paul Eastwick

Feedback is always on the lookout for better ways to measure things, and was delighted to learn how the weight of ice is quantified in Austin, Texas

In a clockwork predictable Universe, comets and how they will ultimately perform is always a big wild card. A new sungrazer comet discovered at the start of this year has given astronomers pause. C/2026 A1 MAPS could put on a memorable if brief show in early April, if it doesn’t join the long list of comets that failed to live up to expectations.

3 Min Read I Am Artemis: Jesse Berdis

Listen to this audio excerpt from Jesse Berdis, Artemis II mobile launcher 1 deputy project manager:

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Jesse Berdis’s dream of becoming a structural engineer began with visions of skyscrapers rising above the Dallas and Oklahoma skyline. Today, that dream has soared beyond city limits, reaching towering heights at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Berdis, the deputy project manager for mobile launcher 1 for the agency’s Artemis II mission, had a path to NASA which was anything but planned. While attending an engineering leadership conference in Orlando, he left a copy of his resume with NASA recruiters. Four weeks later, that simple gesture turned into a life-changing opportunity: a role at Kennedy as a launch infrastructure engineer with the Exploration Ground Systems Program, working on Artemis I, the uncrewed test flight of SLS and Orion.

Anyone I talk to, that’s what’s on my mind, getting ready for the Artemis campaign. It can go from technical issues we’re solving to the passion we have for launching the crew and taking the next step in humanity of going back to the Moon.

Jesse Berdis

Artemis II mobile launcher 1 deputy project manager

The mobile launcher serves as a backbone to the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft for the Artemis missions before and during launch. It is designed to support the integration, testing, and checkouts of the rocket and spacecraft, in addition to serving as the structural platform, or as Berdis calls it, “the shoulders, at liftoff.” Standing more than 400 feet tall, the mobile launcher houses the umbilicals that provide power, communications, coolant, fuel, and stabilization prior to launch, as well as access for the Artemis II crew to safely board Orion.

When Berdis first arrived on center, the sight of massive ground systems left an unforgettable impression. To him, these weren’t just structures, they were skyscrapers for space exploration.

Jesse Berdis, Artemis II mobile launcher 1 deputy project manager, poses for a photo near the emergency egress system at Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. The emergency egress system is an abort system for personnel to climb into four baskets of the mobile launcher to the base of the pad in the unlikely event of an emergency at the launch pad. Mobile launcher 1 supports the integration, testing, and checkouts of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft for the Artemis II mission.
Photo credit: NASA/Kim ShiflettNASA/Kim Shiflett

After the historic launch of Artemis I, Berdis and his team turned their focus to an even greater challenge: preparing for Artemis II, NASA’s first crewed Moon mission in more than 50 years.

One of the most critical upgrades for Artemis II is the emergency egress system, an abort system for personnel to use in the unlikely event of an emergency at the launch pad. Located on the 274-foot level of the mobile launcher, four baskets will provide a rapid escape route from the mobile launcher to the base of the pad in case of emergency, using electromagnetic braking technology.

“That is a true feat of humanity: someone putting all of their passion into these systems to make it all come together at T-0.

Jesse Berdis

Artemis II mobile launcher 1 deputy project manager

Berdis recently set his sights on the Artemis human landing system lander ground operations, to develop and maintain an integrated schedule. Under his leadership, the team ensures accuracy of combined schedules, risks, and insights, ensuring the ground operations and human lander development remain in sync.

About the AuthorLaura SasaninejadStrategic Communications Specialist

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Details Last Updated Feb 11, 2026 Related Terms

• Artemis 2
• Artemis
• Exploration Ground Systems
• I Am Artemis
• Kennedy Space Center
• Missions
• Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle
• Space Launch System (SLS)

Explore More 4 min read NASA Moon Mission Spacesuit Nears Milestone Article 4 days ago 4 min read Reaching Top Speed in the Dolomites

Cortina d’Ampezzo, flanked by steep-sided mountain peaks, is the site of several skiing and sliding…

Article 5 days ago 3 min read NASA Marks Milestone in Preparation for Artemis IV Testing Article 6 days ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA

Missions

Humans in Space

Climate Change

Solar System

3 Min Read I Am Artemis: Jesse Berdis

Listen to this audio excerpt from Jesse Berdis, Artemis II mobile launcher 1 deputy project manager:

0:00 / 0:00

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Jesse Berdis’s dream of becoming a structural engineer began with visions of skyscrapers rising above the Dallas and Oklahoma skyline. Today, that dream has soared beyond city limits, reaching towering heights at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Berdis, the deputy project manager for mobile launcher 1 for the agency’s Artemis II mission, had a path to NASA which was anything but planned. While attending an engineering leadership conference in Orlando, he left a copy of his resume with NASA recruiters. Four weeks later, that simple gesture turned into a life-changing opportunity: a role at Kennedy as a launch infrastructure engineer with the Exploration Ground Systems Program, working on Artemis I, the uncrewed test flight of SLS and Orion.

Anyone I talk to, that’s what’s on my mind, getting ready for the Artemis campaign. It can go from technical issues we’re solving to the passion we have for launching the crew and taking the next step in humanity of going back to the Moon.

Jesse Berdis

Artemis II mobile launcher 1 deputy project manager

The mobile launcher serves as a backbone to the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft for the Artemis missions before and during launch. It is designed to support the integration, testing, and checkouts of the rocket and spacecraft, in addition to serving as the structural platform, or as Berdis calls it, “the shoulders, at liftoff.” Standing more than 400 feet tall, the mobile launcher houses the umbilicals that provide power, communications, coolant, fuel, and stabilization prior to launch, as well as access for the Artemis II crew to safely board Orion.

When Berdis first arrived on center, the sight of massive ground systems left an unforgettable impression. To him, these weren’t just structures, they were skyscrapers for space exploration.

Jesse Berdis, Artemis II mobile launcher 1 deputy project manager, poses for a photo near the emergency egress system at Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. The emergency egress system is an abort system for personnel to climb into four baskets of the mobile launcher to the base of the pad in the unlikely event of an emergency at the launch pad. Mobile launcher 1 supports the integration, testing, and checkouts of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft for the Artemis II mission.
Photo credit: NASA/Kim ShiflettNASA/Kim Shiflett

After the historic launch of Artemis I, Berdis and his team turned their focus to an even greater challenge: preparing for Artemis II, NASA’s first crewed Moon mission in more than 50 years.

One of the most critical upgrades for Artemis II is the emergency egress system, an abort system for personnel to use in the unlikely event of an emergency at the launch pad. Located on the 274-foot level of the mobile launcher, four baskets will provide a rapid escape route from the mobile launcher to the base of the pad in case of emergency, using electromagnetic braking technology.

“That is a true feat of humanity: someone putting all of their passion into these systems to make it all come together at T-0.

Jesse Berdis

Artemis II mobile launcher 1 deputy project manager

Berdis recently set his sights on the Artemis human landing system lander ground operations, to develop and maintain an integrated schedule. Under his leadership, the team ensures accuracy of combined schedules, risks, and insights, ensuring the ground operations and human lander development remain in sync.

About the AuthorLaura SasaninejadStrategic Communications Specialist

Share

Details Last Updated Feb 11, 2026 Related Terms

• Artemis 2
• Artemis
• Exploration Ground Systems
• I Am Artemis
• Kennedy Space Center
• Missions
• Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle
• Space Launch System (SLS)

Explore More 4 min read NASA Moon Mission Spacesuit Nears Milestone Article 5 days ago 4 min read Reaching Top Speed in the Dolomites

Cortina d’Ampezzo, flanked by steep-sided mountain peaks, is the site of several skiing and sliding…

Article 5 days ago 3 min read NASA Marks Milestone in Preparation for Artemis IV Testing Article 6 days ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA

Missions

Humans in Space

Climate Change

Solar System

There’s more to Winter Olympians’ diets than calories—but for some, there are also lots and lots of calories

Biologists have long thought that speaking to nature’s economic value would persuade boardrooms it was worth saving. It hasn’t worked – so what, if anything, will?