Elkin Norena, a resident management official with NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) Program, plays a pivotal role in the agency’s space shuttle launch operations. Norena has contributed to over a dozen missions, including the construction of the International Space Station, the final servicing mission for the Hubble Space Telescope, and critical scientific experiments that have enhanced life on Earth.
Currently serving as the manager for the SLS Resident Management Office at the Kennedy Space Center, Norena is instrumental in preparing America’s rocket, the SLS, and the Orion spacecraft for the Artemis II mission, which will orbit the Moon and return to Earth. In this capacity, she provides on-site SLS support to NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems team and acts as a communication liaison for the program. This role represents a continuation of Norena’s childhood aspiration to be part of space exploration.
Recalling a space shuttle launch she witnessed as a child in New Jersey, Norena stated, “When I watched the power of the launch and the brave astronauts heading into exploration, I knew I had to be a part of it one day. I wanted to be an astronaut.” Norena, who was born in Colombia, pursued a degree in computer engineering at the University of Central Florida in Orlando to achieve this dream.
Following university, Norena worked for NASA contractor United Space Alliance before joining NASA Kennedy as a civil servant in 2008. She began as an electrical engineer in the Space Shuttle Program, serving as a flight termination engineer for 17 shuttle missions and contributing to the construction of the International Space Station.
Leveraging these experiences, she became part of the original SLS team, which was crucial for the successful launches of Artemis I and II, and is now vital for the Artemis III mission. Outside of her professional duties, Norena dedicates her time to her young daughters’ activities and astrophotography, having traveled to various locations in Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, and the western United States to photograph the Milky Way.
Norena views Artemis II as more than just a mission; she believes it’s a historic moment. “I grew up watching the shuttle missions, learned about Apollo, and wanted to be part of those Moon missions. We built the space station. The shuttle explored space and technology on many levels,” Norena said. “Now, it’s our turn to go back to the Moon with Artemis, and this time we are going to stay. I’m excited to be part of the generation that does this.”
