When Anton Kiriwas first spotted an image of the Moon and Mars hanging over a job fair booth in college, it captured his imagination, yet felt like a dream too distant to chase. Today, he stands at the heart of NASA's Artemis missions, helping launch humans back to the Moon for the first time in more than half a century. Here are seven key insights into the man who turns ground system challenges into solutions.

1. A College Daydream That Became Reality

During his college years, Anton Kiriwas walked past a job fair booth featuring a striking image of the Moon and Mars. The scene sparked a deep curiosity, but he never imagined he would one day work for NASA. That brief encounter planted a seed that would blossom years later, as he now plays a critical role in the Artemis program, overseeing ground systems that launch humanity's next giant leap.

2. From United Launch Alliance to NASA Civil Servant

Kiriwas's path to NASA started at United Launch Alliance (ULA), the same organization that hosted that memorable booth. While working on the Space Shuttle Program, he gained invaluable experience. Soon after, he transitioned to NASA as a civil servant, focusing on electrical systems design. This foundational work set the stage for his current role as senior technical integration manager with Exploration Ground Systems.

3. The Problem Solver: A Simple Title for a Complex Job

“My official title is way too long – what I do is pretty simple: I solve problems for the ground systems.” That's how Kiriwas sums up his role. His team processes, launches, and recovers the spacecraft, involving countless ground systems and people. A major part of his day involves troubleshooting issues as they arise, ensuring everything runs smoothly from preparation through recovery.

4. The Launch Project Engineer: Nerve Center of Firing Room 1

Kiriwas serves as a senior launch project engineer, stationed at the integration console in the center of Firing Room 1 at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center. From this vantage point, he acts as the bridge between test management and engineering teams. He and his fellow launch project engineers report directly to the launch director, providing the final technical recommendation on any anomalies during countdown.

5. Working Across Disciplines for a Unified Mission

Despite the complexity of launch operations, Kiriwas works seamlessly across all engineering disciplines. Whether it's propulsion, avionics, or mechanical systems, his role demands cross-functional collaboration. The unifying goal: launch the spacecraft and crew safely. This orchestration requires constant communication and rapid decision-making.

6. The Intensity (and Unexpected Calm) of Launch Day

Launch day is often described as intense, but Kiriwas notes that the months of rigorous simulations and preparation can make the actual event feel surprisingly easier. The practice scenarios prepare the team for nearly every contingency. Still, the weight of responsibility is immense—knowing that astronauts and hardware depend on the ground systems functioning perfectly.

7. Driving Artemis Forward: One Problem at a Time

For Kiriwas, the Artemis program is the culmination of a long journey. From a dream triggered by a poster to leading integration for humanity's return to the Moon, his story exemplifies perseverance. Every challenge solved brings NASA closer to its goal of sustainable lunar exploration and eventually Mars. As he puts it, “Our goal is to process, launch, and recover the spacecraft.” And with each successful mission, that goal becomes a reality.

Anton Kiriwas's career reminds us that big dreams can start small—maybe even from a picture at a job fair. His work with NASA's Exploration Ground Systems proves that solving problems, one by one, can move humanity forward. As Artemis prepares for launch, Kiriwas stands ready in Firing Room 1, turning challenges into countdowns.