Theta Chi - Iowa State University

MORE FROM BRIAN ON THE ARTEMIS PROGRAM MORE FROM BRIAN ON THE ARTEMIS PROGRAM "During a typical Artemis mission, four astronauts will take off from Earth on the "During a typical Artemis mission, four astronauts will take off from Earth on the Space Launch System rocket aboard the Orion capsule. They'll take a five-day trip Space Launch System rocket aboard the Orion capsule. They'll take a five-day trip and dock to Gateway, where a lunar lander and cargo vehicle will be pre-staged� and dock to Gateway, where a lunar lander and cargo vehicle will be pre-staged� After a few days on Gateway, two and eventually all four astronauts will take the After a few days on Gateway, two and eventually all four astronauts will take the lander to the lunar surface, where they'll stay for about a week� Then it's back to lander to the lunar surface, where they'll stay for about a week� Then it's back to Gateway, where the crew will spend a few days packing up—after which they'll Gateway, where the crew will spend a few days packing up—after which they'll depart on the Orion with their Moon rocks and return to Earth�" depart on the Orion with their Moon rocks and return to Earth�" THE TOMAHAWK 3 Theta Chi at ISU BRIAN'S ADVICE TO BROTHERS "The best piece I have to offer is that you have to really look inside yourself and be honest with what you find, learning how to work with your strengths and weaknesses� There is no one answer; what worked for me might not work for you� When you pull that thought string a little further, you realize that the only universal advice is to work your butt off� There's so much in life you can't control� Your level of effort is the only thing you can always control� Work hard enough, long enough, and people will start thinking you're gifted� From the outside, it's easy to confuse talent for hard-earned experience�" Most of all, he learned that the members were the most valuable asset—at Alpha Mu and in any organization� "I'll never forget that there was always something going on and someone to hang out with," he said of his college years� "The place was always buzzing�" Currently, Brian works as the systems lead for the Habitation and Logistics Outpost, the first habitable part of the Lunar Gateway outpost space station. This small station will fly in a special orbit around the Moon, allowing astronauts to travel nearly anywhere on the lunar surface� "Gateway is a key component of NASA's Artemis Program, which will return humanity to the moon—this time to stay�" Brian's role with HALO is to oversee the development of the module's technical and systems engineering aspects, meaning he works with the teams that determine and execute technical solutions� He's also responsible for integrating a lunar communication system built by the European Space Agency, which will enable up to two simultaneous, HD-quality live streams from the lunar surface� Before HALO, Brian worked on propulsion tech for future Mars missions (which included rocket engine tests in Hawaii) as well as a jetpack, called SAFER, worn by astronauts on the International Space Station to fly to safety if they get detached. He also lead a small team that developed and flew Seeker, a small prototype spacecraft made to inspect other human spacecraft� Brian lives in Manvel, Texas, and enjoys woodworking and metalworking, 3D printing, automotive repair, and trying to keep up with his 1-year-old daughter� He was awarded the NASA Early Career Achievement Medal in 2017 followed by the Rotary NASA Stellar Award for Early Career Achievement in 2020, and he has been a licensed professional engineer in the State of Texas since 2016� Brian is thankful for all he has learned from Theta Chi, and he gives back to Alpha Mu as a regular donor� "Alpha Mu gave me opportunities to learn and grow as a man that are normally afforded to people much later in life� I donate to our fraternity because I want to give the same opportunity I had to someone else�" You can connect with Brian at banker�brian@gmail�com� BROTHERHOOD PERSISTS BACK TO THE MOON

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