Rebekah Tolatovicz: A Key Contributor to NASA's Artemis Program

Rebekah Tolatovicz serves as a mechanical technician lead for the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC Federal), supporting Lockheed Martin in the development of the Orion spacecraft. Based at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Tolatovicz has been instrumental in the construction, integration, and testing of the Orion spacecraft, particularly for the Artemis II mission, which successfully carried four astronauts around the Moon and splashed down on April 10, 2023.

NASA

Tolatovicz's responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks within the Operations and Checkout Building at Kennedy Space Center. Her work involves everything from assembling the spacecraft's bare structure to the installation of intricate components. She emphasizes the significance of each task, stating, “It’s really vital to stress the importance of what we do and know nothing is minuscule. Everything matters.” This perspective is crucial for fostering a culture of diligence and attention to detail among new hires.

NASA

Beginning her career as an intern with Lockheed Martin through Eastern Florida State College’s aerospace technician program, Tolatovicz has accumulated nine years of experience in the Orion program. Her journey reflects a commitment to learning and growth, as she notes, “At first I didn’t think I was going to make it... if you come in with a good attitude and want to learn — there’s so much you can learn from these guys.” This hands-on experience has allowed her to contribute significantly to both the uncrewed Artemis I test flight and the crewed Artemis II mission.

NASA

Tolatovicz expresses pride in her contributions to NASA's Artemis program, stating, “It’s really amazing for me to be a part of NASA’s history and the next step.” Her enthusiasm for her role and the collaborative environment at NASA is evident, as she appreciates the challenges and teamwork involved in the spacecraft's development. She highlights the excitement of being able to tell others about her specific contributions, such as installing the thrusters for the spacecraft, which she describes as “pretty cool.”

NASA

Tolatovicz's insights reflect a broader commitment within NASA to inspire and educate the next generation of aerospace professionals. Her emphasis on the importance of mentorship and knowledge transfer is a key aspect of the agency's culture, aiming to ensure that new employees understand the significance of their roles in the Artemis missions.

NASA

• “What I really like about the area that I’m in is we do so much,” — Rebekah Tolatovicz, Orion Mechanical Technician Lead for ASRC Federal

NASA

• “It's really vital to stress the importance of what we do and know nothing is minuscule.” — Rebekah Tolatovicz

NASA

• “But if you come in with a good attitude and want to learn — there’s so much you can learn from these guys, they have decades of knowledge to share.” — Rebekah Tolatovicz

NASA

• “It’s really amazing for me to be a part of NASA’s history and the next step,” — Rebekah Tolatovicz

NASA

• “I just really love my job, the team, and working through challenges. You don’t think about it when you’re putting things on, but then you get to tell somebody else that you installed the thrusters for the spacecraft, and you realize — man, that’s pretty cool.” — Rebekah Tolatovicz

NASA