Melissa Moreno: Harmonizing Culture and Communications at NASA

Melissa Moreno is not just a key player in the development of NASA's gateway to the Moon but also a vibrant representation of cultural diversity and inclusion within the space agency. At NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Moreno, as part of the Avionic Systems Division, melds her expert knowledge of radio frequency wireless engineering with her rich cultural roots as a performer in a mariachi ensemble, showcasing the multifaceted talents of NASA's workforce.

Under Moreno's skilled guidance, communication systems crucial for NASA’s Gateway project—a lunar-orbiting space station meant to serve as a staging point for missions to the Moon and beyond—are meticulously developed and tested. The Gateway is a cornerstone of NASA's Artemis campaign, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface, including the first woman and person of color.

Moreno's role extends beyond the intricacies of engineering as she co-founded and performs with Mariachi Celestial, the mariachi ensemble of Johnson’s Hispanic Employee Resource Group. Her commitment to preserving and promoting her Hispanic heritage through music spotlights her as an ambassador of diversity, resonating with the values of NASA's equity and inclusion initiatives.

A proud New Mexican and trailblazing electrical engineer with a master's degree from New Mexico State University, Moreno broke barriers as the first in her family to achieve this academic accolade. Her journey includes involvement in various NASA facilities across the United States, contributing to the collective effort of developing the Gateway and assisting with communication testing for the International Space Station (ISS).

Moreno’s narrative also reflects the personal triumphs and challenges encountered by a young Hispanic woman carving out space in a predominantly male-dominated field. Battling self-doubt and the compulsion towards perfectionism, she emphasizes the power of positive thinking, believing in oneself, and the relentless pursuit of excellence—qualities that greenlight her as a role model within the engineering community.

Moreover, as an advocate for storytelling that champions workplace diversity, Moreno encourages NASA to continue shining a light on the divergent narratives that weave the fabric of its innovative and inclusive workforce. She understands the empowering potential these stories hold for future generations and the pivotal role they play in inspiring the underrepresented to aspire and achieve in the realms of STEM and aerospace.

As NASA strides towards audacious goals, such as placing the first woman and person of color on the Moon and voyaging to Mars, Moreno stands as a testament to the organization's unyielding spirit and commitment to leveraging humanity's collective knowledge and capabilities. Her intertwining of cultural pride with professional prowess echos the harmonious essence of once distant moonshots now within reach.