On August 6, 2026, NASA announced an intensified focus on long-term lunar and Martian exploration under its Artemis program. Central to accelerating the Artemis missions is Tom Percy, the systems engineering and integration lead for NASA's Human Landing System Program. Percy is tasked with collaborating with SpaceX and Blue Origin to streamline the design, manufacturing, testing, and certification of these systems.
Hailing from North Easton, Massachusetts, Percy earned his mechanical engineering degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology. During his college years, he participated in the Great Moonbuggy Race, now known as the Human Exploration Rover Challenge, held annually at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. This experience launched Percy's career at NASA, where he continues to work.
He obtained a master's degree in aerospace engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and later earned a doctorate in space systems engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Percy has since contributed to evaluating deep-space crewed mission architectures, including those targeting the Moon and Mars. His expertise spans advanced propulsion technology development, orbital analysis, and spacecraft and mission concept development.
Under the Artemis program, NASA is planning increasingly complex missions to explore the Moon, aiming for scientific discoveries, economic benefits, and establishing a sustainable human presence. The program also seeks to lay the groundwork for the first crewed missions to Mars.
Success in the program hinges on close collaboration with commercial partners like SpaceX and Blue Origin, who are developing crewed landers. Percy and his team ensure these landers operate safely and efficiently alongside NASA's other research tools.
Following the success of the Artemis II mission, the world is watching NASA and its commercial partners' next steps. Percy stated that the team is eager to embark on the next flights and execute increasingly sophisticated Artemis missions.
For more information about the Artemis program, visit NASA's official website.
Image source: NASA
Sources:
I Am Artemis: Tom Percy
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