The Human Landing System CrewCo Lander Simulation helps engineers and astronauts work through lunar descent, ascent and rendezvous. According to NASA, the model began simply in 2020 and is used at multiple Johnson facilities to evaluate guidance systems and provide hands-on lunar lander piloting experience. [S1]
Gentile advanced from developer to managing and leading the lander simulation project. His team also develops simulations that involve people in the loop and provides input on landing-system vendors’ designs against NASA standards. NASA says the work is intended to help teams understand the challenges of returning people to the lunar surface and improve design and safety for future missions. [S1]
Gentile’s route into this work changed after a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis led to the rescission of his appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he had planned to become a pilot. He moved into aerospace engineering, developed flight simulations for pilot training in the aviation industry and joined Johnson as a contractor in 2018. [S1]
Source documents
- James Gentile: Shaping the Artemis Generation, One Simulation at a Timehttps://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/johnson/james-gentile-shaping-the-artemis-generation-one-simulation-at-a-time/