Photo credit: www.nasa.gov

Shaping the Future of Space Exploration: Jorge Chong’s Pioneering Work at NASA

Jorge Chong is at the forefront of advancing human spaceflight capabilities through meticulous calculations and innovative engineering. As a project manager for TRON (Tracking and Ranging via Optical Navigation) and a guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) test engineer at NASA’s Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics Division, he is dedicated to ensuring that the Orion spacecraft can autonomously navigate the challenges of deep space.

“GNC functions as the cerebral center of a spacecraft,” Chong explained. “It utilizes a range of sensors to monitor the vehicle’s orbital position, crucial for a safe return to Earth.” He finds great satisfaction in testing GNC components, which deepens his understanding of their integration and functionality—seeing them operate effectively in flight is a profound reward.

His contributions are vital to the Artemis program, a bold initiative focused on returning humans to the Moon and eventually exploring Mars. Chong is involved in the development of optical navigation technologies that allow the Orion spacecraft to identify its position by capturing images of Earth and the Moon. He also plays a key role in testing docking cameras and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) systems, which facilitate autonomous spacecraft rendezvous. Furthermore, he conducts high-fidelity flight simulations at Lockheed Martin’s Orion Test Hardware facility in Houston, ensuring that Orion’s software meets the rigorous demands of space travel.

With a career at NASA spanning over seven years as a full-time engineer, along with three years as a co-op student at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Chong became the lead on Project TRON in 2024. This initiative, backed by a $2 million Early Career Initiative award, focuses on advancing autonomous navigation technologies essential for missions venturing beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

Through Chong’s endeavors, the Artemis Generation is poised to explore the Moon, Mars, and beyond. He provided support for optical navigation operations during Artemis I, is developing software for Artemis II, and leads the optical testing for Orion’s docking systems. However, his journey to NASA has not always been straightforward.

“Math was a real challenge for me when I was younger,” Chong confessed. “I struggled at first, but with my parents’ encouragement, it eventually clicked, turning into a subject I not only excelled in but also enjoyed. Now, it serves as a cornerstone of my professional life.” He underscores the importance of resilience for students facing academic hurdles, emphasizing that persistence can lead to success.

Chong attributes much of his learning to the collaborative environment at NASA. “No matter the difficulty of any topic, there is always the potential to learn,” he remarked. “Before my time at Johnson, I would never have imagined being part of such impactful projects or collaborating with such talented teams.”

His experience has reinforced the value of teamwork, particularly when coordinating efforts with contractors, universities, and other NASA facilities. “It can be challenging to maintain project timelines while navigating these dynamic collaborations, but having a supportive team and maintaining open communication has been invaluable,” Chong noted.

In the near future, the systems he is developing will play a critical role in helping Artemis astronauts reach unexplored destinations. As he guides Orion toward the Moon and beyond, Chong’s contributions are integral to NASA’s mission of advancing space exploration.

“I am truly grateful for the opportunities that have come my way and for the amazing mentors and coworkers who have supported me throughout my journey,” he said.

Source
www.nasa.gov