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Hernando Today
By the People, for the People
Two Mississippi State Grads Help Launch Artemis II Moon Mission
Aerospace engineer and finance major played key roles in successful Artemis II liftoff.
Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:40pm
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The intricate technical planning and coordination behind NASA's historic Artemis II mission to send astronauts around the Moon.Hernando TodayTwo alumni from Mississippi State University, Matthew Ramsey and Parker Glass, played crucial roles in the successful launch of NASA's Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight to the Moon since 1972. Ramsey, an aerospace engineer, served as mission manager, while Glass, a finance major, oversaw budget development and resource allocation for the launch as part of the Exploration Ground Systems team.
Why it matters
The Artemis II mission marks a significant milestone in the renewed push for human exploration of the Moon, with the first crewed lunar flight in over 50 years. The involvement of Mississippi State alumni in this historic endeavor highlights the university's contributions to the space industry and the diverse range of career paths available in the field of space exploration.
The details
Matthew Ramsey, a Hernando, Mississippi native, earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in aerospace engineering from Mississippi State in the 1990s. He began working for NASA in 2002 and now serves as the mission manager for Artemis II, responsible for ensuring the mission's hardware, astronauts, and personnel are prepared. Parker Glass, from Yorktown, Virginia, discovered his passion for space exploration through his father's work at Langley Research Center. After studying finance at Mississippi State, Glass landed an internship at NASA and now oversees budget development, project plans, and resource allocation for the Artemis II launch as part of the Exploration Ground Systems team.
- On Wednesday, April 2, 2026, NASA launched the Artemis II mission from Kennedy Space Center.
- The last crewed mission to the Moon was Apollo 17 in 1972.
The players
Matthew Ramsey
A Hernando, Mississippi native who earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in aerospace engineering from Mississippi State University in the 1990s. He began working for NASA in 2002 and now serves as the mission manager for the Artemis II mission, responsible for ensuring the mission's hardware, astronauts, and personnel are prepared.
Parker Glass
A Yorktown, Virginia native who discovered his passion for space exploration through his father's work at Langley Research Center. After studying finance at Mississippi State University, Glass landed an internship at NASA and now oversees budget development, project plans, and resource allocation for the Artemis II launch as part of the Exploration Ground Systems team.
What they’re saying
“There are a lot of similarities between mission management and pitching. You control many aspects of the tempo, and there's a lot of weight on your shoulders.”
— Matthew Ramsey, Mission Manager, Artemis II
“NASA needs everybody. Students should not think being an astronaut is the only way to work in space exploration.”
— Parker Glass, Exploration Ground Systems
What’s next
The Artemis II mission is scheduled to send four astronauts, including Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, on a 10-day journey around the Moon before returning them safely to Earth.
The takeaway
The successful launch of Artemis II, with the involvement of two Mississippi State University alumni, highlights the university's contributions to the space industry and the diverse career paths available in the field of space exploration. This mission marks a significant milestone in the renewed push for human exploration of the Moon, and the participation of these alumni showcases the valuable skills and expertise that can be found at institutions like MSU.
