Katie Oriti Manages Orion European Service Module Integration for NASA's Artemis Mission

Oriti's journey from rural Ohio to a key role in the Artemis program highlights NASA's ability to inspire and empower diverse talent.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Katie Oriti, a native of Shelby, Ohio, manages the Orion European Service Module Integration Office at NASA, working closely with commercial and international partners to ensure the module is ready to safely support the agency's Artemis II mission around the Moon. Oriti's path to NASA was not a straight one - she initially studied mechanical engineering with the intention of becoming a doctor, but ultimately found her calling in the space industry.

Why it matters

Oriti's story demonstrates how NASA can inspire and provide opportunities for talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to contribute to groundbreaking space exploration efforts like the Artemis program. Her journey also highlights the evolving nature of NASA's workforce and the agency's ability to attract a new generation of engineers and scientists.

The details

After graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering and a biomedical engineering minor, Oriti initially planned to apply to medical school. However, as graduation approached, she shifted her focus and applied for roles that sparked her curiosity, which led her to a support services contractor position at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. Oriti then became a civil servant, working as a thermal analyst for the Orion spacecraft before taking on her current role managing the Orion European Service Module Integration Office.

  • Oriti grew up in the rural town of Shelby, Ohio.
  • Oriti studied mechanical engineering in college and minored in biomedical engineering, originally intending to apply to medical school.
  • As graduation approached, Oriti changed course and applied for roles that interested her, leading to a position at NASA's Glenn Research Center.
  • Oriti became a civil servant at NASA, working as a thermal analyst for the Orion spacecraft.
  • Oriti now manages the Orion European Service Module Integration Office, working to ensure the module is ready for the Artemis II mission.

The players

Katie Oriti

A native of Shelby, Ohio, Oriti manages the Orion European Service Module Integration Office at NASA, working closely with commercial and international partners to support the Artemis program.

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What they’re saying

“I think NASA was always in the back of my mind because I had an interest in space. It was something that felt unattainable, and I just didn't think it was in the cards for me.”

— Katie Oriti, Orion European Service Module Integration Office manager (Mirage News)

What’s next

Oriti and her team will continue to work closely with international partners to ensure the Orion European Service Module is ready to support the Artemis II mission, which is scheduled to launch astronauts around the Moon in the coming years.

The takeaway

Katie Oriti's journey from rural Ohio to a key role in NASA's Artemis program demonstrates the agency's ability to inspire and empower diverse talent, providing opportunities for individuals from various backgrounds to contribute to groundbreaking space exploration efforts.