18 | LEHIGH ALUMNI BULLETIN | FROM THE NEST When millions watched the launch of Artemis II, NASAʼs first crewed lunar flyby in 50 years, two Lehigh alumni were working behind the scenes to make that historic moment possible. Mark Riddle ʼ87 and Christina Mancinelli ʼ03 ʼ04 launched careers in aerospace after graduating from Lehigh and trace their success back to the same foundation of curiosity, interdisciplinary thinking and a willingness to take on challenges that once felt out of reach. Riddle, an operations engineer supporting Amentum at NASAʼs Kennedy Space Center, helped prepare and validate the umbilical systems used in support of Artemis missions. Mancinelli serves as vice president of global communications and navigation at Lockheed Martin, overseeing more than 1,500 employees across 20 programs supporting space and ground systems that enable national security space missions. Their stories reflect the collaboration, precision and imagination required to push aerospace technology forward. Creativity Behind the Controls As a student, Riddle recognized that engineering carried a creative dimension. He pursued electrical engineering while also minoring in music, drawn equally to circuits and sound. In high school, he had become fascinated with music electronics, guitar amplifiers and synthesizers, interests that shaped both his academic path and the way he approached problem-solving. “Lehigh teaches you how to think,ˮ Riddle said. “That deeply layered learning environment really helped me succeed in the diverse world of technology, science and engineering.ˮ After graduation, Riddle began his career at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, working on aircraft carriers including USS Independence and USS Kitty Hawk. The role introduced him to the complexity of massive interconnected systems. Over the years, Riddle moved across industries, from chemical processing to environmental monitoring systems, often working at the intersection of disciplines. Roughly three years ago, Riddle was contracted through Amentum to perform critical systems work in support of Artemis II. His focus became the umbilical systems that provide power, fuel, air and data to the rocket while it stands on the launch pad. On the floor of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) in the months leading up to the launch of Artemis II, he met the astronauts flying in the Orion spacecraft. The 600plus people working in the VAB on those days would gather around as the astronauts took turns speaking at a podium. “They were always so supportive,ˮ Riddle said. “Theyʼre always so thankful to the engineers, the technicians. They depended on us to get it right the first time.ˮ In the final moments before liftoff, the umbilical systems are still actively supLehigh to Liftoff Mark Riddle ʼ87 and Christina Mancinelli ʼ03 ʼ04 are helping shape the future of aerospace through engineering, creativity and the Artemis era. By Katie Clarke and Skye Cruz Detailed view of the Artemis II rocket. NASA/FRANK MICHAUX Mark Riddle ’87
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0OTQ5OA==