SCIENCE · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
NASA Ames Recognizes September 2026 Stars of the Month
WHY IT MATTERS
By recognizing these contributions, NASA strengthens operational safety, enhances data quality for flagship missions, and advances scientific readiness for upcoming missions like Europa Clipper and GeoAI initiatives.
What happened
NASA Ames Science Directorate announced its September 2026 Stars of the Month, honoring seven individuals for their technical expertise and collaborative work across multiple divisions. Space Biosciences Star Steve Ormsby, a project engineer with Amentum, led safety oversight and infrastructure maintenance, ensuring operational readiness of division facilities. Facility Service Manager Aphrodite Kostakis maintained building N239, prepared for VPP inspections, and implemented infrastructure improvements.
Astrophysics Stars Alejandro Borlaff and Sarah Nickerson advanced data processing for Hubble, Roman, and SOFIA missions, improving detection of faint astronomical features and providing high‑level data products to the global community. Planetary Science Fellow Martina Caussi used finite‑element simulations to show topographic relaxation shapes Europa’s Tegid crater, informing Europa Clipper science planning.
Earth Science Stars Keiko Nomura and Stephen Broccardo led the NEX‑GeoAI project and sustained Ames’ atmospheric remote‑sensing capabilities, positioning NASA as a ground‑truthing authority for GeoAI modeling and future satellite validation. The awards underscore the agency’s commitment to safety, data quality, and mission readiness across its flagship programs.
DEVELOPING STORY
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PRIMARY SOURCES
NASA Ames Stars of the Month: September 2026
NASA · Aaron McKinnon · NASA media usage guidelines; third-party material excluded