Brian Hughes, the new director of Launch Operations at Kennedy Space Center, is no stranger to the Space Coast. Having first visited the center at the age of three-and-a-half, Hughes has now returned to lead the launch operations, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his time in the U.S. Air Force, the White House, and as the chief of staff at NASA.

A New Era for Space Exploration

Hughes’ return to the Space Coast comes at a critical time, with NASA aiming to beat China to the lunar surface by landing humans on the moon in 2028. The Artemis III crew was recently announced, and Blue Origin and SpaceX are working on moon landers. Hughes outlined the challenges ahead, including the need for upgrades to the center’s facilities and the importance of building a synergy between the Kennedy Space Center and NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

Hughes also emphasized the need to continue building up the workforce, addressing the previous issues of losing workers to buyouts, budget cuts, and commercial space jobs. He highlighted the importance of insourcing and retaining key talent, with hundreds of new employees set to join the NASA team in the coming weeks.

Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.