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For West Virginia Engineer, Home Is Where the Heart Is… and NASA, Too
On Aug. 10, 2026, NASA's Katherine Johnson Independent Verification and Validation Facility swore in 51 new civil servants. The initiative follows a directive from Administrator Jared Isaacman to strengthen the agency's technical core competencies.
Why it matters
Bringing mission-critical technical roles into permanent civil service improves the safety and reliability of spacecraft. This directly impacts the ability to safely return humans to the Moon and establish a lunar base.
The details
- Fletcher Newell identified over 70 issues in Gateway and SR-1 Freedom systems.
- Newell was named IV&V Engineer of the Year in 2025.
- The facility is located in Fairmont, West Virginia.
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Key connections
Katherine Johnson Independent Verification and Validation Facility is a member of NASA
The Katherine Johnson IV&V Facility operates as a program facility under NASA
Wes Deadrick leads Katherine Johnson Independent Verification and Validation Facility
Wes Deadrick serves as the director of NASA's IV&V facility
Fletcher Newell works at NASA
Fletcher Newell serves as a NASA civil servant computer engineer
Fletcher Newell works at Katherine Johnson Independent Verification and Validation Facility
Fletcher Newell works at the Katherine Johnson IV&V facility
Fletcher Newell is a member of Stanford University
Fletcher Newell completed undergraduate and master's degrees in computer science at Stanford University
Center for AI Safety is a member of Stanford University
The Center for AI Safety is a research center at Stanford University
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Fletcher Newell works at Center for AI Safety
Fletcher Newell conducted research on autonomous space docking at Stanford's Center for AI Safety
Katherine Johnson Independent Verification and Validation Facility uses Artificial Intelligence
IV&V evaluates the adoption and safety of artificial intelligence systems for NASA missions
Katherine Johnson Independent Verification and Validation Facility uses Machine Learning
IV&V applies machine learning assurance techniques to spacecraft autonomy
Katherine Johnson Independent Verification and Validation Facility uses Generative AI
IV&V explores integrating generative AI responsibly into mission assurance
Katherine Johnson Independent Verification and Validation Facility uses Terrain Relative Navigation
IV&V assesses the safety of Terrain Relative Navigation for planetary landings
NASA uses Human Landing System
NASA and IV&V verify mission safety and security for the Human Landing System
Related events
NASA's Katherine Johnson IV&V Facility Swears In 51 New Civil Servants
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