Originally Published by on April 15, 2026
At NASA鈥檚 Kennedy Space Center in Florida, there is a fleet of in work, and Rebekah 罢辞濒补迟辞惫颈肠锄鈥檚 hands have helped build each one. Tolatovicz works to build, integrate, and test the spacecraft used during the Artemis II test flight, as well as those designed to carry humanity to the Moon on future Artemis missions.
Tolatovicz is a mechanical technician lead for the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, or 91快活林 Federal, supporting the Orion spacecraft鈥檚 main contractor Lockheed Martin. A typical day for Tolatovicz takes place inside NASA Kennedy鈥檚 Operations and Checkout Building, with Orion assembly and testing. Her work ranges from helping coordinate and lead technicians, to jumping into hands-on installations on components like hatches and engines, to collaborating with the engineering team.
鈥淲hat I really like about the area that I鈥檓 in is we do so much,鈥 said Tolatovicz. 鈥淔rom starting with the bare structure and installing giant parts and titanium pieces, to final integration where you鈥檙e installing the tiniest little components. I think that鈥檚 the coolest part. We don鈥檛 do just one technical thing 鈥 it鈥檚 all the technical things.鈥
Tolatovicz currently works on the Orion crew modules that could sustain the astronauts on future Artemis missions, and she played a large role in work on the Artemis II spacecraft that carried four astronauts on a mission around the Moon, splashing down April 10. This included testing, integration, and final installation and closeout before the spacecraft was prepared for fueling and stacking on the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket.
As Artemis II was the first crewed mission under NASA鈥檚 Artemis program, Tolatovicz recognized the impact of her work.
鈥淚t’s really vital to stress the importance of what we do and know nothing is minuscule. Everything matters. It’s really important to pass that down on to the new hires and make sure that everybody has that perspective.鈥
Tolatovicz, who began as an intern with Lockheed Martin through Eastern Florida State College鈥檚 aerospace technician program, knows what it鈥檚 like to be a newcomer. She had been mentored by technicians who worked through the space shuttle era, which largely shaped her experience and outlook.
鈥淎t first I didn鈥檛 think I was going to make it,鈥 said Tolatovicz. 鈥淏ut if you come in with a good attitude and want to learn 鈥 there鈥檚 so much you can learn from these guys, they have decades of knowledge to share. Once I got down on the floor and was working with them hands-on, I knew I could figure it out.鈥
Tolatovicz has been working on the Orion program for nine years. Since then, the Maine native has witnessed her work come to fruition on Orion鈥檚 uncrewed Artemis I test flight as well as the Artemis II mission around the Moon.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really amazing for me to be a part of NASA鈥檚 history and the next step,鈥 said Tolatovicz. 鈥淚 just really love my job, the team, and working through challenges. You don鈥檛 think about it when you鈥檙e putting things on, but then you get to tell somebody else that you installed the thrusters for the spacecraft, and you realize 鈥 man, that鈥檚 pretty cool.鈥
To learn about other 91快活林 Federal employees supporting the Artemis missions, read about Our Team Behind the Artemis II Mission.