Engineer Mike Lauer: Bridging Science Fiction Dreams and Real-World Space Exploration
Mike Lauer, an accomplished engineer at the Aerojet Rocketdyne division of L3Harris Technologies, finds his career motivation rooted in the imaginative realm of science fiction. Yet, when it comes to executing intricate space programs, he relies heavily on his extensive real-world experience.
Growing up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Lauer spent many chilly winter evenings in the basement of his family home, sketching iconic space hardware inspired by Hollywood’s space-themed movies. "That really is what got me into it," he reflects, recalling his early fascination with space.
Today, Lauer is at the forefront of managing the production of the RS-25 main engines, a crucial component of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS). This heavy-lift vehicle is set to return U.S. astronauts to the Moon under NASA’s ambitious Artemis program. Faced with the immense scale and complexity of the project, Lauer often reminisces about his early career days when he contributed to the design of hardware for the International Space Station (ISS). Now, more than thirty years into its mission, the ISS stands as a testament to what once seemed insurmountable.
Reflecting on those days, Lauer shares, "It just seemed to me that there’s no way this was going to work, but we just kept building and solving problems, and the next thing you know, we’re launching space station parts. Having that experience of seeing a program that seemed too big, too complex, and it worked, gives me great hope and confidence that we can do it again with Artemis."
Lauer’s connection to space exploration is deeply personal, with family ties to the field. His father, Don Lauer, led the U.S. Geological Survey’s Earth Resources Observation and Science Center in Sioux Falls. This center is a repository for data gathered by NASA’s Landsat satellites, which have been capturing images of Earth’s surface for decades. Don Lauer even spent time at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, delving into astronauts’ roles in Earth observation from space.
These familial influences, combined with his artistic fascination with fictional spacecraft, guided Mike Lauer toward a career in aeronautical and astronautical engineering. He pursued both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in the field at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. Lauer sees a strong connection between engineering and art, noting, "With engineering in general, there’s a connection with art. We create these things that have an artistic aesthetic to them, which is really cool."
The word "cool" frequently punctuates Lauer’s descriptions of his career journey, and understandably so. As a licensed pilot, he has enjoyed numerous unique experiences. For instance, he once took part in a space station assembly rehearsal alongside veteran astronaut Jerry Ross at Johnson’s Neutral Buoyancy Facility. This massive pool is used to train astronauts for spacewalks. Lauer recalls, almost incredulously, "I’m in this spacesuit and Jerry Ross is in this spacesuit and we’re plugging in elements of the space station. Oh my gosh!"
Lauer’s career has also seen him serve as the lead engineer on Aerojet Rocketdyne’s Multi Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator program. This device, fueled by Plutonium 238, continues to power NASA’s Curiosity rover on Mars. Lauer had the opportunity to visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory to witness the loading of this nuclear fuel, describing the experience as "super cool."
Lauer’s next career step was a natural progression. Given Aerojet Rocketdyne’s legacy in building the engines for NASA’s iconic Saturn V Moon rocket, he decided to delve into the propulsion side of aerospace engineering. He initially worked on the J-2X engine, a modernized version of the Saturn V’s second stage engine. This engine, although ultimately replaced with a different design, successfully passed a series of rigorous hot-fire tests, demonstrating Lauer and his team’s ability to blend historical designs with modern engineering advancements.
Currently, as the RS-25 program director, Lauer is focused on another iconic engine. Originally designed for NASA’s now-retired Space Shuttle, the RS-25 is undergoing updates and redesigns to meet new requirements and reduce production costs. The SLS has already completed its first uncrewed mission, but future missions will carry astronauts, adding a profound sense of pride and responsibility for Lauer.
"I’m awed and inspired by what we’re doing," Lauer says, describing his work as "really cool."
Outside of his professional endeavors, Lauer volunteers as a pilot for the Civil Air Patrol. In this role, he supports the U.S. Air Force with search and rescue, disaster relief, and fire damage assessment missions. These activities keep him occupied during weekends when he isn’t refereeing youth soccer games.
Looking to the future, Lauer eagerly anticipates the moment when four NASA astronauts return safely to their recovery ship after completing the first human Moon landing in over fifty years. This milestone will not only mark a significant achievement for NASA but also fulfill a lifelong dream for Lauer, who has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of space exploration.
For those interested in learning more about the individuals contributing to the Artemis program, NASA’s website offers additional features and stories that provide deeper insight into the people behind the mission.
Read more about the Artemis program and its contributors on NASA’s official website.
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