Richard Spolzino, a systems engineer at NASA's Langley Research Center, is focused on identifying what the agency does not yet know about returning to the Moon and Mars. Rather than chasing titles or specific missions, he seeks to ensure that missing technical information is identified and addressed before it impacts mission planning. At Langley, he works within the Moon Base mission architecture and systems interoperability effort, where his role centers on documenting and prioritizing data gaps — formal records of unresolved technical questions that could affect mission success.
Spolzino began his academic path as a history major before switching to physics at Santa Clara University. A research experience at Lick Observatory studying interstellar dust polarization led him to reconsider his trajectory, ultimately steering him toward aerospace engineering. He later pursued graduate studies at the University of Houston, focusing on space architecture — not as a designer of habitats, but as a systems integrator who understands how components like life support, robotics, and power systems interconnect. This systems-level perspective became central to his work at NASA.
He did not initially aspire to work for NASA. A program with ties to Johnson Space Center introduced him to the agency as one of several career options. What ultimately attracted him was not institutional prestige, but the scale of the challenges and the opportunity to contribute early in his career to decisions shaping lunar exploration. He noted that NASA’s structure allows early-career employees to take on responsibilities beyond their formal job descriptions, a contrast to more hierarchical industry environments.
Spolzino’s primary focus is on closing knowledge gaps — documented uncertainties that could jeopardize mission planning. These gaps include technical questions such as the load-bearing capacity and shear strength of lunar regolith, or moon dust. Answering such questions informs everything from rover mobility to habitat foundation design. His team has formalized these gaps into actionable targets, enabling industry and international partners to align their contributions with NASA’s priorities. Last year, the team identified around 25 gaps; by year’s end, they expect to have cataloged approximately 60.
The practical impact of this work became evident in two recent collaborations. When Astrobotic Technology (formerly part of the Google Lunar XPRIZE) prepared its Griffin-1 lunar lander mission, Spolzino’s team did not advise on instrument selection — those were already defined — but instead helped prioritize which data should be transmitted first through limited communication bandwidth. He emphasized the need to determine which measurements are most critical when only a fraction of collected data can be sent back to Earth.
His team also evaluates proposed scientific instruments and technologies against published data gaps to assess their relevance. Proposals that align with documented needs are more likely to advance in review, while those that do not face greater scrutiny. Industry partners have adapted to this framework, often required to demonstrate how their contributions address specific gaps before further discussion.
Spolzino reflects that his early assumption — that NASA possessed complete knowledge of lunar systems — has been replaced by a more nuanced understanding. He now sees the agency as one that actively works to fill knowledge gaps through collaboration and iterative problem-solving. This culture, he says, creates opportunities for early-career professionals to contribute meaningfully, even without decades of specialized experience.
His advice to students interested in space careers is pragmatic: academic performance matters less than tangible project experience. He encourages involvement in hands-on initiatives, club projects, or open-source space-related work, emphasizing that demonstrable results carry more weight than credentials. Building something real, he says, is the best preparation for contributing to complex endeavors like lunar exploration.
Outside of work, Spolzino has cited science fiction and simulation games as formative influences. He was reading Liu Cixin’s *The Dark Forest* during a diverted flight from New York to Houston and remained engrossed despite delays. He also credits *Kerbal Space Program*, a rocket-building simulation, with sparking his early interest in orbital mechanics and systems engineering, long before formal study began.