Mike Brieden worked for NASA for 28 years, and has many years of experience developing plus managing software systems. He also led and managed teams of NASA engineers who built systems for the Space Shuttle program; he was Avionics, Power, and Software (APS) manager for the Orion Space Vehicle Project, and was software development manager for the International Space Station (ISS). Mike led development of the Space Integrated GPS/INS (SIGI) system, which was a navigation aid that used GPS strap down inertial system technology to assist vehicles in docking, or connecting with the ISS. In order to accomplish all of this work as a professional, Mike studied very hard in college, where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering at Texas A&M University.

While working, Mr. Breiden has always looked for opportunities to expand his knowledge. He attended short courses, certification courses and specialty seminars that gave him extra skills above and beyond his co-workers. That is what it takes to be the very best, and compete for the most awesome opportunities to work on the most complex and challenging projects.

Additional training Mike took included: Managing the Influence Process; 56 hours, DuPont Safety Course; 16 hours; and Project Management Shared Experience; 32 hours. Awards he earned were:

• Rotary National Stellar Award for Space Achievement
• JSC Director's Commendation for outstanding leadership of Cockpit Avionics
• NASA Exceptional Service Medal for outstanding leadership in Shuttle Avionics
• NASA Exceptional Service Medal for significant contributions to Space Station Avionics software
• Silver Snoopy award from the Astronaut Office
• Award of Merit (Manned Flight Awareness)

Today, as Director of Product Development at Intuitive Machines in Houston Texas, Mike is part of a team that concentrates on development of the TRV, or Terrestrial Return Vehicle. His duties include development of spacecraft data processing hardware/software, spacecraft navigation systems, and development of the labs required to certify those systems. His primary experience has been Avionics & Software systems for human rated spacecraft. Having previously led the development of avionics and software systems for the Orion, Shuttle, and Space Station programs has really helped Mike with the Terrestrial Return vehicle. This new TRV project is partially supported by The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), and is modeled after the Space Shuttle; including avionics and software systems with all onboard avionics, power, wiring, and software systems for human rated spacecraft. Mr. Breiden’s company is also building a ground verification facility for avionics & software verification plus integration (systems working together) testing.

The TRV is designed to be stored where humans inhabit the ISS until its services are required. When loaded up with cargo, the TRV is placed in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) airlock where the Cyclops ejection mechanism and the JEM Robotic Manipulator System are used to deploy it. Once released from the ISS, the TRV's guidance and propulsion systems activate and execute a controlled reentry maneuver before the spacecraft’s airfoil deploys and it touches down at a designated spaceport. According to Mr. Breiden, the lift-to-drag ratio of the TRV allows it to act as a lifting body, so it has enough control to land at a desired location for recovery and shipping to the customer.

Since the International Space Station has unique microgravity laboratories and a crew that enables research over a wide range of disciplines from materials science to microbiology, the TRV’s timely return capability will provide controlled conditions and flexible choices for sample analysis when it’s needed. FEDEX in space? No, but it sure seems like it! Who knows what scientists and engineers like Mike Breiden will come up with next when they team with CASIS and think outside the box? The TRV system is scheduled to fly in 2016.