Manuel Retana

Manuel Retana serves as the Orion CBA Project Manager and ISS/Orion ECLSS Sustaining Project Manager at NASA, where responsibilities include managing safety-critical space flight hardware certification activities, ensuring adherence to safety protocols, and supporting flight test readiness for ECLSS hardware. Manuel has held various leadership roles, including chair and secretary of the NASA JSC Hispanic Employee Resource Group, and has contributed to early career perspectives on engineering leadership. Academic credentials include a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, a Master's degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University, and a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno. Manuel's research and professional background encompass significant roles in NASA's engineering projects and a focus on surgical robotics and life support systems.