Mark Elder: Building the Future of Spacewalking for Artemis and Beyond
The Future of Spacewalking: Mark Elder's Vision for Artemis and Beyond
For over 25 years, Mark Elder has played a pivotal role in making human spaceflight safe and possible. As the International Space Station EVA hardware manager in the Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Office within the EVA and Human Surface Mobility Program, he leads the team responsible for the spacesuits, tools, and logistics that keep astronauts protected during spacewalks. His team's work directly supports every EVA, or spacewalk, conducted at the station, ensuring that every excursion is conducted safely and successfully.
A Passion for Space that Began at an Early Age
Mark Elder's passion for NASA began at an early age. When he was little, his parents gave him a book called 'The Astronauts,' which had drawings of a reusable spacecraft—the space shuttle—and he fell in love with it. From then on, he told everyone he was going to work at NASA. This dream took off at age 16, when he attended Space Academy in Huntsville, Alabama. "That cemented my dream of someday working at NASA, and it taught me a little bit more about the different roles within the agency," he said.
From Student to Professional: Mark Elder's Journey to NASA
While attending Case Western Reserve University as a mechanical engineering student, he learned about a new NASA program that allowed college students to design and build an experiment and then come to Johnson Space Center for a week to fly with their experiment on the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker. "I jumped on the chance to be part of the team," he said. "The experience further cemented my dream of working at NASA one day—Johnson in particular." After graduation, Elder worked with Pratt & Whitney on jet engines. While the experience was invaluable, he knew his heart belonged in human spaceflight. "I learned that one of Pratt's fellow companies under the United Technologies umbrella was Hamilton Sundstrand, which was the prime contractor for the spacesuit," he said. "I jumped at the chance to transfer, and my career at NASA finally began."
Early Years at NASA: Tool-to-Tool Fit Checks and Shuttle Return-to-Flight
Elder spent his first three years at Johnson performing tool-to-tool fit checks on spacewalking equipment, giving him hands-on experience with nearly every tool that he would eventually become responsible for as a hardware manager. His early years coincided with the shuttle return-to-flight era, when he worked on reinforced carbon-carbon panel repairs and thermal protection systems. Those experiences built his technical foundation and prepared him for the leadership roles to come.
Leadership and Innovation: Developing the EVA Long Life Battery
Over time, Elder took on increasingly complex assignments, eventually leading the team that developed the EVA Long Life Battery—the first human-rated lithium battery used in space. His team created a rigorous test plan to certify the battery for human spaceflight at a time when lithium batteries were under scrutiny for safety concerns. "Finally signing the certification paperwork was satisfying, but watching an EVA powered by the batteries provided a great sense of pride," he said. This innovation set the stage for future generations of even safer, higher-capacity batteries that power today's spacewalking operations and will eventually support lunar surface activities.
Leadership Lessons: Listening, Trust, and Positive Intent
Looking back, Elder said some of his greatest lessons came from learning how to lead with purpose. "The great thing about NASA is the highly motivated and dedicated workforce," he said. "When I first became a team lead, I thought success meant making quick decisions and moving fast. I learned that leadership is really about listening. Strong teams are built on trust and open communication." Another defining lesson, he said, has been learning to assume positive intent. "In a place like NASA, everyone is deeply passionate about what they do," he said. "It's easy to misinterpret a disagreement as opposition, but when you remember that everyone is working toward the same goal, the conversation changes. You focus on solving problems, not winning arguments."
The Future of Spacewalking: Artemis and Beyond
Today, Elder's work extends beyond the orbiting laboratory. As NASA prepares for Artemis missions to the Moon, his team's experience maintaining and improving the EMU informs the design of next-generation exploration suits. "The foundation we've built on the space station is critical for the future," he said. "Every tool we've refined, every system we've upgraded—it all feeds into how we'll operate on the lunar surface and eventually on Mars." Elder believes that the key to future success lies in perseverance. He advises the next generation to never stop dreaming. "My path wasn't direct, and it would have been easy for me to give up," he said. "But dreams have a way of guiding you if you don't let go of them."
A Passion for Woodworking: A Reflection of His Approach to Exploration
When he's not supporting those missions, Elder's creativity takes shape in his workshop. "In my spare time, I love woodworking," he said. "Building something useful from a pile of rough-sawn boards helps calm me and gives me a great sense of accomplishment. I love being able to build furniture for my family," he added, after recently finishing a desk for his youngest son. The same patience and precision he brings to woodworking defines his approach to exploration—steady progress, careful craftsmanship, and attention to detail. "As NASA goes to the Moon and Mars, there will be challenges," Elder said. "As long as we keep dreaming, we will see the next generation walking on the Moon and heading to Mars."
