NAL-JSC November First Thursday - NASA Technologies Improving Life on Earth (5 Nov 2026)

Thu, 05 Nov 2026 20:30:00 GMT

Stokes McMillan, a longtime member of NAL and a member of the Board of Directors, will share his insights into an often overlooked benefit we all derive from work done by NASA. Technologies developed by/for NASA over the last nearly 7 decades have greatly enhanced our lives here on Earth!

Stokes McMillan’ began his career at NASA/JSC in 1978 as a Shuttle propulsion instructor on the Shuttle Mission Simulator. As a Prop instructor, he trained the first 25 Shuttle crews. He ultimately rose through the ranks to become a Simulation Supervisor, or Sim Sup where he was responsible for the integrated training for Space Shuttle crews and Mission Control. Stokes was the lead Sim Sup for STS-26, the return to flight after the Challenger accident.

He then served as an Orbiter MER Manager for ten years, interrupted by a stint as the JSC Vehicle Manager of Space Shuttle Discovery. For four years, Stokes served as the Deputy Program Manager for the X-38 Crew Return Vehicle, building a vehicle at JSC that was being designed to serve as the lifeboat for the ISS. Stokes finished his JSC career in the Commercial Crew and Cargo Program Office as the NASA interface to Blue Origin and Sierra Nevada.

After 32 years, he retired from NASA and moved to Colorado for four years where he served as the Director of Training for Sierra Nevada before returning to Texas; he now makes his home in Seabrook.

A Mississippi native, Stokes has a BS in aerospace engineering and an MS in aerophysics, both from Mississippi State University. He and his wife of 48 years have 3 sons, two of whom are US Army Green Berets --- bad like their dad!!

BEFORE: Join fellow retirees for lunch every First Thursday at 12:00 noon at Luby's, 20001 Gulf Freeway, in Webster.

AFTER: Following the program, head on over to the Bluebonnet Pavilion at the Gilruth for the KOTQ -- Keg of the Quarter. The KOTQ will start at 4:00 pm.

Keg Call (14 Nov 2026)

Sun, 15 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT

NASA 65th Anniversary JSC Celebration (19 Nov 2026)

Thu, 19 Nov 2026 23:30:00 GMT

Family Invited

NASA Alumni League - JSC upcoming events

NAL-JSC November First Thursday - NASA Technologies Improving Life on Earth (5 Nov 2026)

Keg Call (14 Nov 2026)

NASA 65th Anniversary JSC Celebration (19 Nov 2026)