Madison Schmaltz, a 2019 Dover Area High School graduate, served as a NASA test conductor for the Artemis II mission, helping move the rocket and run critical ground tests during the countdown. She described the final minutes before launch as surreal and said the experience revived childhood memories of visiting Kennedy Space Center. York County Commissioner Julie Wheeler praised Schmaltz on Facebook as an inspiration for girls considering STEM. Schmaltz plans to continue highlighting the behind-the-scenes teams who made the mission possible.
Dover Grad Madison Schmaltz Praised After Key Role in Artemis II Launch
Matt Klinedinst
Madison Schmaltz, a 2019 graduate of Dover Area High School, is being celebrated for her work as a NASA test conductor on the Artemis II mission as the crew returns to Earth following their trip to the Moon. Schmaltz helped move the rocket to and from the launch pad and served as a ground test conductor during the countdown for Wednesday night’s launch.
Her teammates described the launch as a blend of precision, pressure and pride. Schmaltz called the experience surreal, especially in the final minutes before liftoff.
“Leading up to all the hours, everything was holding steady, I’m calm, everyone is calm. But when you get to T-minus 10 minutes, we’re getting ready to go and you can feel the room is dead silent,” Schmaltz said.
Memories and Meaning
Schmaltz said the moment brought back childhood memories of visiting Kennedy Space Center with her parents and trying an Apollo rocket simulator as a kid. The sights and sounds of the launch control center revived the excitement she felt then, amplified by the real responsibility of helping execute a human spaceflight mission.
“You hear the rockets against the actual fire room windows and launch control center, and I’m hearing it again, and it was that same feeling I had when I was younger but on steroids times a thousand,” she said.
Community Pride and Inspiration
York County President Commissioner Julie Wheeler highlighted Schmaltz on Facebook Wednesday night, calling her accomplishments an inspiration for girls and young people exploring STEM careers.
“I think it’s really important that young women out there realize that there are all kinds of careers in the STEM-related field, and looking at Madison and what she’s been able to accomplish is inspiring,” Wheeler wrote.
Looking Ahead
As Artemis II returns, Schmaltz says she plans to keep spotlighting the many behind-the-scenes teammates whose expertise and discipline made the launch possible. “We needed every single person and every single procedure and every single test in order to execute this mission,” she said, underscoring the collaborative nature of modern spaceflight.
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