Dan Berlin, Space Launch Systems (SLS) critical systems program manager for Syncom Space Services at Michoud Assembly Facility, received the “Yes, If” award in recognition of his positive approach to managing the refurbishment of the Ederer crane in Michoud Building 110. 

The Ederer crane, known colloquially as “the agency’s crane,” is a specialized crane system used to support NASA’s Artemis program. It is one of only two cranes the U.S. space program utilizes to stack the final rocket assembly and hoist various stage assemblies for SLS testing.

Berlin coordinated the crane refurbishment operation with a “Yes, If” approach, collaborating with engineering, production, safety, security and contractor repair teams. Initial crane repairs included changing the crane gears and cable. During these repairs, Berlin oversaw the diagnosis and correction of a problem with the cable core that had been latent since the crane was installed more than 70 years ago. When the cable’s core was discovered to be defective, he addressed the issue by managing the changing of the cable without severely affecting the production schedule for SLS Core Stage 2. Throughout this process, Berlin ensured the safety and security of all team members working on the repairs without any major incidents or losses to the government.

“Dan should receive this highly prestigious award in recognition of his selfless and tireless endeavors, service to the government and to our nation's space program,” said nominator Miguel De Jesus-Lafuente, Aerospace Technologist and Facility Safety specialist for Marshall Space Flight Center, residing at Michoud.