Nathan Vassberg, NASA’s acting chief of Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA), recently presented Ivan Chavez, structural engineer at Armstrong Flight Research Center, with a “Yes, If” coin in recognition of his commitment to mission success and safety, initiative, and creativity during the X-59 flight test program. 

Chavez receiving "Yes, If" coin from Vassberg

Alejandro Osorio, X-59 SMA lead, nominated Chavez for the award to recognize his response to an emerging issue of solar drift in the X-59 aircraft strain gauges. The issue imposed operations constraints, limiting the efficiency of the aircraft and affecting the proposed Phase 1 schedule. 

X-59: The X-59 is a one-of-a-kind aircraft, featured in NASA’s Quesst mission.
It is demonstrating technology to fly supersonic, or faster than the speed of sound,
without generating sonic booms.

While facing these operational constraints, the Aerostructures team was asked to consider alternative approaches to mitigate solar drift in the strain gauges to allow for more flexible aircraft operations. Many insisted that the current approach to mitigating solar drift was the only option.  

Not happy with just accepting the status quo, Chavez utilized a “Yes, If” approach to recommend and carefully evaluate possible solutions, refusing to dismiss the problem. The team identified new solutions, including evaluating other launch locations, launching earlier in the day and engineering alternatives to the strain gages. 

Not only did Chavez keep an open mind toward finding a solution, but he also elevated concerns for associated hazards, ensuring the team had the information needed to make a fully informed, risk-based decision on how to proceed with flight tests.

“Ivan’s willingness to challenge assumptions, search for new approaches and move the discussion forward has been essential in shifting the team’s outlook from ‘No, because…’ to ‘Yes, if…’,” said Osorio.  “Although the team continues to work toward a solution, the pace and direction of that effort have strengthened significantly because of Ivan’s contributions.”

Chavez’s leadership and focus have prompted the broader Structures team to reengage and work together to pursue creative solutions. This renewed effort is vital for ensuring that X-59 can gather reliable structural data, maintain a strong safety posture and meet the goals of its Phase 1 flight schedule.

Chavez’s actions demonstrate the ingenuity, perseverance and mission-focused mindset that the “Yes, If” coin is designed to recognize. His example has helped strengthen collaboration, improve readiness and reinforce NASA’s culture of innovation and safety.