From Langdon to the Moon

Johnson compared many of those moparachute
Chris Johnson, standing center, poses with members of the Artemis I recovery team aboard a U.S. Navy vessel following the successful splashdown and recovery of the Orion spacecraft in 2022. Johnson served as part of the Air Operations team during the mission. Photo courtesy of NASA
Chris Johnson, standing center, poses with members of the Artemis I recovery team aboard a U.S. Navy vessel following the successful splashdown and recovery of the Orion spacecraft in 2022. Johnson served as part of the Air Operations team during the mission. Photo courtesy of NASA

Local graduate helps lead NASA's return to deep space

From a small-town upbringing in northeastern North Dakota to helping lead NASA's return to the moon, Chris Johnson's journey is proof that big dreams can begin in unexpected places. The son of longtime Langdon residents John and Kathie Johnson, the 1991 Langdon High School graduate now serves as deputy manager for NASA's Orion Program Hardware P…