Aleli Gonzalez Thorgusen is an award winning photographer, known for her work at Rocketdyne in the 80’s and 90’s. She photographed all aspects of the rocket testing programs for NASA and Department of Defense. She is particularly noted for her work on the Space Shuttle Main Engine program.
In between official assignments Aleli took the time to also photograph the landscape, wildlife, and Native American culture that was present at that Santa Susana Mountains site.
Aleli received the NASA Excellence Award in 1987 for this photograph of the Space Shuttle Main Engine during a test firing on the Coca stand. Rocketdyne managers had serious doubts about placing a camera so close to a firing engine but Aleli designed a safe housing for the camera and got this great photograph.Space Shuttle Main Engine being craned into place for testing on the Coca III test stand.Space Shuttle Main Engine being craned into place for testing on the Coca III test stand.Test firing of the RS27 Engine on the Alfa I test stand.The Alfa test stands were used to test and certify the Redstone and Atlas-Mercury rockets, the vehicles that put Alan Shepherd and John Glenn into space. Here is a day test on Alfa I in June of 1990.Alfa I and III test stands with Simi Valley in the background.Mustard field at the Santa Susana Field Lab.Although not part of her professional responsibilities, Aleli took the time to document the wild nature of the SSFL Lab.Silvernale Pond at the Santa Susana Field Lab.The polychrome cave painting at Burro Flat attests to the celestial wonderings of early Native Americans.Early Native Americans cave painting at Burro Flat.Early Native Americans cave painting at Burro Flat.Ancient grinding area at the Burro Flat Painted Cave.
