He says he's not a rocket scientist. But, Youngsville native Phillip Hebert is deeply involved in testing rocket engines for NASA's Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Miss.

The Slidell resident shuttles back and forth between Stennis and the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., in his job as an electrical engineer for Engineering and Science Directorate at the Stennis.

And Hebert's efforts were recognized June 14 with NASA's Exceptional Service Medal.

The award is a prestigious one, said Paul Foerman, a spokesperson for Stennis.
"The medal's awarded to someone in federal service for significant contributions to improving efficiency and financial savings in the science and technology that contribute to NASA's mission," he said.

Hebert received the award for his work as co-electrical lead on the Integrated Powerhead Demonstrator System test project and as engineer on the High Speed Data Acquisition System in Stennis' E Test Complex.

Hebert's innovative approach helped to ensure the success of the Integrated Powerhead System and in the feedline flowliner of the space shuttle's main engine, according to information from NASA.

"His work was key in resolving electrical issues," Foerman said. He added that rocket engines are developed at the Marshall Space Flight Center, built elsewhere and tested at Stennis.

The next project for Stennis, the country's largest rocket engine testing complex, where shuttle engines have been tested since 1975, will be testing for the Constellation Program, which seeks to return humans to the moon, Foerman said.

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Judy Bastien
jbastien@theadvertiser.com