Capturing the Cosmos: How an Amentum Engineer “Moonlights” to Record History
Today we’re speaking with Ben Bair, an Amentum design engineer working on pressurized fluid systems for NASA’s Artemis moon rocket. He’s been with Amentum for nearly eight years now starting his career off as a starry-eyed intern in his senior year of college.
But get this— Ben also captures history “moonlighting” as a photographer for the Artemis II mission to the moon. Talk about left brain, right brain!
Read on for the backstory on how Ben got started capturing such iconic images…..
Where All Began: Grandpa, a Cruise, and a Camera
I’ve always been a visual person. Growing up, my grandfather always had his trusty camera in hand and as kids often do, I naturally gravitated toward whatever he was into. But the real ‘aha’ moment came later. I was on a cruise (dreamy sunsets and all), but my phone? Completely useless without service. Instead of doomscrolling, I had packed a camera and decided to actually learn how to use it manually. That week turned into a crash course in aperture, shutter speed, and ISO—and, honestly, a newfound love for shooting. From there on, I was hooked.
Once I got a handle on the technical basics of photography, it became all about refining my personal style. There was a lot of practice, trial and error, and—of course—a healthy dose of inspiration from other photographers. I’m always on the lookout for new perspectives: funky shot angles, unique lighting setups, or unexpected techniques that push my creativity.
Why Space? Because Humanity’s Greatest Hits Deserve an Audience
Space and NASA photography have always been a natural passion for me. How much cooler does it get than humans blasting off Earth and heading for the Moon, Mars, and beyond? Space exploration represents the best of what we can do as a species—dreaming big and following through. Plus, on a more personal note, I’m the third generation in my family to work at Kennedy Space Center. Since the dawn of time people have looked up at the stars, and now we are the ones making that leap upwards.
Where My Photos Have Landed (No Pun Intended)
Some of my photos have popped up in Kennedy Space Center’s newsletters, and I’ve had features shared by UCF, my alma mater (Go Knights!), which is always a cool feeling. One quirky fact about my photography journey – it has turned me into a part-time astronomer of sorts. If I’m traveling somewhere I always see if the sun or moon will line up with any landmarks or make sure the night is dark enough to get photos of the stars and Milky Way.
Pro Tips for Aspiring Launch Photographers
If you want to try your hand at capturing rocket launches, here’s my advice. First, nail the basics of settings—day stuff is different from night stuff, obviously. But beyond the technical, don’t be afraid to experiment. Yes, launches generally follow similar trajectories, but your perspective doesn’t have to. Walk around, scout locations, get creative! With launches happening roughly every three and a half days now, you’ll have plenty of chances to perfect your craft.
Want to Follow Along?
If you’d like to tag along on my photography adventures, the best places to find me are on my Facebook page, Bair Witness Photo, or Instagram @Bair_Witness. Whether it’s rockets taking flight or epic landscapes, there’s always a story I’m excited to share.
Keep shooting, keep exploring, and never stop looking up! 🚀📸
