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Three Generations, One Mission
Building the Tanks That Propel Spaceflight
By Lauren Sarmir
At Northrop Grumman's manufacturing floor in Commerce, California, it's common to hear things like, “Oh, that one's bound for Jupiter," or “That one is headed to Neptune." For the employees, it might be routine — but every step through these halls is also a walk through the history of American space exploration.
Originally founded in 1963 as Pressure Systems Incorporated (PSI), the Commerce site in Southern California has since gone through several acquisitions, and in 2018 became a part of Northrop Grumman. Over six decades, its teams have produced more than 7,000 propulsion tanks that have visited every planet in the solar system — and even the sun. A spacecraft's propulsion tank is a specially designed container to store fuels and oxidizers, propellants and provides the necessary force for in-space adjustments.
Among those who've helped make these missions possible: three generations of the Debreceni family, who have contributed a combined 98 years of service to the company.
For me, it's the pride and integrity of the work I do and the products we build. What we build is so special and serves missions all over the globe.
An Accidental Connection
In 1986, Michael J. Debreceni joined the team, despite a near case of mistaken identity, when a recruiter accidentally reached out to his son, with whom he shares the same name. This kickstarted a 19 year-long career at Northrop Grumman.
In 1993, Michael's son, Mike, joined the team in Commerce, as well. The father-and-son duo expanded the company's propulsion tank business into Japan, and they worked on one of the first telecommunications satellite constellations in 1994, for Motorola's first generation of satellite cell phones.
For the Love of Discovery
“I remember sitting on my grandmother's floor in Ohio watching the Apollo 11 Moon landing, and thinking, 'I want to be a part of that.'" said Mike. “I wanted to do something that transcends lifetimes."
Now, that mission continues through his son Aaron, who joined the Commerce site in 2010. His first program team built propulsion tanks for telecommunications satellites, which helped broadcast the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
“It was so cool to sit in my living room, watching soccer matches broadcasted thanks, in part, to some of the hardware that I helped produce," said Aaron. “That feeling never gets old."
He also worked on tanks for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, the Northrop Grumman-built observatory expanding humanity's understanding of the universe.
Aaron never had the chance to work in Commerce with his grandfather, but still feels connected to his legacy.
“For me, it's the pride and integrity of the work I do and the products we build," said Aaron. “What we build is so special and serves missions all over the globe."
Honoring the Legacy
Even now, Mike — who has been at Northrop Grumman for 32 years — often hears stories about his father from longtime colleagues. Those memories, combined with his daily work alongside his son, keep three generations connected through a shared legacy.
“It's incredible that I get the chance to preserve his memory in a unique way, and to be part of carrying that forward with my son," said Mike.
The mission of Northrop Grumman continues to keep the Debrecenis connected, both to each other and a greater goal of pushing the boundaries of possible.
Summary
The Debreceni family’s three generations spanning nearly a century at Northrop Grumman’s Commerce facility illustrate a legacy of dedication, innovation, and pride in building propulsion tanks that have powered missions across the solar system and beyond.
Key Takeaways:
- Over six decades, Northrop Grumman’s Commerce site has produced more than 7,000 propulsion tanks that have supported landmark space missions, including telecommunications satellites and the James Webb Space Telescope.
- The shared commitment of three Debreceni generations highlights how personal legacy and family heritage intertwine with the company’s mission to push the boundaries of space exploration technology.
Life at Northrop Grumman
Your work at Northrop Grumman makes a difference. Whether you want to design next-generation aircraft, harness digital technologies or build spacecraft that will return humanity to the moon, you’ll contribute to technology that’s transforming the world. Check out our career opportunities to see how you can help define possible.
