Thu, Oct 04, 2007
Former Astronaut Will Oversee Ares Development
Alliant Techsystems announced
Thursday Michael J. Bloomfield, former NASA astronaut and deputy
director of NASA flight operations, has been named Vice President,
Constellation Systems in its Launch Systems Group. ATK also
announced the opening of its new office in Houston, TX which will
be headed by Bloomfield.
"Mike brings extensive leadership and technical understanding to
this position," said Ron Dittemore, President of ATK Launch Systems
Group. "Upcoming constellation activities will involve
developmental engineering for the Ares launch vehicles, and Mike
will provide timely and direct support to the NASA Constellation
Program office for the launch vehicle systems for which ATK is
responsible," added Dittemore.
Bloomfield's background includes more than 12 years of
experience working with NASA in various leadership positions
including the chief of safety for the Astronaut Office, chief
instructor astronaut, director of shuttle operations, chief of the
shuttle branch, and most recently as deputy director, Flight Crew
Operations. As an astronaut, Bloomfield flew on three Space Shuttle
flights, logging over 750 hours in space.
Bloomfield began his career in the US Air Force as an F-15 pilot
and later became an F-15 instructor. He is a graduate from the SU
Air Force Academy with a Bachelors degree in engineering mechanics
and later earned a Masters degree in engineering management from
Old Dominion University.
ATK is a $4 billion advanced weapon and space systems company
employing approximately 16,500 people in 21 states. The company is
working to develop the first stage Ares I and Ares V launch
vehicles. The Ares I first stage will be a five-segment solid
rocket booster based on the four-segment design used for the
shuttle, which was also developed and built by ATK.
The basic design will draw on current hardware, facilities and
manufacturing equipment qualified for human-rated solid rocket
boosters.
More News
Chaff Thin, narrow metallic reflectors of various lengths and frequency responses, used to reflect radar energy. These reflectors, when dropped from aircraft and allowed to drift d>[...]
“Today, XB-1 took flight in the same hallowed airspace where the Bell X-1 first broke the sound barrier in 1947. I’ve been looking forward to this flight since founding>[...]
“Teaming up with the EAA and Berlin Express for this event in Cincinnati will give warbird fans a unique opportunity to see the aircraft that helped defend freedom and gave t>[...]
Hazardous Weather Information Summary of significant meteorological information (SIGMET/WS), convective significant meteorological information (convective SIGMET/WST), urgent pilot>[...]
Aero Linx: The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission was created by the 1935 Legislature to oversee the development of aviation in the state. The Comm>[...]