posted 11-06-2006 01:37 PM               

Astronaut Jim Halsell leaves NASA

Veteran astronaut Jim Halsell, a retired Air Force colonel, is leaving NASA to take a position in the aerospace industry. Selected by NASA as an astronaut in 1990, Halsell flew on five space shuttle missions, commanding three of them. He accumulated more than 1,250 hours in space.

His first spaceflights were as pilot of STS-65 in July 1994 and STS-74 in November 1995. He commanded shuttle mission STS-83 in April 1997, the Microgravity Science Laboratory Spacelab mission, a mission cut short due to problems with one of the shuttle's three fuel cell power generation units. He next commanded the mission that flew the same payload, STS-94 in July 1997, a science flight that focused on materials and combustion research in microgravity. His final mission was as commander of STS-101 in May 2000, a flight to the International Space Station that delivered and installed more than 5,000 pounds of equipment and supplies.

Halsell served as manager of space shuttle launch integration at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., from 2000 to 2002. He also served as the lead of the Space Shuttle Return to Flight Planning Team following the Columbia accident. Most recently, he served as the assistant director for aircraft operations in the Flight Crew Operations Directorate at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

"Jim is a tremendously talented person whose contributions and achievements both in space and on the ground have greatly benefited NASA. We're very sorry to see him leave, but we're glad that he will continue to contribute to the nation's space program in his new position," said Ellen Ochoa, Director of Flight Crew Operations.

posted 11-13-2006 03:12 PM               

Jim Halsell Joins ATK as Vice President and Program Manager of Ares I Upper Stage Team

Alliant Techsystems (ATK) announced today that James Halsell, former NASA Astronaut and space shuttle program launch integration manager, has been named Vice President and Program Manager of the ATK-led Ares I Upper Stage team, based in Huntsville, Alabama.

In September, ATK Launch Systems Group, Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne announced a teaming agreement to join forces in pursuit of NASA's Ares I Upper Stage procurement, planned for early 2007. Halsell's main responsibilities will be to lead the team's Joint Program Office for this effort.

"Jim brings extensive program leadership, technical understanding, and 'hands on' flight experience to this position," said Ron Dittemore, President of ATK Launch Systems Group. "His strong leadership, background and qualifications will be a perfect fit to lead this highly skilled team."

Halsell's background includes more than 20 years of experience working with NASA in various leadership positions. His leadership roles included serving as Manager of Shuttle Launch Integration, leading NASA's Shuttle Return-to-Flight planning team, and most recently serving as Assistant Director for Aircraft and Flight Crew Operations. As an astronaut, Halsell flew on five Space Shuttle flights, two of which he served as pilot and three as the commander, logging over 1,250 hours in space.

The three companies have developed a complementary relationship for this Upper Stage effort, and will leverage their experience, capabilities and expertise on NASA Human Space Flight programs to provide the Ares I project a springboard to minimize program costs, maintain aggressive development and test schedules, and reduce the technical risk going forward.

As a team, the three companies are natural partners for this upper stage effort because of the Ares I work already under way — and the interrelationships between those efforts.

The Ares I team members possess unparalleled experience in system and subsystem design, development, manufacturing, integration, test, and risk management for human-rated hardware and have participated in every U.S. human space flight program in some capacity throughout NASA's history. That experience, coupled with new state-of-the-art processes and technologies, will provide the necessary elements to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

"By combining our core competencies and working together in a seamless manner, along with our current roles on the Ares I program, we can significantly reduce integration issues and system complexity — and help NASA achieve the Vision for Space Exploration at this critical point in the program. Jim Halsell will be key to enabling our success," added Dittemore.

Halsell began his career in the U.S. Air Force as an F-4 pilot qualified in conventional and nuclear weapons delivery. He later became a test pilot and flew the F-4, F-16 and SR-71 aircraft. He holds a bachelor of science in engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy, a master of science in management from the Troy University and a master in science in space operations from the Air Force Institute of Technology.

posted 10-12-2011 08:28 PM               

Dynetics Hires Former Astronaut Jim Halsell

Dynetics officials announced today that Jim Halsell, former NASA astronaut and retired Air Force colonel, will join the company as technical director in the space division. Halsell, whose most recent position was vice president of Safety and Mission Assurance at ATK, will manage advanced space transportation projects for Dynetics.

A five-flight shuttle veteran, Halsell has logged more than 1,250 hours in space. He was the pilot on STS-65 and STS-74, and commander of STS-83, STS-94 and STS-101. He served as NASA director of operations at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, and as manager of Shuttle Launch Integration for Kennedy Space Center in Florida. He led NASA's Space Shuttle Return-to-Flight Planning Team after the Columbia accident and served as assistant director for spaceflight training and aircraft operations, Flight Crew Operations Directorate.

Halsell began his career in the U.S. Air Force in 1979. As an F-4 pilot qualified in conventional and nuclear weapons deliveries, he performed test flights in F-4, F-16 and SR-71 aircraft. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in general engineering and obtained a master's degree in Space Operation at the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base. Previously, he served as a fighter pilot and strike package commander at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas and Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Ga.

Halsell graduated first in his test pilot school class and was awarded the Liethen/Tittle Trophy. Other awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the NASA Space Flight Medal (four times), the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal (two times).

"Jim brings rare hands-on human-rated test flight, operations experience and managerial experience that will be invaluable to Dynetics' space hardware programs," said Steve Cook, director of space technologies.

Dave King, Dynetics executive vice president, added, "We are very fortunate to have someone of Jim's caliber join us. With his experience flying high performance aircraft and commanding space shuttle missions and test flying SR-71 aircraft, he will greatly enhance our already impressive team of aviation and space professionals. We continue to add members to our team with skills in multiple technical and operational areas from both the government and commercial sectors."