posted 07-13-2007 05:33 PM               

Veteran Astronaut Michael Bloomfield Leaves NASA

Veteran astronaut Michael Bloomfield, a three-time space flier and senior manager in the agency's flight crew operations, is leaving NASA.

Bloomfield has served as deputy director of flight crew operations at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston since 2006. Selected as an astronaut in 1994, he piloted two shuttle missions and commanded a third, accumulating more than 750 hours in space. His first flight was as pilot of mission STS-86 in 1997, a mission that docked with the Russian Space Station Mir. Bloomfield flew again as pilot of STS-97 in 2000, an International Space Station assembly mission. His final flight was as commander of STS-110 in 2002, a mission that installed the first piece of the truss structure to the space station.

In NASA's Astronaut Office, Bloomfield also has served in a variety of technical roles, including chief of safety, chief instructor, director of shuttle operations and chief of the shuttle branch.

"In addition to possessing superb operational skills, Mike is an exceptional leader," said Ellen Ochoa, director of flight crew operations at Johnson. "I learned a great deal from watching him command a mission, and I will greatly miss his wise counsel as a key member of our flight crew management team."

Bloomfield, an Air Force colonel, is a Michigan native. He has a bachelor's degree from the Air Force Academy and a master's degree from Old Dominion University.

posted 10-03-2007 04:54 PM               

Mike Bloomfield Joins ATK as Vice President of Constellation Systems

Alliant Techsystems announced today that 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, 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 U.S. Air Force as an F-15 pilot and later became an F-15 instructor. He is a graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a Bachelors degree in engineering mechanics and later earned a Masters degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University.

posted 12-16-2010 08:56 PM               

Michael J. Bloomfield Joins Oceaneering

Oceaneering International, Inc. announced that ex-astronaut Michael J. ("Mike") Bloomfield has joined Oceaneering as its Vice President and General Manager of Oceaneering Space Systems.

Mr. Bloomfield is a veteran Astronaut of three Space Shuttle flights. Selected as a NASA Astronaut in 1994, Mike served as Pilot on STS-86 and STS-jj97 and as Commander of STS-110. While at NASA he also held important positions with the Astronaut Office including Chief of Safety and Chief Instructor Astronaut. Additionally, Mr. Bloomfield was Director of Shuttle Operations and Chief of the Shuttle Branch. He also served as Deputy Director of the Flight Crew Operations Directorate (FCOD) before leaving NASA in 2007 to join ATK as Vice President for Houston Operations. In his new role at Oceaneering, Mr. Bloomfield will lead Oceaneering's Space System Division, where he has responsibility for all aspects of the business.

John Kreider, Sr. Vice-President of Oceaneering Advanced Technologies, said "We are extremely pleased to announce Mike's decision to join Oceaneering. His leadership and direct experience with all aspects of human space flight will be invaluable during this time of transition in space exploration."

Oceaneering is a global oilfield provider of engineered services and products primarily to the offshore oil and gas industry, with a focus on deepwater applications. Through the use of its applied technology expertise, Oceaneering also serves the defense and aerospace industries.