posted 08-31-2010 04:34 PM               

Astronaut Scott Altman Leaves NASA

NASA astronaut Scott Altman has announced plans to leave the agency. Altman will take a job in the private sector.

Altman, a retired U.S. Navy captain, joined NASA in March 1995. He also has flown four shuttle missions, logging more than 51 days in space. He was the pilot of STS-90 in 1998 and STS-106 in 2000, and was commander of the final two missions to the Hubble Space Telescope, STS-109 in 2002 and STS-125 in 2009.

Altman also performed other technical duties within the agency, including temporary duty to NASA Headquarters as deputy director of the Requirements Division of the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. Most recently, he served as chief of the Exploration Branch of the Astronaut Office.

"Scott has been a tremendous contribution to the astronaut corps and this agency," said Peggy Whitson, chief of the Astronaut Office. "In his 15 years with NASA, he has performed flawlessly and demonstrated leadership in every position he's served. He will be greatly missed."

posted 09-01-2010 09:01 AM               

Veteran Astronaut Joins ASRC Research and Technology Solutions

ASRC Research and Technology Solutions today announced that former NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Capt. Scott Altman has joined ARTS as vice president of strategic planning. A veteran of four space flights, Altman most recently served as chief of the Exploration Branch within the Astronaut Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

In his new position, Altman will lead ARTS' strategic planning process and will focus on leveraging the company's expertise in engineering, information technology and technical services within the space, aviation and defense industries. He will also lead new business initiatives within the commercial space market.

"Scott brings extensive leadership and technical expertise that will help ARTS define our future path as we strive to provide outstanding service to NASA, the FAA, the Navy and other government agencies," said Gregg Einfalt, ARTS president. "As a former Navy pilot and space shuttle commander, Scott lends a unique perspective to our company's vision for future growth within these government sectors and the evolving commercial space market. He will play a key role in executing our strategy for long-term success."

Prior to joining ARTS, Altman had a distinguished career with NASA and the Navy. He has logged more than 7,000 hours in over 40 types of aircraft and was awarded the Navy Air Medal for his role as a strike leader flying over Southern Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch.

Altman has logged more than 51 days in space. He was the pilot on the STS-90 Neurolab science mission in 1998 and the STS-106 mission in 2000 to prepare the International Space Station for arrival of the first permanent crew. He was mission commander on two Hubble Space Telescope servicing missions--STS-109 in 2002 and STS-125 in 2009. Additional NASA assignments included shuttle branch chief for the Astronaut Office, lead for the Cockpit Avionics Upgrade, and temporary duty as deputy director of the Requirements Division of the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters.

Altman has a bachelor's degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from the University of Illinois and a master's in aeronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School.

ASRC Research and Technology Solutions provides a broad range of research, engineering, scientific and product development services to government and industry, including the aerospace, defense, energy and transportation sectors. ARTS, a subsidiary of ASRC Federal Holding Company, is headquartered in Greenbelt, Md.