William H. Gerstenmaier

Infobox Person
name = William H. Gerstenmaier


image_size = 200
caption = NASA's Associate Administrator for Space Operations
birth_date =
birth_place =
death_date =
death_place =
other_names =
known_for =
education = B.S. Aerospace engineering,
M.S. Mechanical engineering
employer = NASA
title = Associate Administrator for Space Operations
residence = Washington, D.C.
nationality = American
predecessor = William F. Readdy
spouse = Marsha Ann Gerstenmaier

William H. Gerstenmaier has been the Associate Administrator for Space Operations for NASA since 2002.Cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/gerstenmaier_bio.html|title=Associate Administrator for Space Operation: William H. Gerstenmaier|accessyear=2007|accessmonthday=September 29|publisher=The National Aeronautics and Space Administration|year=2007|author=NASA|language=English] Cite web|url=https://engineering.purdue.edu/AAE/AboutUs/News/Headlines/WILLIAMHGERSTENMAIERSELECTEDTOLEADNASASPACEOPERATIO|title=William H. Gerstenmaier selected to lead NASA Space Operations|accessyear=2007|accessmonthday=September 29|publisher=Purdue University|year=2002|author=Purdue Engineering Department|language=English] Prior to being Associate Administrator, Gerstenmaier served as the International Space Station Office Program Manager, at Johnson Space Center, a position he began in June 2002.

Early life

Gerstenmaier graduated from Akron East High School in 1973, and followed the early space programs of Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo, as a teenager.Cite web|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AK&s_site=ohio&p_multi=AK&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=108C083CCB2D2FA0&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=East High School Induction|accessyear=2007|accessmonthday=September 29|publisher=Akron Beacon Journal|year=2005|author=Akron Beacon Journal|language=English] He had early dreams of being a test pilot, and after high school, enrolled at the United States Naval Academy. After seeing so many pilots returning from the Vietnam War, he thought he may not get a chance to fly, and chose to reconsider his path. He transferred to Purdue's School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, hoping to get into flight via academics. During his time at Purdue, Gerstenmaier found a great interest in space technology, and chose to focus on this area for his career.Cite web|url=https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr/People/Awards/DEA/DEA_2007/gerstenmaier|title=Head in the Clouds, Feet on the Ground|accessyear=2007|accessmonthday=September 29|publisher=Purdue University|year=2007|author=Purdue Engineering Department|language=English]

Career

Gerstenmaier graduated with a bachelor of science in aerospace engineering in 1977, and joined the John H. Glenn Research Center in Ohio, beginning his career with NASA. Initially doing research with supersonic wind tunnels, developing air data curve information used during entry on the space shuttle. Gerstenmaier continued his education, obtaining his master's degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Toledo in 1981.

In 1980, Gerstenmaier moved to Houston, Texas, to work at the Johnson Space Center, researching propulsion related to the space shuttle, and was involved in the earliest phases of the International Space Station design. In 1988, he first served as manager of Space Shuttle Program Integration, and then went on to serve as head of the Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle Operations Office. Following that, he became Director of Space Shuttle and Space Station Freedom Assembly Operations, and was named Chief of the Projects and Facilities Branch of the Flight Design and Dynamics Division.

In 1992, Gerstenmaier was given a fellowship from NASA to obtain his doctorate degree from Purdue, and in 1992 and 1993, he completed course work for a doctorate in dynamics and control, with emphasis in propulsion at Purdue University. Of the time away from NASA, he said, "It was the most humbling experience of my life."

In 1995, Gerstenmaier returned to NASA as the Shuttle/Mir Program Operations Manager, and was the liaison to the Russian Space Agency for operations and protocols. For the first half of 1996, he was stationed in Russia to support astronaut Shannon Lucid, who spent six months aboard Mir.

In December 2000, Gerstenmaier was named Deputy Manager of the International Space Station Program, and in 2005, he became Associate Administrator for Space Operations.Cite web|url=http://pmchallenge.gsfc.nasa.gov/Docs/Biographyofspeakers/WilliamGerstenmaier.pdf|title=William H. Gerstenmaier, Manager, International Space Station Program|accessyear=2007|accessmonthday=September 29|publisher=NASA|author=NASA|format=.PDF|language=English] Mike Suffredini replaced Gerstenmaier as the International Space Station Program manager.

Awards

Gerstenmaier has twice been awarded the Aviation Week and Space Technology's "Laureate Award" for "Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Space", as well as three NASA "Certificates of Commendation", two NASA "Exceptional Service Medals", a Senior NASA "Outstanding Leadership Medal", and the "Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executives".Cite web|url=http://pmchallenge.gsfc.nasa.gov/Docs/Biographyofspeakers/WilliamGerstenmaier.pdf|title=William H. Gerstenmaier, Manager, International Space Station Program|accessyear=2007|accessmonthday=September 29|publisher=NASA|author=NASA|format=.PDF|language=English]

In 2004, Gerstenmaier was selected as a finalist for the "Service to America" Medal, for "Leading the efforts to continue the safe operation of the International Space Station in the absence of the Space Shuttle, allowing continued research and preservation of its unique capabilities for the future."Cite web|url=http://www.ourpublicservice.org/OPS/pressroom/releases/release_040616_sammiesfinalists.shtml|title=Twenty-Eight Federal Employees Honored for Outstanding National Achievements|accessyear=2007|accessmonthday=September 29|publisher=Partnership for Public Service|year=2004|author=Partnership for Public Service|language=English]

In 2007, The Federation of Galaxy Explorers honored Gerstenmaier with the 2007 "Space Leadership Award", and Purdue University honored him with the "Distinguished Alumni Award", "For outstanding accomplishments in a career dedicated to the human exploration of space and international cooperation in space."Cite web|url=https://engineering.purdue.edu/AAE/AboutUs/News/Publications/Aeroliner/?pp=1|title=Distinguished Engineering Alumni 2007|accessyear=2007|accessmonthday=September 29|publisher=Purdue University|year=2007|author=Purdue University|language=English] Cite web|url=http://www.planetary.org/about/press/releases/2007/0531_Louis_Friedman_to_Receive_Space.html|title=Louis Friedman to Receive Space Education Inspiration Award|accessyear=2007|accessmonthday=September 29|publisher=The Planetary Society|year=2007|author=The Planetary Society|language=English]

References

External links

* [http://www.nasa.gov/ NASA Website]