Kennedy Space Center Director James W. Kennedy recently announced that Dennis A. Kross was selected as Space Shuttle Deputy Program Manager at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Kross will assume his new role April 19. In this capacity, he is responsible for all aspects of Space Shuttle preparation, launch, and return of the orbiter to KSC following flight.
Joining KSC from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., Kross served as the Director of the Space Transportation Directorate since 2000. Last year, he was selected to lead the efforts associated with the External Tank Return to Flight Team.
“We are delighted to have Denny join the team here at KSC and welcome him to Florida,” said Kennedy. “His extensive understanding of the Space Shuttle Program, coupled with his superior leadership abilities, will be a tremendous asset in ensuring the Shuttle fleet is safely returned to flight.”
Kross began his NASA career in 1967 as a Structural Dynamics Engineer at the Propulsion and Vehicle Engineering Laboratory at MSFC. Over the last 30 years, Kross has served in numerous roles in both the Space Shuttle and International Space Station Programs at NASA Headquarters, Johnson Space Center in Houston, and MSFC.
During the past 10 years, Kross held critical positions such as Manager, Engineering Systems Department; Manager, International Space Station Vehicle Office; Technical Lead, ISS; and Level II Space Station Chief Engineer.
“I could not be more pleased that Denny accepted the position of Deputy Program Manager,” said Bill Parsons, NASA’s Space Shuttle Program Manager. “This is a pivotal position as we move toward Return to Flight, and I have the utmost confidence that he is the right person to lead the Program at KSC.”
Kross is the recipient of many distinguished NASA awards, including the Meritorious Executive Award, NASA Exceptional Service Medal, Space Flight Honoree Award, Exceptional Engineering Achievement and Silver Snoopy Award.
Formerly of Detroit, Mich., Kross holds a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in engineering mechanics from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
