Chris Singer has been appointed co-deputy director of the Engineering
Directorate at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.

In his new position, Singer will help lead the Marshall directorate
responsible for the design, testing, evaluation and operation of hardware
and software associated with space transportation, spacecraft systems,
science instruments and payloads being developed at the Marshall Center.

Singer will share leadership of several major NASA programs with the
directorate’s co-deputy, Teresa Vanhooser. The directorate also supports
payload and science operations for the International Space Station, assists
in training crews to operate Space Station science experiments and operates
the control center for those experiments.

“This new role has many exciting opportunities and challenges that I look
forward to being a part of,” said Singer. “The work being done in the
Engineering Directorate is critical to the Vision for Space Exploration,
which starts with safely returning the Shuttle to flight and completing the
International Space Station.” The Vision calls for NASA to return humans to
the Moon, then travel to Mars — and beyond.

Singer, a native of Nashville, Tenn., previously served as acting director
of the Marshall Center’s Space Transportation Directorate.

A 1983 graduate of Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tenn., he
earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He joined the Marshall
Center in 1983 as a rocket engine specialist in the Structures and
Propulsion Laboratory. Eight years later, Singer led the Liquid Propulsion
team responsible for the design, testing and flight of large,
liquid-propelled rocket engines, such as the Space Shuttle Main Engine.

In 1992, Singer began a year-long term at NASA Headquarters in Washington as
senior manager for the Space Shuttle Main Engine and External Tank in the
Space Shuttle Support Office.

In 1994, Singer returned to the Marshall Center as technical assistant to
the Space Shuttle Main Engine project manager, supervising development and
implementation of safety improvements and upgrades to Shuttle propulsion
components. Four years later, he was named Space Shuttle Main Engine Chief
for Requirements and Integration. In 2000, he was appointed chief engineer
in the Space Transportation Directorate. Two years later, Singer was named
deputy director of Space Transportation. He was named acting director in
2003.

Singer received the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal in 2001 for his
leadership abilities, technical contributions and exceptional service as
deputy of the Space Transportation Directorate. He received Marshall Center
Director’s Commendations in 1988 and 1995 for his work with the Space
Shuttle main engine. In 1989, Singer was presented with a Silver Snoopy
Award by the Astronaut Corps for his contributions to the success of human
space flight missions.
Singer, his wife Jody and their three children live in Decatur, Ala.