HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Dr. Daniel M. Schumacher has been appointed manager of the Science & Mission Systems Office at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.
Under Schumacher’s leadership, the Science & Mission Systems Office develops, operates and executes a diverse portfolio of NASA projects and activities in the field of science and exploration. Just a few of the technology projects and missions falling under the purview of the office are the Robotic Lunar Lander Development Project, FASTSAT, SERVIR, Dawn, Messenger, New Horizons, Hinode, the Chandra X-ray Observatory and cryogenic mirror testing for the next-generation James Webb Space Telescope. The office also is responsible for the Environmental Control and Life Support System and Multi-Purpose Logistic Modules for the International Space Station.
Schumacher, a member of the Senior Executive Service since 2008, leads a team of more than 400 civil service and contractor employees and directs an annual science and technology budget of more than $200 million. The Science & Mission Systems Office includes more than 60 unique programs and projects — some creating new systems, solutions and technologies for future space exploration, and others that concentrate on basic and applied scientific research to improve life on our planet.
The Senior Executive Service is the government personnel system covering top managerial positions across some 75 federal agencies.
From 2008 to his recent appointment, Schumacher served as director of the Office of Strategic Analysis & Communications for the Marshall Center and NASA. Under his leadership, the office developed analysis for strategic decision-making and numerous internal and external communications conduits to communicate to Marshall and NASA stakeholders.
From 2006 to 2008, Schumacher was deputy project manager of the Lunar Lander Project Office at Marshall, where he led early design of the human lander. His prior assignments included serving as manager of the Exploration Flight Projects; manager of X-37 Systems Engineering, Integration and Test; and systems engineer in the 2nd Generation Reusable Launch Vehicle Program. He also completed a developmental assignment in the Office of the Chief Engineer at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
Schumacher began his professional career in 1989 as an aircraft systems engineer with the U.S. Air Force. He later worked in missile defense in both government and industry before joining NASA in 2001.
Schumacher, a native of San Antonio, Texas, earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering in 1989 from Texas A&M University in College Station. He received his master’s degree and doctorate in engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, in 1990 and 2005, respectively.
During his years of federal service, Schumacher has received numerous awards, including an Achievement Medal for Civilian Service in 1998, presented annually by the Department of the Army to honor sustained, superior service or achievement. He is the recipient of several NASA group achievement and special service awards. He has completed management and leadership courses at Georgetown University in Washington, the Center for Creative Leadership and the Harvard Senior Executive Fellows Program, and in 2010 completed the Huntsville/Madison County Leadership Program.
Schumacher, his wife Julie and their two children live in Madison, Ala.
