Susan Gattis Turner – a Huntsville, Ala., native — has been named
manager of the Flight Demonstrations Office at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight
Center in Huntsville.
She will play a key role in NASA’s Space Launch Initiative – a program to
develop and test key technologies for the next generation reusable launch
vehicle, which is managed by the Marshall Center. Earlier this year, she
served as deputy manager of Flight Demonstration and Experiments Integration
at Marshall.
In her new role, Turner leads a team of scientists and engineers in testing
space vehicles in Earth’s atmosphere or for space missions.
Turner joined the Marshall Center in 1986, after working for three years as
an engineer for the Directed Energy Directorate at the U.S. Army Missile
Command at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. She served as chief of
Marshall’s Propulsion System Design Branch in 1992, as assistant director of
the Propulsion Laboratory in 1997 and as project manager of the X-37 flight
demonstrator project in 1998.
While working at the Marshall Center, Turner led design efforts
for the National Launch System and future reusable launch vehicles. She has
also worked on the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Motor, the Inertial Upper
Stage propulsion system and the International Space Station.
In 1983, Turner earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from
Auburn University. She earned a master’s degree in engineering in 1990 from
the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where she is currently pursuing a
doctorate in engineering.
During her career at the Marshall Center, Turner has received numerous
awards for exceptional performance including several Special Service Awards,
the Director’s Commendation Award and a NASA Group Achievement Award.
“Growing up with the space program in my backyard was a tremendous influence
on me becoming an engineer,” said Turner. “Being a part of the space
program and the growth of my community is very special.”
A 1979 graduate of Huntsville High School, Turner is the daughter of Anne
and Earl Gattis.
