NASA’s Space Shuttle Program Manager, William Parsons
announced today Michael Rudolphi has been named manager of the Space
Shuttle Propulsion Office at NASA’ s Marshall Space
Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Ala., effective December
1, 2003.
Rudolphi replaces Alex McCool, who is serving as a Special
Advisor to MSFC Director David King. Rudolphi served as the
Interim Director at NASA’s Stennis Space Center (SSC), Miss.
since July 2003, managing NASA’s rocket propulsion test
capabilities and Earth Science applications.
In his new position, Rudolphi assumes responsibility for the
manufacture, assembly and operation of the primary Space
Shuttle propulsion elements: the main engines, external tank,
solid rocket boosters and reusable solid rocket motors.
“Overseeing the Space Shuttle’s propulsion system is a
critical and challenging responsibility, and ‘Rudi’ has the
experience and leadership skills to be very successful at it.
His selection will enhance the long-standing collaboration
between the Stennis and Marshall Centers. It also promotes
senior executive mobility within the agency and exemplifies
the One NASA principle,” said Parsons.
“I am delighted to welcome ‘Rudi’ back to the Marshall
Center,” said King. “He is an outstanding manager whose
contribution will be invaluable as we work to safely return
the Space Shuttle to flight.”
Rudolphi began his career with NASA at the Marshall Center in
1988 as Facility Manager for the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor
Project in Luka, Miss. He managed the design, construction and
operation of an ultra-modern rocket manufacturing facility. In
1995 he took a special assignment in the MSFC Resident Office
at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla. He returned to MSFC in
1996 as Chief Engineer of the Solid Rocket Booster Project. He
later served as Solid Rocket Booster Project Manager and as
Manager of the Reusable Solid Rocket Motor Project prior to
becoming Deputy Director at SSC.
> From 1983 to 1988 he served as Field Engineering Manager for
the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in Knoxville, Tenn. In
1982-83 he was Project Engineer for Daniel International in
Fulton, Miss. And from 1972 to 1982 he was a Design
Engineering Supervisor for the TVA.
Rudolphi received a bachelor’s of science degree in civil
engineering in 1971 and a master’s of science degree in civil
and structural engineering in 1975 from the University of
Tennessee. He is a registered Professional Engineer in
Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi.
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