National Aeronautics and Space Administration officials today named Michael E. Wetmore as the new Launch Integration Manager for the Space Shuttle program. He assumes the responsibilities of this role effective immediately.
“Mike’s technical expertise and high level of energy will be a great asset to the Shuttle program,” said KSC Director Roy Bridges. “His leadership abilities will be an enormous benefit to the Agency helping to develop and implement NASA’s plans for the Shuttle’s return to flight.”
Wetmore is responsible for all aspects of Space Shuttle preparation, launch, and return of the orbiter to KSC following flight. Wetmore succeeds N. Wayne Hale, who was recently assigned as deputy manager, Space Shuttle program. Until a replacement is named, Wetmore will also maintain his current responsibilities as acting director of Shuttle processing at KSC.
“I believe the civil servants and contractors that make up the Space Shuttle program represent one of the greatest teams ever assembled, “Wetmore stated. “I look forward to working with this team to assure a bright future for the Shuttle program.”
Wetmore earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the United States Naval Academy in 1980 and a Master of Business Administration from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1989.
After seven years of active duty in submarine service in the United States Navy, Wetmore began his NASA-KSC career in 1987 as a Shuttle environmental control and life support system engineer. He later served as a Shuttle fuel cells/power reactant storage and distribution engineer in the Shuttle management and operations directorate (later Shuttle processing) at KSC.
He transferred to the directorate’s launch and landing projects office as the lead for resources management; first becoming the senior lead for budgets and contracts, then manager, launch and landing projects office. He became deputy director, processing integration in 1998 and was appointed deputy director of Shuttle processing in 1999. In 2002, he was appointed to his most recent position of director of Shuttle processing.
Wetmore and his wife, the former Kim Sannicandro of Merritt Island, Fla., are the parents of a son, Chris, and a daughter, Julie.
