Ronald D. Dittemore, a 26-year NASA veteran, today announced his
intention to step aside as the Space Shuttle Program Manager at the
Johnson Space Center in Houston to pursue other opportunities.
Dittemore, who has served as the Shuttle program manager for more than
four years, will remain in his current position until the Columbia
Accident Investigation Board finishes its investigation and a complete
“Return to Flight” path has been established.
“My decision to leave the Space Shuttle Program has been a very
difficult one, but it is a decision that I began struggling with long
before the tragedy of the Columbia accident,” Dittemore said. “The
timing of my departure is based on what I believe will allow for the
smoothest management transition possible, as the pace of work to return
the Shuttle to flight begins to ramp up.”
Dittemore made the announcement in Washington with Michael Kostelnik,
Deputy Associate Administrator for the Space Shuttle and International
Space Station Programs. Kostelnik praised Dittemore’s dedication and
professionalism.
“For more than a quarter-century, Ron has been an integral part of the
Space Shuttle program. He helped create many of the processes and
procedures we follow today,” added Kostelnik. “I’m pleased Ron has
decided to stay until our Return to Flight efforts are well
established, and I wish him the best as he begins a new chapter in his
life.”
Dittemore first joined NASA in 1977 as a propulsion systems engineer,
responsible for the development and implementation of operations
procedures for the Space Shuttle orbital maneuvering and reaction
control systems.
In 1985, he was selected as a Space Shuttle Flight Director,
responsible for the overall leadership and direction of Space Shuttle
missions, as the leader of the flight control team located in the
Mission Control Center.
In 1993, he joined the Space Shuttle Program Office as the Deputy
Manager for the Space Shuttle Program Integration and Operations
Office, responsible for the integration, engineering and operation of
all Shuttle payloads. He also served as the Manager, Space Shuttle
Program Integration, where he was responsible for the overall
integration and conduct of Space Shuttle flights, including serving as
chairman of the flight Mission Management Team.
In 1996, Dittemore was selected as the Manager, Space Shuttle Vehicle
Engineering Office, where he directed the design, development,
modification, certification, and test of the orbiter vehicle, flight
software, and flight crew equipment. He was selected as Space Shuttle
Program Manager in 1999. As Manager, Space Shuttle Program, Dittemore
is responsible for the overall management, integration and operations
of the Space Shuttle Program. This includes development and operations
of all Space Shuttle elements, as well as the facilities, required to
support ground processing and flight operations.
His awards include two Senior Executive Presidential Rank Awards for
Distinguished Executive and Meritorious Executive; the NASA Outstanding
Leadership Medal; the NASA Exceptional Service Medal; and Johnson Space
Center’s highest award, the Certificate of Commendation.
Dittemore graduated in 1970 from Medical Lake High School in Medical
Lake, Washington; received a bachelor of science in aeronautical and
astronautical engineering from the University of Washington in 1974 and
a Master of Science degree in aeronautical and astronautical
engineering from University of Washington in 1975.
A memorandum from Dittemore, announcing his decision to leave, is
available on the Internet at:
http://www.nasa.gov/news/highlights/dittemore.html
For information about human space flight, the Space Shuttle and
International Space Station programs on the Internet, visit:
