NASA'S Exploration Associate Administrator Doug Cooke To Retire

Michael J. Braukus

Headquarters, Washington                               

WASHINGTON -- Doug Cooke, who worked for nearly 38 years in NASA's space shuttle, International Space Station and exploration systems programs, will retire from the agency effective Oct. 3.

Cooke most recently served as NASA's associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD), which is responsible for developing capabilities for sending humans deeper into space. Before retiring, Cooke will serve as deputy associate administrator for the agency's new Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate.

"Doug has been a long-time friend and co-worker since my early days with NASA. His hard work and expertise have been essential to the space shuttle, International Space Station and exploration programs," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. "His leadership has helped NASA open the next great chapter of human spaceflight."

Cooke had postponed his retirement until the consolidation of ESMD and the Space Operations Mission Directorates was complete, providing a good time to transition leadership.

"We've worked through key technical and programmatic decisions on the Orion Multi-purpose Crew Vehicle and the Space Launch System," Cooke said. "I'm confident that NASA is well prepared to face tomorrow's challenges and reach for destinations in our solar system with human explorers and their machines."

For Cooke's complete biography, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/about/cooke_bio.html.

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit http://www.nasa.gov

- end -

NASA Creates Human Exploration And Operations Directorate

Joshua Buck

Headquarters, Washington     

WASHINGTON -- NASA has announced the creation of the Human Exploration and Operations (HEO) Mission Directorate. The new organization, which combines the Space Operations and Exploration Systems mission directorates, will focus on International Space Station operations and human exploration beyond low Earth orbit.

"America is opening a bold new chapter in human space exploration," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. "By combining the resources of Space Operations and Exploration Systems, and creating the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, we are recommitting ourselves to American leadership in space for years to come."

The new organization combines the talents, skills and experiences of the two previous directorates. It more fully integrates the operation of NASA's in-space assets and current capabilities with planning for the agency's future, including the size and type of the work force, facilities and contracts.

While the transition and personnel assignments will take several weeks to finalize, the HEO Mission Directorate already is supporting space station operations. The directorate also will manage commercial crew and cargo developmental programs; construction of the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, a spacecraft designed to travel beyond low Earth orbit; development of a new heavy lift rocket, known as the Space Launch System; and other programs within the directorates.

Associate Administrator Bill Gerstenmaier will head the new organization. He previously served as the associate administrator for Space Operations.

For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit http://www.nasa.gov.

- end -