Ron Dittemore
Encyclopedia
Ron D. Dittemore former shuttle program manager of NASA
, is currently the president of ATK Launch Systems Group, formerly known as ATK Thiokol
Propulsion, part of Alliant Techsystems
(ATK), Inc.
, Medical Lake, Washington
in 1970. He received a bachelor's degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering (University of Washington
, 1974) and a master's degree in the same subjects one year later.
at Johnson Space Center (JSC)
in 1977, Ron Dittemore worked as a turboprop/turbofan engine
development engineer in Arizona. While at JSC
, Dittemore held several positions, including flight director
on 11 shuttle
missions, deputy assistant director of the Space Station
Program and manager of Space Shuttle
Program Integration. He assumed the position of manager of the Space Shuttle
Program in 1999.
Dittemore was the Shuttle Program Manager for NASA
at the time of the loss of the Space Shuttle
Columbia
in February 2003. Dittemore announced his resignation from NASA
in April 2003. See http://www.nasa.gov/news/special/dittemore.html
) was selected in December 2005 as the prime contractor for the first stage of NASA
's Ares I
.
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
, is currently the president of ATK Launch Systems Group, formerly known as ATK Thiokol
Thiokol
Thiokol is a U.S. corporation concerned initially with rubber and related chemicals, and later with rocket and missile propulsion systems...
Propulsion, part of Alliant Techsystems
Alliant Techsystems
Alliant Techsystems Inc., most commonly known by its ticker symbol, ', is one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the United States with more than 18,000 employees in 22 states, Puerto Rico and internationally, and 2010 revenues in excess of an estimated...
(ATK), Inc.
Education
Ron Dittemore graduated from Medical Lake High SchoolHigh school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
, Medical Lake, Washington
Medical Lake, Washington
Medical Lake is a city in Spokane County, Washington, United States. The population was 5,060 at the 2010 census. It is home to two mental hospitals, Eastern State Hospital and Lakeland Village.-Geography:...
in 1970. He received a bachelor's degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering (University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
, 1974) and a master's degree in the same subjects one year later.
Career
Before joining NASANASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
at Johnson Space Center (JSC)
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's center for human spaceflight training, research and flight control. The center consists of a complex of 100 buildings constructed on 1,620 acres in Houston, Texas, USA...
in 1977, Ron Dittemore worked as a turboprop/turbofan engine
Jet engine
A jet engine is a reaction engine that discharges a fast moving jet to generate thrust by jet propulsion and in accordance with Newton's laws of motion. This broad definition of jet engines includes turbojets, turbofans, rockets, ramjets, pulse jets...
development engineer in Arizona. While at JSC
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's center for human spaceflight training, research and flight control. The center consists of a complex of 100 buildings constructed on 1,620 acres in Houston, Texas, USA...
, Dittemore held several positions, including flight director
Flight director
The term flight director can refer to any one of the following:* the flight controller of a space flight* the flight director of an aviation navigation system...
on 11 shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
missions, deputy assistant director of the Space Station
Space station
A space station is a spacecraft capable of supporting a crew which is designed to remain in space for an extended period of time, and to which other spacecraft can dock. A space station is distinguished from other spacecraft used for human spaceflight by its lack of major propulsion or landing...
Program and manager of Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
Program Integration. He assumed the position of manager of the Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
Program in 1999.
Dittemore was the Shuttle Program Manager for NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
at the time of the loss of the Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
Columbia
Space Shuttle Columbia
Space Shuttle Columbia was the first spaceworthy Space Shuttle in NASA's orbital fleet. First launched on the STS-1 mission, the first of the Space Shuttle program, it completed 27 missions before being destroyed during re-entry on February 1, 2003 near the end of its 28th, STS-107. All seven crew...
in February 2003. Dittemore announced his resignation from NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
in April 2003. See http://www.nasa.gov/news/special/dittemore.html
Current Occupation
Ron Dittemore is currently retired. Previously, he was the president of ATK Launch Systems Group of Brigham City, Utah. ATK (Alliant TechsystemsAlliant Techsystems
Alliant Techsystems Inc., most commonly known by its ticker symbol, ', is one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the United States with more than 18,000 employees in 22 states, Puerto Rico and internationally, and 2010 revenues in excess of an estimated...
) was selected in December 2005 as the prime contractor for the first stage of NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
's Ares I
Ares I
Ares I was the crew launch vehicle that was being developed by NASA as part of the Constellation Program. The name "Ares" refers to the Greek deity Ares, who is identified with the Roman god Mars...
.