Allard Beutel<br />Headquarters, Washington November 12, 2003<br />(Phone: 202/358-4769)<br /><br /><br />Jerry Berg<br />Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.<br />(Phone: 256/544-0034)<br /><br /><br />RELEASE: 03-363<br /><br /><br />RUDOLPHI NAMED NASA SPACE SHUTTLE PROPULSION MANAGER<br /><br /><br /> NASA's Space Shuttle Program Manager, William Parsons <br />announced today Michael Rudolphi has been named manager of the Space Shuttle Propulsion Office at NASA' s Marshall Space <br />Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Ala., effective December <br />1, 2003.<br /><br /><br />Rudolphi replaces Alex McCool, who is serving as a Special <br />Advisor to MSFC Director David King. Rudolphi served as the <br />Interim Director at NASA's Stennis Space Center (SSC), Miss. <br />since July 2003, managing NASA's rocket propulsion test <br />capabilities and Earth Science applications.<br /><br /><br />In his new position, Rudolphi assumes responsibility for the <br />manufacture, assembly and operation of the primary Space <br />Shuttle propulsion elements: the main engines, external tank, <br />solid rocket boosters and reusable solid rocket motors.<br /><br /><br />"Overseeing the Space Shuttle's propulsion system is a <br />critical and challenging responsibility, and 'Rudi' has the <br />experience and leadership skills to be very successful at it. <br />His selection will enhance the long-standing collaboration <br />between the Stennis and Marshall Centers. It also promotes <br />senior executive mobility within the agency and exemplifies <br />the One NASA principle," said Parsons.<br /><br /><br />"I am delighted to welcome 'Rudi' back to the Marshall <br />Center," said King. "He is an outstanding manager whose <br />contribution will be invaluable as we work to safely return <br />the Space Shuttle to flight."<br /><br /><br />Rudolphi began his career with NASA at the Marshall Center in <br />1988 as Facility Manager for the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor <br />Project in Luka, Miss. He managed the design, construction and <br />operation of an ultra-modern rocket manufacturing facility. In <br />1995 he took a special assignment in the MSFC Resident Office <br />at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. He returned to MSFC in <br />1996 as Chief Engineer of the Solid Rocket Booster Project. He <br />later served as Solid Rocket Booster Project Manager and as <br />Manager of the Reusable Solid Rocket Motor Project prior to <br />becoming Deputy Director at SSC.<br /><br /><br />>From 1983 to 1988 he served as Field Engineering Manager for <br />the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in Knoxville, Tenn. In <br />1982-83 he was Project Engineer for Daniel International in <br />Fulton, Miss. And from 1972 to 1982 he was a Design <br />Engineering Supervisor for the TVA.<br /><br /><br />Rudolphi received a bachelor's of science degree in civil <br />engineering in 1971 and a master's of science degree in civil <br />and structural engineering in 1975 from the University of <br />Tennessee. He is a registered Professional Engineer in <br />Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi.<br /><br /><br />For more information about MSFC on the Internet, visit:<br /><br /><br />http://www.msfc.nasa.gov<br /><br /><br />For more information about NASA on the Internet, visit:<br /><br /><br />http://www.nasa.gov