posted 06-19-2017 09:05 AM               

Orbital ATK Names Rick Mastracchio as Senior Director of Operations for Commercial Resupply Services

Former NASA Astronaut Brings Unique Human Spaceflight Experience to Company's Space Systems Group

Orbital ATK, a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies, today announced that Mr. Rick Mastracchio has joined the company's Space Systems Group as the Senior Director of Operations for the Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) program, which relies on commercial providers to deliver vital cargo to the International Space Station. As a member of the Advanced Programs Division's Human Space Systems team based in Dulles, Virginia, Mastracchio will be responsible for managing the CRS Mission and Cargo Operations teams. He will also support other Human Space Systems programs, including Orbital ATK's exploration pursuits beyond low earth orbit.

"We are thrilled to welcome Rick Mastracchio to Orbital ATK," said Frank DeMauro, Vice President and General Manager of Orbital ATK's Advanced Programs Division. "With his experience as an astronaut and his time spent on the International Space Station, Rick brings a unique understanding of human space flight, making him an invaluable resource for our human space flight endeavors."

Prior to joining Orbital ATK, Mastracchio had an impressive career as a NASA astronaut. He was selected as an astronaut candidate in August 1996 and flew as a mission specialist on three space shuttle flights: STS-106, STS-188 and STS-131. He also spent time on the space station as part of Expedition 38/39 and was on the orbiting laboratory when Orbital ATK's first Cygnus resupply spacecraft under the CRS contract berthed with the station. Mastracchio has logged 228 days in space, including nine spacewalks totaling 53 hours.

Mastracchio also held several roles within NASA. Before he was selected as an astronaut, he worked as an ascent/entry Guidance and Procedures Officer in Mission Control, supporting 17 missions as a Flight Controller. After returning from the space station, he worked as the Cockpit Design Lead on Orion and as the Constellation Deputy Branch Chief.

Mastracchio holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of Connecticut, as well as master's degrees in electrical engineering from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and physical science from the University of Houston.

posted 06-21-2017 05:44 PM               

Astronaut Rick Mastracchio Departs NASA

Veteran NASA astronaut Rick Mastracchio has retired from NASA; his last day with the agency was June 16.

"Rick is a classmate and a friend and he has done great work for NASA, both in space and on the ground," said Chief Astronaut Pat Forrester, who was selected as an astronaut in the same class as Mastracchio. "His breadth of experience over three decades in human spaceflight will serve him well as he moves on to his next endeavor."

Beginning in 1987, Mastracchio worked first with Hamilton Standard and then with Rockwell Shuttle Operations Co. before coming to NASA in 1990 as an engineer. He worked in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory on space shuttle flight software, and in the Astronaut Office on ascent and abort procedures for crew members. From there, he became a Guidance and Procedures Officer flight controller, working in mission control for space shuttle ascents and entries, before being selected as an astronaut in 1996.

As an astronaut, Mastracchio logged 228 days in space on three space shuttle missions and one long-duration stay at the International Space Station. His first flight, STS-106, came in 2000, on board space shuttle Atlantis, when he and his crewmates worked to prepare the space station for its first expedition crew. He returned aboard space shuttle Endeavour for STS-118 in 2007, when as lead spacewalker, he participated in three spacewalks to install a new truss segment, a new gyroscope and a new spare parts platform on the space station's exterior.

In 2010, Mastracchio was part of the STS-131 crew of space shuttle Discovery. He performed another three spacewalks and helped deliver 27,000 pounds of hardware, including three experiment racks and new sleeping quarters for the space station. He was then able to put the hardware to use in 2014, when he spent 188 days in space as part of the Expedition 38 and 39 crews. During that stay, he performed three more spacewalks, leaving him with a total of 53 hours spent outside the space station on nine spacewalks.

Mastracchio was born in in Waterbury, Connecticut. He holds a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of Connecticut, and two master of science degrees in electrical engineering and physical science, from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, and University of Houston-Clear Lake, respectively.