SPARKS, Nev., April 08, 2013 – Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is proud to announce that former NASA astronaut Lee Archambault has joined the Dream Chaser team as a chief systems engineer and test pilot. In his new position, Archambault will be responsible for planning and execution of multiple aspects of Dream Chaser’s flight test programs and the design of the crew interfaces in the Dream Chaser cockpit.
"As a crew member on two Space Shuttle missions to the International Space Station (ISS), I was honored to be part of a great NASA team that has made the United States the leader of manned spaceflight,” said Archambault. “Now, as a member of SNC’s Dream Chaser team, I hope to contribute to the design, development, and test of the next U.S. built and launched crewed spacecraft, providing transportation to the ISS for our astronauts. I believe the Dream Chaser will be the safest, most reliable, and preferred method of travel to and from low Earth orbit for years to come."
Prior to joining SNC, Archambault served as a fighter pilot, test pilot, and instructor pilot during a decorated 28-year career with the U.S. Air Force and NASA. NASA selected Archambault as an astronaut in 1998 and he is a veteran of two Space Shuttle missions. He served as the pilot of STS-117 and as commander of STS-119, which delivered the S6 truss segment and continued construction of the ISS. In addition to his space flight experience, his NASA technical assignments included serving as the Astronaut Office Exploration Branch Chief Astronaut Support Person, and spacecraft communicator for several Space Shuttle missions. Archambault has logged a total of 27 days in space and over 5,000 hours in more than 30 different aircraft, including 22 combat missions in the F-117A Stealth Fighter during Operation DESERT STORM.
“We are extraordinarily fortunate to have Lee join our expanding SNC team,” said Mark Sirangelo, head of SNC’s Space Systems. “Lee’s long history working at NASA, in spaceflight and his expansive aircraft flight experience will add significantly to the Dream Chaser program. He has successfully demonstrated leadership throughout his career and will be continue to help our Nation’s space program by being instrumental in the future of Dream Chaser.”
About SNC
SNC is a trusted global leader in aerospace and national security. Our innovative solutions enable connected protection through command, control and communications systems, as well as ISR, cyber, electromagnetic spectrum management, and other high capabilities for national security systems across all domains – sea, land, air, space and cyber. As a longstanding leader in defense technology, SNC is at the optimum intersection of commercial, defense and non-traditional contractors. We are one of the only privately owned mid-tier A&D contractors and we pride ourselves on our ability to invest early and often to ensure mission success on or ahead of schedule. It's part of our mission to always stay one step ahead; working on solutions today to solve the problems of tomorrow. Founded in 1963, SNC is owned by Chairwoman Eren Ozmen and CEO Fatih Ozmen.