NASA Names Terry Wilcutt Agency Safety Chief

[NASA News <hqnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Aug. 16, 2011

Beth Dickey 
Headquarters, Washington                                
202-358-2087 
beth.dickey-1@xxxxxxxx 
RELEASE: 11-261

NASA NAMES TERRY WILCUTT AGENCY SAFETY CHIEF

WASHINGTON -- Terrence W. Wilcutt has been appointed NASA's chief of 
safety and mission assurance, effective Sept. 1. 

Wilcutt is a retired Marine colonel and veteran astronaut who is 
serving as director of safety and mission assurance at NASA's Johnson 
Space Center in Houston. He will assume the post from Bryan O'Connor, 
who will retire from the agency on Aug. 31. 

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden announced the appointment Tuesday. 

"As NASA looks beyond the space shuttle to new programs of human 
exploration, technology development and scientific research, we 
remain committed to the highest standards for mission success and the 
well-being of our work force," Bolden said. "Terry Wilcutt has more 
than 20 years of experience in human spaceflight and safety, as well 
as the integrity and courage necessary to lead what arguably is 
NASA's most important support organization, the Office of Safety and 
Mission Assurance, and serve as my conscience on issues of safety as 
did Bryan O'Connor during our time together. I am delighted Terry 
stepped forward to guide us safely into the future." 

In his new role, Wilcutt will be responsible for the development, 
implementation and oversight of safety and mission assurance policies 
and procedures for all NASA programs. 

"I look forward to continuing Bryan's work and to meeting the 
challenges of the next chapter in human space exploration as well as 
the rest of NASA's diverse portfolio," Wilcutt said. 

Wilcutt joined NASA as an astronaut in 1990. He was the pilot on two 
space shuttle missions, STS-68 in 1994 and STS-79 in 1996. He 
commanded two others, STS-89 in 1998 and STS-106 in 2000. He served 
as manager of safety and mission assurance for the Space Shuttle 
Program, and as Johnson's deputy director of safety and mission 
assurance before becoming director in 2008. 

Wilcutt will maintain offices in Houston and Washington. For his 
complete biography, visit: 



http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/wilcutt.html 


For information about NASA and agency programs, visit: 



http://www.nasa.gov 

	
-end-



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