Ken Reightler

Kenneth S. Reightler
Vice President
Science, Engineering, Analysis, and Test Operation
Lockheed Martin Space Operations

Ken is currently Vice President and Program Manager for Lockheed Martin Space Operations in Houston, Texas, a part of the Technology Services business area. He is responsible for the Science, Engineering, Analysis, and Test (SEAT) Operation that employs over 2000 employees in support of NASA at the Johnson Space Center, and other space related customers. Ken joined Lockheed Martin Engineering & Science (LMES) Services in 1995 as Program Manager for its Engineering, Test, and Analysis (ETA) contract. With over 1,400 employees, ETA was the largest contract within the LMES product line.

Ken was commissioned as a naval officer in 1973. Upon receiving his "Wings of Gold" in 1974, he began a series of diverse aviation assignments including duty aboard aircraft carriers and flight testing. In 1987, he was selected by NASA for the astronaut program and began an eight-year assignment at the Johnson Space Center. He held a wide variety of technical assignments and participated as pilot on two space shuttle flights. In 1995, Ken retired from the U.S. Navy and NASA and joined Lockheed Martin where he is Vice President and Program Manager for the Science, Engineering, Analysis, and Test Operation supporting a number of customers including the NASA/Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Ken graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1973 with a BS in Aerospace Engineering. He earned an MS in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1984. In the same year, he also completed the requirements for an MS in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. Ken is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and served twice on the faculty. He has also attended the Lockheed Martin Institute and Information and Services Sector Institute.

Ken is an active member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronauts, the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, the Association of Space Explorers, the National Contract Management Association, and the National Management Association.