Lockheed Martin
Forms New Space Exploration Organisation
(23 February 2004) Lockheed
Martin has formed a new organisation to manage the Corporation’s efforts
in support of NASA’s space exploration initiative. The organisation, which
will be called Space Exploration, will be led by John C. Karas and be
headquartered in Denver, Colorado, as part of the Space Systems Company.
Karas will report to G. Thomas Marsh, executive vice
president for Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, and will be supported by
Jay Honeycutt, vice president and special assistant for Human Spaceflight and
Space Shuttle Return to Flight.
Previously, Karas was vice president,
Atlas and Advanced Space Transportation. This responsibility included launch
systems development and recurring operations for the Atlas/Evolved Expendable
Launch Vehicle (EELV) program and advanced space transportation opportunities
such as Orbital Space Plane and other manned, unmanned, reusable and expendable
systems.
Karas began his career in 1978. He has worked at all levels
of a human-rated space program integrating the Centaur upper stage with the
Space Shuttle in co-ordination with the NASA Johnson, Kennedy and Glenn Space
Centers. Karas also previously served as the director of the Advanced Space
Systems and Technology department and site director of the company’s
operations in Huntsville, AL, and as manager of Advanced Avionics Systems.
Karas earned a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the
Georgia Institute of Technology and has taken advanced course work toward a
master’s degree in Engineering and a master’s degree in Business
Administration.
(source: Lockheed Martin)
