NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

John Manke was the Director of Flight Operations for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Ames Research Center, including the Ames facility at Moffett Field, California and Dryden Flight Research Facility, Edwards, California. He also servedas Site Manager for Dryden, the nation's premiere flight test organization. As Director of Flight Operations, he was responsible for the conduct of aeronautical flight research with some of the most advanced aircraft in the country at time.

Manke served as Chief of Flight Operations for Dryden Flight Research Center prior to its integration with Ames Research Center in October 1981.

Before becoming Chief of Flight Operations, Manke served as a civilian research pilot for Dryden, testing wingless lifting bodies that demonstrated the ability to maneuver and safely land a vehicle with a shape that was designed for space flight.

This research provided data and flight techniques used for the Space Shuttle Orbiter. Lifting bodies flown by Manke included the X-24B, X-24A, HL-10, and the M2. He made the first supersonic flight in a lifting body and the first landing of a lifting body on a hard-surface runway.

Born in Selby, South Dakota, November 13, 1931, Manke attended the University of South Dakota before joining the U.S. Navy in 1951. He was selected for the NROTC program and graduated from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1956 with a Bachelor's Degree in electrical engineering.

Following graduation Manke entered flight training and served as a fighter pilot with the U.S. Marine Corps. Leaving the service in 1960, and prior to joining NASA, he worked forHoneywell Corp. as a test engineer.

A member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Manke is married to the former Marilyn Sherman. The couple and their five children reside in Lancaster, California. In his spare time, he has built and flown his own light airplanes.