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Peter P. Nickolenko
STS-127/STS-128 Shuttle Launch Director
Chief, Launch and Landing Division
Launch Vehicle Processing
Peter P. Nickolenko is the chief for the Launch and Landing Division of Launch Vehicle Processing at NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center, Fla., a position he has held since January 2005. In this role, he is responsible for all planning, development and execution of space shuttle launch and landing operations, and for future program operations development. He also will perform the role of shuttle launch director for missions STS-127 and STS-128, responsible for overall management and execution of the launch operations.
Nickolenko joined NASA in 1990 as a vehicle operations engineer. In November 1992, he became a NASA test director in the Launch and Landing Division, and subsequently gained additional certifications as landing recovery director, NASA convoy commander, tanking test director, and shuttle test director. He has been involved with prelaunch processing, launch and/or landing operations positions for every shuttle mission since April 1990.
Prior to joining NASA, Nickolenko spent nearly six years of active duty as an officer in the Army with assignments with the 649th Engineer Battalion in Germany and the 20th Engineer Battalion in Fort Campbell, Ky. He then joined Texas Instruments as a manufacturing production supervisor.
Nickolenko graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1983 with a degree in general engineering. He earned a Master of Science in engineering management in 1995 from the University of Central Florida.
Nickolenko is a recipient of the NASA Exceptional Service Medal and multiple NASA and KSC Group Achievement Awards.
August 2009
Biographies - Current Employees