NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Robert H. Ess became manager of the Ares I-X Mission at the Langley Research Center in 2007. Image Credit: NASA/LaRC

Robert H. Ess is the manager of the Ares I-X Mission and is currently located at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va.

Named to the position in June 2007, Mr. Ess is responsible for overall project management and direction of the Ares I-X development flight test through the Ares I-X Mission Management Office. The office is responsible for the integration of the launch vehicle system and the ground operations system within the Constellation Program Office.

Prior to his appointment as mission manager of the Ares I-X program, Mr. Ess served as the chief of flight testing for the Constellation program at Johnson Space Center. In this position, he was responsible for developing an integrated flight test strategy as well as for defining flight testing objectives for the Constellation program.

Before joining the Constellation Program, Mr. Ess served in a variety of leadership positions within the Space Shuttle Program at Johnson Space Center. He was acting deputy manager of the System Engineering and Integration Office for the Space Shuttle Program, assisting the manager in all aspects of system integration.

Mr. Ess also was the Manager of the Engineering Integration Office of the Space Shuttle Program, where he was responsible for all Shuttle ascent technical disciplines. He also served as the Space Shuttle Program lead for ascent debris assessment. In this position, Mr. Ess led multi-element, multi-discipline teams in developing technical solutions for ascent debris challenges.

From 1987 to 2000, Mr. Ess served in the Aerosciences and Flight Mechanics division of the Johnson Space Center Engineering Directorate. During this time, Mr. Ess developed flight test requirements for the X-38 vehicle and water recovery options for a crew return vehicle. Mr. Ess served on a design team developing a new engine intake inlet for the T-38 aircraft.

From 1996 to 1998, Mr. Ess also served as a flight test engineer at the Naval Air Warfare Center in Patuxent River, Md, where he attended US Naval Test Pilot School as a NASA civilian. Upon completion of training, Mr. Ess served as a flight test engineer in the F-14 Digital Control System upgrade program.

Mr. Ess has received numerous honors and awards during his NASA career, including the NASA Exceptional Service Medal in 2006, the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal in 2005, and the Group Achievement Award in 2005.

Mr. Ess holds a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and master's degrees in mechanical engineering and business administration from the University of Houston.

Mr. Ess, his wife Kim, and their three children reside in Yorktown, Va.