NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

A native of Alabama, Mr. Hopson joined the Marshall Space Flight Center Research and Development staff in 1962 as an aerospace engineer in the Science and Engineering Directorate.  Prior to being named Manager of the Space Shuttle Main Engine, he served as Deputy Director for Space Systems in the Science and Engineering Directorate at Marshall.  He also served from 1988 until 1994 as Manager of the Space Station Projects Office at the Center.  In addition to these and other positions, he worked from 1979 until 1988 as Director of the Systems Dynamics Laboratory.  Mr. Hopson was named Manager of the Space Shuttle Main Engine Project Office at the Marshall Space Flight Center in January 1997.  He is responsible for the design, production, and operation of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) to support the flight manifest.

Mr. Hopson came to NASA from General Dynamics Corporation in Fort Worth, Texas.  At General Dynamics, Mr. Hopson served as a senior propulsion engineer.  Mr. Hopson earned his bachelor and master of science degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.  His awards and honors include two NASA Presidential Awards.  He has also received the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal and the Silver Snoopy Award.

Mr. Hopson is also a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and of the Army Corp of Engineers during the Korean conflict.