Biography

David Hamilton began his career with NASA at the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC, now JSC) Landing and Docking Mechanics Branch in 1967, where he conducted water impact tests of a quarter-scale Apollo Command Module for the purpose of defining dynamic loading for this critical load case. From 1969-83 he conducted dynamic analyses and developed simulations of moving bodies, mechanisms and structures in support of Apollo, Skylab and Apollo-Soyuz dockings. Also, he conducted separation dynamics analyses for the early Shuttle Phase A/B configurations and for the Shuttle Approach and Landing Test (ALT). From 1983-89 he served as Chairman of the Shuttle/Payload Structural/Mechanical Working Group in a role of defining structural requirements, design load cases, assessed payload verification approaches and supported the Payload Integration Office. In 1989 he became Chief of the Loads and Structural Dynamics Branch, leading the loads/dynamics analysis and vibration/acoustic test efforts of the group, supporting the Shuttle Program.

From 1994-97, he served as Docking System Project Manager, responsible for development and delivery of the Russian built Androgynous Peripheral Docking System, for use on Orbiter dockings to Mir and ISS. In the capacity he was the NASA interface with the supplier RSC-Energia and reported to both the Shuttle and ISS Program Managers. From 1997-2000 he served as Shuttle Chief Engineer, and in this capacity, supported the Orbiter Project Office and Shuttle Program Office, providing technical guidance and recommendations on technical issues. He represented NASA as co-chair of the Orbiter Review Board and represented the Engineering Directorate at the Shuttle Program Control Board. From 2000 until accepting the NESC position, he has served as Chief of the Shuttle/Station Engineering Office, providing technical support to these Programs. His office members include Chief Engineers for both Shuttle and ISS. Also, from 1999 to present, he served as Chairman of the Shuttle Chief Engineers Council, which includes Chief Engineers, both NASA and prime contractor, of each Shuttle Program element.

Mr. Hamilton received a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Auburn University, M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Houston, and additional graduate work at both Rice University and University of Houston.