Gary Fleming

Mr. Gary A. Fleming has nearly 31 years of experience at NASA Langley Research Center with a career spanning fundamental aeronautics research through space flight project management and leadership.  Most recently, Gary has served as the Project Manager for the CLARREO Pathfinder mission leading a diverse, multi-organizational team to develop the world’s most accurate reflected solar spectrometer for obtaining climate science measurements from the International Space Station.  Prior to CLARREO Pathfinder, Gary served as the Langley Senior Technologist for Measurement Systems serving as the point of contact for the NASA Langley Measurement Systems product line from concept-to-flight.  In this capacity Gary advised Center Leadership on technology trends, opportunities, solutions, and collaborations to advance Langley Center strategy.  Gary served on the Langley Technology Council, contributed to development of the Langley Strategic Technology Investment Plan, and guided Center technology investments.  Gary also previously served as flight project Chief Engineer for the Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) flight models #5 and #6 instruments currently flying on the Suomi-NPP and NOAA-20 satellites, helping to preserve the continuous long-term record of Earth’s energy budget.  Earlier in his career, Gary developed and deployed innovative optical instrumentation systems for use within wind tunnel facilities for measurement of aerodynamic flow properties and wind tunnel model structural deformation. 

Gary received a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from West Virginia University in 1991 and 1993, and a M.S. in Engineering Management from George Washington University in 2008.  Gary has been selected to receive a 2023 NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, and is a past recipient of the NASA Systems Engineering Technical Excellence Award, the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, and a number of group achievement and individual awards.

Originally from Pittsburgh, PA (Steelers Fan!), Gary resides with his wife in Yorktown, VA and is the very proud father of two adult children.  In his free time Gary enjoys cycling, golfing, fishing, and family activities.