Jeff Spaulding

Jeffrey G. Spaulding is one of two senior NASA test directors with the Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) program at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. He is responsible for leading the Artemis II launch team during the planning, scheduling, and execution of the launch countdown for the Artemis launch director and will direct the Artemis II launch countdown on launch day for the first crewed mission of the Artemis Program. He led the Artemis I launch team through four Wet Dress Rehearsals and two launch attempts of the Artemis I rocket before the final successful launch of that vehicle. He also represents Exploration Ground Systems for various aspects of launch system development, as well as flight and ground requirement development needed for launch.

Experience

Spaulding began his career at NASA in 1987 as a NASA operations engineer overseeing orbiter processing activities for seven shuttle missions. He later joined the Shuttle Launch and Landing Office and, as a NASA test director, was part of a team responsible for the management and oversight of shuttle launch and landing, shuttle processing, and emergency action management throughout Launch Complex 39. He was promoted in 2000 to shuttle test director, where he planned and directed 18 shuttle launches for the Space Shuttle Program. In all, he participated in nearly 100 shuttle launch countdowns from the control room.

Based on his shuttle launch experience, Spaulding was selected to develop, plan, and execute the 2009 launch of the Ares I-X rocket for the Constellation Program while still actively supporting space shuttle launches. Spaulding continued to support numerous Constellation Program projects including Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) emergency egress system design, crew access arm design, and launch-related operations.

Awards

Spaulding is the recipient of numerous group achievement awards, including Certificate of Commendation and Space Flight Awareness awards. He received a Silver Snoopy for planning astronaut rescue operations in 1995, the Exceptional Service Medal for leading the space shuttle Return-to-Flight launch countdown in 2009, and a KSC Gold Dollar Award for helping to create the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) Special Interest Tours in 2012 while space shuttle Atlantis was in High Bay 3 of the VAB.

Education

Born in Rockford, Illinois, Spaulding graduated from Harlem High School in 1979. He received a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering in 1987 from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He continued his studies while working for NASA and received a Master of Science in space systems from Florida Institute of Technology in 1993, and a Master of Science in engineering management in 1996 from the University of Central Florida.

Personal

He resides with his wife, Carolynne, in Merritt Island, Florida. They have two children at home and three grown children living in the central Florida area. They enjoy family, travel, outdoor activities, swimming, and tennis.

Biography last updated February 2024