Suggested Searches

Michael Rouen – NESC Academy Biography

Michael Rouen

Michael Rouen began his NASA career as a cooperative education student in the Crew Systems Division in 1965. After being graduated with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas in 1967, he joined the Apollo EMU PLSS group and became the NASA resident representative at Hamilton Standard Division to help certify the Apollo PLSS. During his 42-year NASA career, he was also an advanced technology development engineer between Apollo and Shuttle Programs. When the Shuttle Program started, he wrote the statement of work for the Shuttle PLSS and became the first subsystem manager for the PLSS when NASA first formally defined that role. During the Shuttle PLSS development, he led the PLSS group from design conception through manufacture, certification, and early flight use. Afterward, Rouen led a significant glove development effort that resulted in numerous improvements in the Shuttle glove including sizable fingers, custom sizing measurement techniques, reduced weight fabric for mobility increase, and design for measured human-induced loads. Rouen led the strategic planning for the newly formed EVA Project Office and served as the manager of the advanced development for two years. Upon return to CTSD, he led advanced technology development until his retirement after 42 years with NASA. Since then, he has assisted the Constellation Space Suit Accommodations for Exploration (C-SAFE) team’s proposal effort and now works part time on that team.