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Glenn Mahone/Bob Jacobs
Headquarters, Washington                               April 23, 2003
(202/358-1898/1600)

Eileen Hawley
Johnson Space Center, Houston
(281/483-5111)

RELEASE: 03-149

SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM MANAGER 
DECIDES TO LEAVE POST

Ronald D. Dittemore, a 26-year NASA veteran, today announced his
intention to step aside as the Space Shuttle Program Manager at the 
Johnson Space Center in Houston to pursue other opportunities.

Dittemore, who has served as the Shuttle program manager for more
than four years, will remain in his current position until the
Columbia Accident Investigation Board finishes its investigation and
a complete "Return to Flight" path has been established.

"My decision to leave the Space Shuttle Program has been a very 
difficult one, but it is a decision that I began struggling with long 
before the tragedy of the Columbia accident," Dittemore said. "The 
timing of my departure is based on what I believe will allow for the 
smoothest management transition possible, as the pace of work to
return the Shuttle to flight begins to ramp up."

Dittemore made the announcement in Washington with Michael Kostelnik, 
Deputy Associate Administrator for the Space Shuttle and
International Space Station Programs. Kostelnik praised Dittemore's
dedication and professionalism.

"For more than a quarter-century, Ron has been an integral part of
the Space Shuttle program. He helped create many of the processes
and procedures we follow today," added Kostelnik. "I'm pleased Ron
has decided to stay until our Return to Flight efforts are well
established, and I wish him the best as he begins a new chapter in
his life."

Dittemore first joined NASA in 1977 as a propulsion systems engineer, 
responsible for the development and implementation of operations 
procedures for the Space Shuttle orbital maneuvering and reaction 
control systems.

In 1985, he was selected as a Space Shuttle Flight Director, 
responsible for the overall leadership and direction of Space Shuttle 
missions, as the leader of the flight control team located in the 
Mission Control Center.  

In 1993, he joined the Space Shuttle Program Office as the Deputy 
Manager for the Space Shuttle Program Integration and Operations 
Office, responsible for the integration, engineering and operation of 
all Shuttle payloads. He also served as the Manager, Space Shuttle 
Program Integration, where he was responsible for the overall 
integration and conduct of Space Shuttle flights, including serving
as chairman of the flight Mission Management Team.

In 1996, Dittemore was selected as the Manager, Space Shuttle Vehicle 
Engineering Office, where he directed the design, development, 
modification, certification, and test of the orbiter vehicle, flight 
software, and flight crew equipment. He was selected as Space Shuttle 
Program Manager in 1999. As Manager, Space Shuttle Program, Dittemore 
is responsible for the overall management, integration and operations 
of the Space Shuttle Program. This includes development and
operations of all Space Shuttle elements, as well as the facilities,
required to support ground processing and flight operations.

His awards include two Senior Executive Presidential Rank Awards for 
Distinguished Executive and Meritorious Executive; the NASA
Outstanding Leadership Medal; the NASA Exceptional Service Medal; and
Johnson Space Center's highest award, the Certificate of
Commendation.

Dittemore graduated in 1970 from Medical Lake High School in Medical 
Lake, Washington; received a bachelor of science in aeronautical and 
astronautical engineering from the University of Washington in 1974
and a Master of Science degree in aeronautical and astronautical
engineering from University of Washington in 1975.

A memorandum from Dittemore, announcing his decision to leave, is 
available on the Internet at: 
http://www.nasa.gov/news/highlights/dittemore.html

For information about human space flight, the Space Shuttle and 
International Space Station programs on the Internet, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov.

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