Charles Precourt

Charlie Precourt is the vice president of Propulsion Systems for Northrop Grumman's Launch and Missile Defense Systems. He is responsible for key programs including the solid rocket booster for NASA’s Space Launch System, Trident II (D5) and Minuteman III strategic missile product lines, the Ground-based Midcourse Defense program and commercial rocket motors and products.

Charlie joined Northrop Grumman in March 2005 as vice president, Strategy and Business Development, and was responsible for business market analysis, developing new customer and market opportunities and matching Northrop Grumman's capabilities and synergies to customer requirements.

Before coming to Northrop Grumman, Charlie had a distinguished 15-year career with NASA. He is a veteran of four space flights—including two as mission commander—and has logged more than 932 hours in space. He was also deputy program manager for the International Space Station, chief of the astronaut corps and director of operations for NASA at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia.

He also served for 23 years with the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a Colonel. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and flew as a test pilot on the F-15E development program. Charlie was an F-15 pilot/instructor/flight commander in Europe and an instructor pilot at both Reese and Edwards Air Force Bases.

Charlie earned a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy, a master’s degree in engineering management from Golden State University and a master’s in national security affairs and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College. He also attended the French Air Force Academy in 1976 as part of an exchange program. He is fluent in both Russian and French.

Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 97,000 employees define possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services.

Broadcast 2521 (Special Edition)

Guest: Charlie Precourt. Topics: Human spaceflight, SLS-Orion, Mars, Moon, technology & more. Please direct all comments and questions regarding Space Show programs/guest(s) to the Space Show blog, http://thespaceshow.wordpress.com. Comments and questions should be relevant to the specific Space Show program. Written Transcripts of Space Show programs are a violation of our copyright and are not permitted without prior written consent, even if for your own use.

Broadcast 1406 (Special Edition)

Guest: Charles Precourt. Topics: Ares, Constellation, space policy, heavy lift, commercial space. We welcomed back Charlie Precourt to the show for this interview on Monday, August 9, 2010 at ATK offices at Promontory, Utah. During our discussion, Mr. Precourt updated us on the space policy debate regarding the FY 11 space budget, space policy, continuing resolution and more.

Broadcast 1206 (Special Edition)

Guests: Charles Precourt and Trina Patterson. Topics: Ares 1, space policy, crew safety, mission success. While attending the SmallSat Conference, I requested a meeting at ATK Space Systems in Promontory, Utah, in order to understand and accurately report on the Ares 1 rocket. Space Show friend, frequent guest, and One Giant Leap board member Dr. John Jurist accompanied me to ATK Monday morning, August 10, to meet with Trina Patterson, ATK spokesperson and Charles Precourt, vice president and general manager of Space Launch Systems for ATK’s Space Systems Group.

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