Full Name
John Shannon
Job Title
Vice President and Program Manager, Space Launch System
Company
Boeing
Speaker Bio
John Shannon, as Space Launch System vice president and program manager, leads the Boeing team designing, developing, testing and producing the core stage, upper stages, and avionics for NASA’s new heavy-lift rocket.
Prior to this position, Shannon led the International Space Station (ISS) program for Boeing in its key integration role for NASA’s ISS Program. His responsibilities included overall integration and operations of the ISS orbiting laboratory.
Before joining Boeing, Shannon served as NASA’s deputy associate administrator for Exploration Planning in the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. In this role, Shannon was responsible for working with NASA and the international partners to define future Human Exploration activities for NASA headquarters. His efforts resulted in the development of a comprehensive plan for a cislunar outpost to be used for the development of technology, science, operational methods and crew protection for deep-space missions.
Previously, Shannon served as program manager of NASA’s Space Shuttle Program, providing executive direction and policy for all aspects of space shuttle processing and development, including prelaunch and flight operations. Shannon managed the program’s final 14 missions, including the last Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission and completion of the U.S. on-orbit segment of the ISS. Prior to this role, Shannon served as the deputy manager and the manager of Flight Operations and Integration for the Space Shuttle Program.
Shannon began his career on the Space Shuttle Program as a flight operations engineer in 1988. In 1991, he was named the head of the Space Shuttle Guidance, Navigation, and Flight Control section. In 1993, Shannon was selected as flight director for the Space Shuttle Program, the youngest person ever to hold that position.
Throughout his career, Shannon has received accolades for his technical and managerial leadership such as the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, the Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Executive, and the Astronautics Engineer of the Year award from the National Space Club. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the International Space University, and on the Board of Directors for the Challenger Center.
Shannon’s academic achievements include a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University and completion of Harvard Business School’s Program for Management Development.
Prior to this position, Shannon led the International Space Station (ISS) program for Boeing in its key integration role for NASA’s ISS Program. His responsibilities included overall integration and operations of the ISS orbiting laboratory.
Before joining Boeing, Shannon served as NASA’s deputy associate administrator for Exploration Planning in the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. In this role, Shannon was responsible for working with NASA and the international partners to define future Human Exploration activities for NASA headquarters. His efforts resulted in the development of a comprehensive plan for a cislunar outpost to be used for the development of technology, science, operational methods and crew protection for deep-space missions.
Previously, Shannon served as program manager of NASA’s Space Shuttle Program, providing executive direction and policy for all aspects of space shuttle processing and development, including prelaunch and flight operations. Shannon managed the program’s final 14 missions, including the last Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission and completion of the U.S. on-orbit segment of the ISS. Prior to this role, Shannon served as the deputy manager and the manager of Flight Operations and Integration for the Space Shuttle Program.
Shannon began his career on the Space Shuttle Program as a flight operations engineer in 1988. In 1991, he was named the head of the Space Shuttle Guidance, Navigation, and Flight Control section. In 1993, Shannon was selected as flight director for the Space Shuttle Program, the youngest person ever to hold that position.
Throughout his career, Shannon has received accolades for his technical and managerial leadership such as the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, the Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Executive, and the Astronautics Engineer of the Year award from the National Space Club. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the International Space University, and on the Board of Directors for the Challenger Center.
Shannon’s academic achievements include a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University and completion of Harvard Business School’s Program for Management Development.
