Full Name
Christopher Ferguson
Job Title
Director of Mission Integration and Operations Boeing Astronaut Commercial Crew Program Space and Launch Division
Company
The Boeing Company
Speaker Bio
Christopher J. Ferguson is the director of Mission Integration and Operations for Boeing's Commercial Crew Program. In this role, Ferguson’s focus is on ensuring the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft and training systems meet the needs of NASA’s astronauts. He is also responsible for making sure teammates on the ground are trained and ready to support crewed missions to the International Space Station, from pre-launch to docking and undocking to landing and recovery. Ferguson is also the company’s only astronaut on staff.
Ferguson works with NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Directorate, Johnson Space Center’s Engineering, Flight Crew and Mission Operations organizations and NASA's Commercial Crew Program to ensure Boeing’s crew transportation system supports NASA’s human rating requirements. He also plays a key leadership role in the development and human-in-the-loop testing of critical system technologies.
A retired U.S. Navy captain and former NASA astronaut, Ferguson was pilot of STS-115 (Atlantis) and commander of STS-126 (Endeavour) and the final shuttle mission, STS-135 (Atlantis). He has logged more than 40 days in space and 5,700 hours in high-performance aircraft. He also served as deputy chief of the Astronaut Office and was spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) for the STS-118, -120, -128 and -129 missions. His experience in crew communications, both on orbit and in the CAPCOM role, is a strong asset to Boeing.
Ferguson also led the Starliner’s first crew through two years of training before transitioning his position to a NASA astronaut in 2020. As the director of Mission Integration and Operations, he will continue to be the eyes and ears for the NASA astronaut crewmembers of the Starliner spacecraft while serving a key role in developing mission requirements and leading preparations for future missions.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Drexel University and a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. He has been recognized with numerous service awards and citations, including the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Strike/Flight Air Medal, NASA Spaceflight Medal (three), Navy Commendation Medal (three) and the Navy Achievement Medal.
Ferguson works with NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Directorate, Johnson Space Center’s Engineering, Flight Crew and Mission Operations organizations and NASA's Commercial Crew Program to ensure Boeing’s crew transportation system supports NASA’s human rating requirements. He also plays a key leadership role in the development and human-in-the-loop testing of critical system technologies.
A retired U.S. Navy captain and former NASA astronaut, Ferguson was pilot of STS-115 (Atlantis) and commander of STS-126 (Endeavour) and the final shuttle mission, STS-135 (Atlantis). He has logged more than 40 days in space and 5,700 hours in high-performance aircraft. He also served as deputy chief of the Astronaut Office and was spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) for the STS-118, -120, -128 and -129 missions. His experience in crew communications, both on orbit and in the CAPCOM role, is a strong asset to Boeing.
Ferguson also led the Starliner’s first crew through two years of training before transitioning his position to a NASA astronaut in 2020. As the director of Mission Integration and Operations, he will continue to be the eyes and ears for the NASA astronaut crewmembers of the Starliner spacecraft while serving a key role in developing mission requirements and leading preparations for future missions.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Drexel University and a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. He has been recognized with numerous service awards and citations, including the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Strike/Flight Air Medal, NASA Spaceflight Medal (three), Navy Commendation Medal (three) and the Navy Achievement Medal.
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