NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
John H. Glenn Research Center
Lewis Field
Cleveland, Ohio 44135

Thomas W. Hartline

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Thomas W. Hartline is the Director of Safety and Mission Assurance at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field in Cleveland, Ohio. He assumed this position in May 2007, before which he served as the manager for NASA Marshall Space Flight Center's Shuttle Assurance Department and as systems safety engineer and team lead for Marshall's Space Shuttle Main Engine Assurance Office. He has been an active leader in safety and mission assurance for nearly every major space flight program from the Space Shuttle Program to the Constellation Program for returning to the Moon and on to Mars.

Hartline began his career as a helicopter combat search and rescue pilot in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1983. Since then, he has held positions including helicopter instructor pilot at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field in Pensacola, Florida, and aviation and shipboard safety officer/helicopter pilot in San Diego, California. Hartline has over 3,300 flight hours as a U.S. Navy helicopter pilot including missions in Beirut, Lebanon, and in Operation Desert Storm. In addition, he was the Naval Academy Information Officer Area Coordinator for the State of Alabama.

Hartline graduated in 1995 from the University of Alabama in Huntsville with a Master of Science degree in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering. He earned his aviation safety officer certification at Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the United States Naval Academy.

Hartline received a NASA Exceptional Service Medal in 2003 and the Silver Snoopy Award in 1994. Other awards include the NASA Astronaut Personal Achievement Award and the National Aeronautical Association (NAA) Certificate of Accomplishment for Superior Airmanship as the top U.S. Navy helicopter pilot in the 1989 U.S. National Helicopter Championships. In 1998, he was selected as a finalist in the NASA astronaut selection.

Hartline is married with four children.

11/07