Robert Lightfoot, a longtime NASA executive who served as both the agency’s acting administrator and highest-ranking civil servant, will join Bethesda, MD-based Lockheed Martin Space as vice president, Strategy and Business Development, effective May 6. They company made the announcement on April 29.
In his new
role, Lightfoot will lead strategic planning, advanced technology concepts, and
new business strategy for the corporation’s Space business area. Lockheed
Martin Space is a $9 billion, 18,000-person enterprise that has been a leader
in satellite and launch systems since the dawn of the space age. The business
area’s programs include GPS, missile warning and communications satellites for
the Department of Defense; human and robotic exploration systems for NASA;
weather and commercial communications satellites, and strategic missile and
missile defense systems.
“Robert
is a universally-respected leader with an exceptional understanding of space
technology, operations and strategy,” said Rick Ambrose, executive vice
president of Lockheed Martin Space. “Robert’s insights and expertise will
be crucial to the continued transformation of our space portfolio as we embrace
new technologies and new business models. He will shape and drive a strategy
that will help us deliver the breakthrough innovations and capabilities our
customers need as we enter a new space age.”
During his career at NASA, Lightfoot served in several critical leadership roles to support space operations, exploration and science missions including director of the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and director of Propulsion Test at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.
He also focused on strategies for key missions including the shuttle’s return to flight following the Columbia tragedy, then initial transition and retirement efforts for shuttle infrastructure. Lightfoot retired from NASA in April 2018 and has served as president of LSINC Corporation in Huntsville for the past year.
Source: Lockheed Martin
By Loren Blinde
April 30, 2019
