Program Manager, NASA Flight Opportunities Program
Tim Chen serves as the Program Manager for NASA Flight Opportunities Program.
The Flight Opportunities program is a STMD Level 2 program office located at Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC) in Edwards, CA. In this role, Tim leads to execute Program’s goals to mature exploration and other high priority space technologies through flight demonstration in relevant environments, and to develop enabling technologies to accelerate-to-market affordable suborbital and small satellite launch capabilities.
Prior to joining AFRC, Tim was at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) where he served in various leadership roles in Space Launch Systems (SLS) and in Commercial Crew Program (CCP). During his tenure, he was detailed to NASA HQ as STMD Program Executive for Technology Demonstration Mission (TDM) program.
Tim spent 20+ years in aerospace industry prior to joining NASA. At Boeing, he was on X-37 program, Delta IV/ EELV program, X-33 and the National Aerospace Plane (NASP) program. Previously at Kaiser Marquardt, he was Program Manager on the Rocket Based Combined Cycle (RBCC) hypersonic propulsion program.
Tim has written several technical publications for AIAA and NASA conferences. He is Past-Chair of ASME Propulsion Technical Committee.