NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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

Harry A. Cikanek III

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Harry A. Cikanek III is Deputy Director of the Engineering Directorate at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field in Cleveland, Ohio. The directorate has over 400 engineers, manufacturing technicians, and support personnel who participate in activities assigned to the center across the four NASA mission directorates. Primary Glenn responsibilities include leadership of the Service Module for the new Orion spacecraft, which will replace the space shuttle and return human explorers to the moon.

From late 2004 through early 2007, Cikanek was Associate Director for Exploration Systems in the Program and Projects Directorate at Glenn. He contributed to development of the Exploration Systems architecture and to institutional recommendations for how to implement the architecture.

In prior assignments, Cikanek led Glenn activities in space transportation, including space shuttle return to flight support, the Advanced Space Transportation Program, Next Generation Launch Technology, X - 33, Future X and Jupiter Icy Moon Orbiter. From 1995 through 1998, he was responsible for mission management of NASA intermediate spacecraft launches, supporting the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES), the Earth Observing System (EOS), the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) and the Solar & Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO).

Prior to arriving at Glenn, Cikanek began his NASA Career at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., as project manager for the Space Transportation Main Engine (predecessor to the RS - 68 main engine for the Delta IV and Ares V launch vehicles) Phases A and B studies. His early responsibilities included engineering support to the space shuttle main engine, alternate turbopump, advanced engine studies and advanced engine technology.

Cikanek holds two degrees in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and has completed extensive academic coursework in systems engineering and project management. He is the author or coauthor of over 15 papers and articles. He is also a recipient of the Presidential Rank of Meritorious Executive, the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Alabama-Mississippi Section Young Engineer of the Year award.

11/07