Dr. Robert C. Dempsey
NASA Flight Director · Author · Aerospace Consultant
From the Space Telescope Science Institute to the Flight Director's console at Johnson Space Center to the operations floor at Blue Origin — Dr. Bob Dempsey has spent his career at the intersection of science, engineering, and human ambition. Now he tells those stories.
BIOGRAPHY
A career at the frontier
Career
Present
Author, Speaker, & Consultant
Galileo Astrea LLC
Writing three books in progress, delivering keynote talks and storytelling performances, and consulting for aerospace and adjacent industries through Galileo Astrea LLC.
2022
2022
Director of Operations
Blue Origin
Oversaw flight operations for Blue Origin's New Shepard suborbital vehicle, New Glenn rocket, Blue Moon Lunar Lander and Orbital Reef space station, applying NASA-caliber operational rigor to the commercial spaceflight sector.
2022
2022
Deputy Manager, ISS Transportation Integration Office
NASA Johnson Space Center
Managed integration between ISS operations and the growing fleet of commercial crew and cargo vehicles delivering astronauts and supplies to the Station.
2021
2005
Flight Director — ISS & Boeing CST-100 Commercial Crew
NASA Johnson Space Center
Served as Flight Director for the International Space Station and later for the Boeing Starliner commercial crew vehicle development program. Directed hundreds of shifts from Mission Control, managing complex multi-system operations, international crew coordination, and real-time anomaly response across a 16-year tenure.
2021
2021
Acting Deputy ISS Chief Scientist, Research Integration Office
NASA Johnson Space Center
2005
2003
Communications and Tracking Officer
NASA Johnson Space Center
2003
1997
Command and Data Handling Officer - ISS
United Space Alliance
1997
1992
Operations Astronomer - Spacecraft & Astrophysical Research
Space Telescope Science Institute / Computer Sciences Corporation
Supported real-time spacecraft operations and astrophysical research for the Hubble Space Telescope program at STScI.
Academic background
University of Toledo - Toledo, OH
Doctor of Philosophy & Master of Science
September 1984 - June 1991
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PhD, Physics (June 1991)
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MS, Physics (March 1986)
Education
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Mi
Bachelor of Science (Double Major)
September 1980 - May 1984
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BS, Astronomy (May 1984)
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BS, Physics (May 1984)
NASA Group Achievement — Space Telescope First Servicing Mission
1998
NASA Space Flight Awareness Award
2002
NASA Group Achievement
2002
(2000 x 2, 2001)
Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Foundation Nominee
2008
UT Physics Department Turin Award
2007
University of Toledo Arts & Sciences Outstanding Alumni
2008
JSC Group Achievement Award
2021
(2008)
KSC Silver Achievement Team Award
2012
NASA Performance Ranking: Distinguished
2014
(2008, 2010)
NASA Exceptional Service Medal
2007
NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal
2010
NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal
2011
Recognition
Awards & honors
From the archives
Gallery
