Veteran Hubble Mission Commander Lands New Job Outside NASA

Veteran shuttle mission commander Scott "Scooter" Altman, a former Top Gun pilot who led NASA's last two voyages to the Hubble Space Telescope, has landed a new job with an aerospace and defense research and technology firm.

Altman, a veteran of of four shuttle missions, joined ASRC Research and Technology Solutions as vice president of strategic planning. In that post, the retired U.S. Navy captain will develop strategy that leverage the company's expertise in engineering, information technology and technical services within the aerospace, aviation and defense industries. He also will lead new business initiatives in the emerging commercial space industry.

"Scott brings extensive leadership and technical expertise that will help ARTS define our future path as we strive to provide outstanding services to NASA, the FAA, the Navy and other government agencies," company president Gregg Einfalt said in a news release.

"As a former Navy pilot and space shuttle commander, Scott lends a unique perspective to our company's vision for future growth within these government sectors and the evolving commercial space market. He will play a key role in executing our strategy for long-term success."

Altman piloted the STS-90 Neurolab medical research mission in 1998 and the STS-106 flight in 2000. The latter mission prepped the International Space Station for the arrival of its first expedition crew. He also commanded the STS-109 and STS-125 Hubble Space Telescope Servicing missions. All tolled, he logged 51 days in space.

Altman also had a distinguished career in the Navy, logging more than 7,000 hours in more than 40 types of aircraft and served as a strike leader flying over Southern Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch. Commissioned as an ensign in 1981, Altman earned his gold wings in 1983 and during a posting at Naval Air Station Mirimar, he flew F-14 Tomcats in the 1986 Tom Cruise movie "Top Gun."

ASRC Research and Technology Solutions is based in Greenbelt, Md.

ABOUT THE IMAGE: Click to enlarge the NASA image of veteran shuttle commander Scott Altman aboard the flight deck of the orbiter Atlantis on NASA's fifth and final flight to the Hubble Space Telescope, which can be seen out the overhead windows. You can also click the enlarged image to get an even-bigger, more detailed view.