Chief Engineer for Aeronautics, NASA Headquarters, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
B.S. AE 1986, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
M.S. ASE 1989, The University of Texas at Austin
Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering 2009, Stevens Institute
Graduate Certificate in Legislative Affairs 2010, Georgetown University
Steven Hirshorn serves as the chief engineer of aeronautics at NASA Headquarters. In that role, he oversees all development, research and missions that compose NASA’s aeronautics research portfolio (the first A of NASA). Hirshorn works closely with engineering technical authorities of NASA’s four research centers and with programs and projects, ensuring safety and mission success of all aeronautics research endeavors.
Hirshorn received his B.S. in aeronautical engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and an B.S. in aerospace engineering from The University of Texas at Austin. He also received graduate certificates in systems engineering from Stevens Institute and in legislative affairs from Georgetown University.
His professional career began at the NASA Johnson Space Center where Hirshorn served as a space shuttle flight controller in mission control, supporting over fifty shuttle flights on console on some of the program’s most historic missions. He then served as the mission operations representative to the Orbiter Project Office at the time of the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy. Hirshorn then served as mission operations lead engineer for the Constellation Program before moving to NASA Headquarters as a systems engineering and integration manager in one of NASA’s aeronautics research programs. Three years later he transferred to the Office of Chief Engineer and has been chief engineer for aeronautics since 2016.
Working side-by-side with many of the mission control veterans of the Apollo Moon landing missions who were approaching retirement, Hirshorn was able to gain from the experience and wisdom of these space-age greats. He then lived his own moment in history as he was deeply immersed in the Space Shuttle Columbia accident, recovery operations, investigation and return-to-flight activities that led to the launch of STS-114 two and a half years later. Hirshorn’s role during the Constellation program helped lay the foundation for today’s Artemis Program (Orion, SLS, etc.). As chief engineer for aeronautics, Hirshorn helped develop the X-57, X-59 and X-66 experimental aircraft.
He also managed NASA’s systems engineering policies for approximately ten years.
Hirshorn resides in Mt. Airy, MD with his wife Robin, their two cats, two koi ponds and an acre of forested bliss. He has also published two science fiction novels and two non-fiction books on NASA and engineering. Hirshorn enjoys mountaineering, international travel and shares a passion for all things Star Trek (which offers so many life lessons).
