Nick Herren brings to USSP over forty years' experience in the Aerospace Industry.
Top Aerospace Management Team Member.
Systems Lead Engineer (Space Shuttle RF Communications) as member of first shuttle launch team and lead test conductor of "Space Lab" test and launch team.
Test Manager for Space Lab program lead by NASA and European Space Agency.
Senior and Project Management "Boeing/McDonald Douglas" in NASA Shuttle and International Space Station Programs.
NASA/DOD Payload Customer Interface Manager of launch services for STS (Shuttle), Atlas and Delta launch vehicles - involvement in Space Flight Hardware and Ground Support Equipment.
Program and mission development program.
Major design reviews (PRD/CDR).
Flight Readiness Reviews. (FRR).
Senior Technical Specialist in Space Flight Systems Intergration (Space Shuttle/Space Station Programs).
Expert in developing processes and procedures for design, development, test, verification and launch related to flight hardware and ground support equipment.
Also, contractor manager for the department of defense (DOD) Security Team supporting DOD "STAR WARS" test missions.
Design and Development of KSC and GSE and Facility modifications to support the Artimis moon rocket employed by Rockwell International McDonald Douglas Boeing Spacehab ASRC corporation ARES Government Agencies: NASA Kennedy Space Center KSC NASA Johnson Space Center JSFC NASA Marshal Space Flight Center MSFC Jet Propulsion Lab JPL Goddard Space Flight GSFC European Space Agency. and many others.
Nick currently still participates in the Artimis Program Launch Operations with the 45-space wing Eastern Test Range tracking activity.
Jaffray Stephenson possesses a long and successful carrier in the field of specializes aviation and advanced automotive mechanics.
With over 35 years of flight experience flying and designing Remotely Piloted Air Vehicles, Jaffray has filled the roles as Flight Test Engineer, Field Engineer, Project Manager, Mission Commander and Pilot. Rolles as Pilot, AVO and AVP include extensive use of Mission Planner Software, Pixhawk, Procerus, cloud cap and other Autopilot Hardware, Internal and External Piloting, Field Support and lab Maintenance of various COTS and Prototype Group 1, 2, and 3 UAS and extensive Deployment and Travel to various test sites for Government and Civilian Operations.
Jaffray has more than seven years of experience as field engineer for NAWCAD Air Traffic Control and include UCAS, AAR, AARS and UAS Lab. He has worked with the FAA to obtain the First FAA Certification and N- number for small UAS and has a working knowledge of integrating the SUAV into controlled airspace.
He also flew in the Atlantic Strike Exercise and holder of several certificates for operating Ariel Refueling support equipment (US NAVY) "pictured at right"
He also holds the rating of Expert in Automotive Technology for the past 30 years. As a result, Jaffrys hands on experience will greatly benefit in our lifting body project.
Kieth Dicicco, A graduate of Seminole high school in Seminole, Fl.
Military service - US Army.
Upon receiving an honorable discharge, returned to his home state of Florida to begin a successful carrier in the Marine Design and Manufacturing Industry.
After learning the basics in fiberglass materials and production fabrication, Kieth quickly became an expert in Composite engineering and advanced marine vessel designing. Kieth served as Production Floor supervisor and Quality Control Director at Florida's top Yacht producing companies.
Kieth was also involved in High-Speed Offshore Racing Boat Development for a Florida based manufacturing company. His contribution there as plant manager and marine engineer resulted in numerous offshore racing titles.
Director of Research and Development at RedTide Defense Group, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle manufacturing firm. His teenier with these companies resulted in increased efficiency and a significant profit windfall.
Kieth also studied management courses from Carnage School of Management and Training.
His other areas of expertise include UAV production line manufacturing efficiency, composite engineering and design for Cyber Defense Corporation.
As a result, Kieth is well suited to bring his experience to USSP during the protyping and manufacturing of our space plane vehicles.
Jon's motto is " the only reason something seems impossible, is because it is yet to be done"
Jon C Stephenson - born in Springfield, Missouri 1959 and grew up in south Louisiana. His fascination with mechanical objects and how things worked helped push his mind in the direction of science and mechanical engineering. To observe things and rediscover their artistical quality's and then apply unusual methods to solve complex problems, eventually became second nature.
In 1998 Jon started Aviation Dynamics, a small RPV aircraft manufacturing company. It was there that he began development work on the lifting body air vehicle. as the worked progressed it was discovered the design could be modified to address different performance requirements. This effort resulted in four variations of the basic design and two US Patents. Realizing the great potential of the Advanced Lifting Body Air Vehicle as a space transportation vehicle, Jon created a spinoff company called USSPS.
The new company was a small fish in a sea of predators
however, the technology of the new vehicle was sound.
Development work accelerated on the vehicle. Engineering firms were hired, and computer analysis were performed further confirming the quality of the design. As a result, the design created by Jon will become the basis for the future of air/space travel for decades to come.
Jon's education and work experience covers many disciplines starting with ship building.
Avondale Shipyards- starting in 1977 began large industrial ship manufacturing in Avondale Louisiana. This would include the management of large industrial projects and learning multiple welding and fabrication techniques as well as company sponsored academic studies.
Additional areas of expertise, Industrial Chemicals and Cryogenic liquid handling with extensive academic study. (Marathon Petroleum) Union Carbide - Dupont -
Rollins international- EXXON - TEXCO - Air Products - Lindey Corp. With additional experience with Hazardous Chemical Materials and disposal. BFI
Aviation experience - 1998 Commercial Aviation. Working with the Airline Industry Jon designed and built some very sophisticated ground support equipment for American Airlines that allowed their fleet of commuter jets and prop planes to safely dock with all existing jetway access bridges. The units Jon designed and built are still in service at seven major airports around the country today. Jon also holds three US-Patents in Aviation and Aerospace.
In 2003 Jon began construction of our 30' lifting body aircraft demonstrator. This vehicle (the first of its kind) served as a mockup and full size "boiler plate" test vehicle. Built in Hammond Louisiana, it was constructed of steel tubing and capable of limited flight.
Jon's current development effort is the 'Hybrid' space plane propulsion engine called Hydra X. This is the main propulsion system for Lifting Body Space Craft. This engine will allow our vehicle to achieve single stage to low earth orbit without discarding any components.
I believe education is an ongoing process regardless of how or where you may obtain it. I was fortunate to obtain most of mine by doing however, academic study is essential. One of my many hobbies includes Astronomy and Physical Science.
Many people would not consider these as hobbies although I was able to acquire extended training in these areas. In 1988 I was fortunate to study Astrophysics under Professor David Goodstine of the California Institute of Technology. From an online course I was exposed to the fascinating world of celestial mechanics and orbital physics. A knowledge that is becoming important as we move forward on the spaceplane and out to future development plans for the moon and beyond.
Jon Stephenson.
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