Chris Cianciola

Chris Cianciola serves as the deputy manager of NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) Program at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. As a key member of the SLS leadership team, Cianciola shares responsibility for all facets of the SLS Program, including programmatic and technical planning, procurement, development, testing, evaluation, production, and operations.

A strategic national asset, SLS is returning astronauts to the Moon as part of the Artemis missions and can also launch large, strategic payloads to deep space. SLS successfully launched an uncrewed Orion spacecraft directly to the Moon as part of the successful Artemis I mission in November 2022.

Experience

With more than two decades of service to NASA, Cianciola has served in progressively responsible technical and management roles at Marshall. Prior to his assignment as SLS deputy program manager in 2018, Cianciola served as SLS Chief Safety Officer, responsible for managing and directing the safety program and mission and product assurance activities for the SLS Program.

From 2015 to 2017, Cianciola served as the International Space Station Program Manager for Marshall Payload Operations, responsible for total cost, schedule, and technical implementation of ISS payload operations. Cianciola has also served in key positions in the space shuttle’s reusable solid rocket booster and external tank projects.

Awards

Cianciola is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service, Silver Achievement Medal, Exceptional Achievement Medal, Space Flight Honoree Award, Director’s Commendation, and Silver Snoopy.

Education

A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Cianciola earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Mississippi and a master’s degree in administrative science from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Biography last updated July 2024