John Honeycutt

John Honeycutt is the manager of NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) Program at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. He is responsible for directing all SLS Program activities, including development and operations of SLS, America’s deep space rocket for human and scientific exploration. SLS is an evolvable rocket, with its initial Block 1 variant having successfully launched the uncrewed Artemis I mission in November 2022. Future variants, Block 1B and Block 2, will be more powerful, have additional safety features, and able to take advantage of daily launch windows.

Experience

Named to the post in October 2015 after serving two years as the program’s deputy manager, he leads a nationwide workforce of more than 4,200 civil servants and contractors with a current annual budget of approximately $2.5 billion. Honeycutt is responsible for all facets of the program, including planning, procurement, development, testing, evaluation, production, and operation of the integrated SLS deep space rocket.

Prior to this assignment, Honeycutt served as the SLS deputy chief engineer and deputy manager for the SLS Stages Office, and manager of the Space Shuttle External Tank Project. In October 2012, he was appointed to the Senior Executive Service, the personnel system covering top managerial positions in federal agencies.

Awards

He has received numerous NASA awards, including the Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Executive Service, NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, Exceptional Achievement Medal, Management Space Flight Awareness Award, the Silver Snoopy Award, Silver Achievement Medal, a Center Director’s Commendation, and various group achievement awards.

Education

Mr. Honeycutt graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

Biography last updated July 2024