NASA Names New Wallops Flight Facility Director

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WASHINGTON -- NASA Administrator Charles Bolden has named William
Wrobel as director of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Wallops
Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Va., and director of the center's
Suborbital and Special Orbital Projects Directorate. This directorate
manages the agency's sounding rockets and scientific balloon
programs.

Wrobel, the assistant associate administrator for launch services at
NASA Headquarters, will continue in that capacity until several
near-term activities are completed and an effective transfer to an
acting assistant associate administrator can be accomplished. In this
role, he is responsible for the administration, management and
direction of the acquisition and certification of expendable launch
vehicles within the agency. In addition, he manages the overall
policy definition, strategic planning, direction and administration
of the Rocket Propulsion Test Program.

"Bill is a natural fit as Wallop's director," Bolden said. "His
background, experience and knowledge about NASA's various suborbital
and orbital programs will benefit the agency and our many research
partners who count on Wallops for support."

The Wallops Flight Facility conducts suborbital research programs
using sounding rockets, scientific balloons and aircraft. Wallops
operates a test range that includes tracking facilities, a research
airport and a rocket launch range for suborbital and orbital
vehicles. The test range supports activities for government agencies,
academia and the aerospace industry.

Wrobel earned his bachelor's degree in aeronautics and astronautics
from the Ohio State University in 1982, and went to work for
McDonnell Douglas on the Delta Launch Vehicle Program. While at
McDonnell Douglas, he worked in a variety of spacecraft programs
before joining Orbital Sciences Corporation in 1990.

In 1999, he was named the program director for Orbital's Taurus Launch
Vehicle Program. He also supported the company's Advanced Programs
Group, providing satellite development support for Department of
Defense customers.

Wrobel joined NASA in August 2006. He replaces John Campbell, who
retired on Dec. 31, 2009. Campbell had been the Wallops director
since January 2002.

For more information about NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/wallops

Source: NASA