Meet the Team (COTS/CRS)

Ronald J. Grabe, Executive Vice President & General Manager
Launch Systems Group

Mr. Grabe is Executive Vice President and General Manager of Orbital's Launch Systems Group. He was promoted to his current position in October 1999 following five years of senior-level management, technical and marketing roles in the launch systems area. Prior to joining Orbital, Mr. Grabe was a NASA astronaut for 15 years, during which time he flew four Space Shuttle missions. From 1983 to 1985, he served as deputy manager, operations integration, for the Space Shuttle Program Office. In 1985, he piloted the Space Shuttle on the Department of Defense's Mission 51-J. In 1986, he served as NASA Headquarters liaison to the Challenger Commission. Following that assignment, in 1989, Mr. Grabe piloted Space Shuttle Mission STS-30, which launched the Magellan scientific probe to Venus. From 1989 to 1991, he was the lead astronaut for development of the International Space Station. Mr. Grabe was next assigned to command a 1992 international Spacelab mission (STS-42) that performed micro-gravity experiments in life sciences and material sciences. Mr. Grabe commanded his fourth Shuttle flight (STS-57) in a 1993 mission to retrieve the EURECA satellite.

Mr. Grabe also served in the U.S. Air Force, attaining the rank of Colonel. During his military career, Col. Grabe served as a test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base on the F-111 and A-7. He also served as an exchange test pilot with the Royal Air Force at RAF Boscombe Down, UK. During this tour, he was the chief test pilot for the Royal Navy Sea Harrier program. His career also included service as a fighter pilot at Cannon AFB, New Mexico, and at Bien Hoa AB, Republic of Vietnam. During his career he accumulated more than 7,000 hours of flight time in high performance aircraft and flew 200 combat missions.
Mr. Grabe's honors include:

• The United States Air Force Legion of Merit
  
• The Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross
  
• The Royal Air Force Cross
  
• The Defense Meritorious Service Medal
  
• The Defense Superior Service Medal
  
• The NASA Outstanding Leadership Award
  
• The NASA Exceptional Service Award
  

Brent Collins, Senior Vice President and Antares Program Manager

Mr. Collins is responsible for the management of the development and fielding of the Antares space launch vehicle as well as the establishment of launch-related facilities at the rocket’s planned Wallops Island, Virginia launch site.

Prior to joining the Antares team, Mr. Collins served as the Deputy General manager of the company’s Launch Systems Group. Mr. Collins’ distinguished career spans 35 years of experience in space and missile systems during which he served as an active duty officer and in civil service positions for the U.S. Air Force and in increasingly responsible positions in the private sector.

Prior to joining Orbital, Mr. Collins worked for The Boeing Company as Chief Engineer for the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system interceptor program and as Chief Technologist for Boeing’s Missile Defense Systems unit.  Before joining Boeing, Mr. Collins spent 32 years in service with the U.S. Air Force, attaining the active duty rank of Colonel and subsequently serving as a civilian member of the Senior Executive Service.  His military service culminated in a 4-year period at the Pentagon during which he served as the Deputy Mission Area Director for Space Acquisition Programs, directing the planning and budgeting for Air Force satellite and space launch systems programs on the Air Staff.  Mr. Collins also served as the Air Force Program Executive Officer for Space at the Pentagon where he was responsible for managing the cost, schedule and performance of a $4 billion portfolio of programs.  These included the Global Positioning System and the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle programs, as well as military communications satellites, ballistic missile warning satellites and the U.S. ICBM systems.

Mr. Collins received a B.S. degree in Engineering Mechanics from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a M.S. degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  He is also a graduate of the Defense Systems Management College.