Robert Champion

Robert Champion serves as the Element Manager for the Exploration Upper Stage at NASA, commencing this role in March 2024. With a long tenure at Marshall Space Flight Center since September 1986, Champion has held various leadership positions, including Deputy Director of the Propulsion Systems Department, where responsibilities encompassed the delivery of integrated propulsion products and engineering services. Previous roles include Director of the Michoud Assembly Facility, where oversight involved facility operations and transitions towards multi-agency manufacturing capabilities. Champion's career highlights also include tenures as Chief Engineer for Propulsion System Engineering and Integration and Project Manager for significant projects such as the Boeing Orbital Space Plane. Holding a BSAE in Aerospace Engineering from Auburn University and having participated in the Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program at Harvard Kennedy School, Champion's extensive expertise supports NASA’s exploratory and transportation missions.