NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced on Tuesday that Dr. Kurt “Spazz” Vogel will assume the role of Deputy Administrator for the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) in Washington, effective immediately.
Vogel will succeed James Reuter, who retired from the department in June 2023. Since then, Dr. Prasun Desai has served as acting deputy director and will now return to his previous role as acting deputy director of STMD.
“With more than 30 years of public service, including his most recent role as director of NASA’s Space Architecture Division, Spud brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate,” Nelson said. “I am confident that his leadership will enable NASA to continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in space technology and advance American leadership in space.”
In this role, Vogel is responsible for the executive leadership, overall strategic planning and direction, and effective management of all elements of STMD’s $1.2 billion budgeted space technology program. He plans, directs, coordinates, and evaluates the full range of space technology programs and activities, including budget development and execution, and represents the program to appropriate officials within and outside the agency.
Vogel was previously appointed director of the Space Architecture Division in the Office of the Administrator at NASA Headquarters, a role he has held since July 19, 2021.
He comes to the agency with 34 years of government experience, primarily in the Department of Defense.
Prior to joining NASA, Vogel spent six years at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) where he led innovative research into stealth technology, electronic warfare, airspace integration, and space control systems. He managed a portfolio of highly classified, cutting-edge, high-risk programs across multiple DARPA offices.
Prior to joining DARPA, Mr. Vogel led research and development for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Systems Technology Office, where he oversaw the Department of Defense’s science and technology portfolio. He also served as Deputy Chief Engineer for the National Reconnaissance Office’s Survivability Assurance Office. He retired from active duty in 2010 after more than 21 years of service in the U.S. Air Force in both aeronautics and space.
Vogel earned his Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degrees in Astronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology and his Bachelor of Science in Astronautical Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy. He is a member of the National Honor Societies in both Engineering and Aerospace Engineering.
To learn more about Vogel’s experiences, check out his full biography online.
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Faith McKee / Jimi Russell
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
faith.d.mckie@nasa.gov / james.j.russell@nasa.gov
