Thomas Perrin Email & Phone Number

Marshall Space Flight Center, Al

June 2021 – Present: Manage the risk management effort for the $75M/yr. Cryogenic Fluid Management (CFM) Portfolio Project Office at MSFC. The Project Office manages all CFM research across the agency. Work with project leadership to identify and capture risks within four CFM portfolios – Technologies, Subsystems, Modeling, and [on-orbit] Demonstrations. Facilitate monthly Risk Management Boards and publish monthly risk status reports. Developed and use a tailored application of risk-informed decision-making (RIDM) to support concept selection for the Large Cryogenic [satellite] Demonstration (LCD) planned for the early 2030s. Sep 2019 – June 2021: Planned and implemented the risk management system for the Solar Cruiser solar sail technology demonstration project. Worked with subject matter experts (SMEs) to identify and characterize nearly 100 risks for the project. Categorized risks as design & construction risks, launch & deployment risks, or sailcraft operations risks, and vetted risks through a formal Risk Management Board (RMB). Prepared and presented the status of risk management at the successful System Requirements Review (SRR).Performed design verification for the Space Launch System (SLS) upper stage. Worked with the upper stage prime contractors and NASA subject matter experts to document the design of upper stage systems and subsystems to ensure they conform to requirements and specifications. Prepared and presented verification data to the verification review and approval board (VRAB), which led to a successful upper stage Design Certification Review (DCR).Aug 2012 – Sep 2019: Performed ground operations planning, concept definition, scenario development, ground operations flow development, trade studies, operations requirements development, and related system requirements definition, with emphasis on vehicle ground operations and associated interfaces for NASA's Space Launch System (SLS).

Nasa/Marshall Space Flight Center

Led formal trade study of 35 NASA and contractor engineers across three NASA centers assessing the need for launch pad stabilization, damping, and tie-down for the Ares I launch vehicle. Sold the results within the Ares Project and Constellation program, and developed changes to vehicle and ground systems requirements documents to reflect trade study results. Worked with Ares I structural engineers, and KSC ground systems structural and mechanical engineers to implement trade study recommendations. Supervised a team of employees and subcontractors performing functional analysis, requirements management, interface documentation, verification planning, and technical integration for the Ares I and Ares V vehicles. Increased manpower from 7 to 12 persons. $2M budget. Revised contract task orders as necessary to reflect increased staffing and changing customer needs.

Hurlburt Field, Fl

Commanded a 40-man Battlefield Coordination Detachment at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Provided targeting coordination and staff liaison between the Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces and the U.S. Army Pacific. Achieved and maintained unit wartime readiness in joint Army-Air Force exercises in Hawaii, Japan, Korea, and Australia.

Birmingham, Al

Deputy Chief of Staff for Information Management (DCSIM) for a two-star Army Reserve Command in Birmingham, Alabama. $7M budget. Directed a staff of 50 soldiers, Army civilians, and contractor personnel. Maintained computer network connecting 156 separate locations across 8 southeast states, including computer repair services and help desk operations. Established systematic modernization program and ramped up operations in support of troop mobilizations to Afghanistan and Iraq.

Huntsville, Al

Established Huntsville office for Textron Systems Corporation to support ongoing work for the U.S. Army Space & Missile Defense Command (SMDC). Maintained routine customer interface with SMDC regarding TSC progress in developing high energy, solid state lasers. Pursued business opportunities with the U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command and the U.S. Army Air Defense School.

Huntsville, Al

Planned and conducted test readiness reviews, and monitored vibration, thermal, and EMI testing for the X-Ray Telescope (a primary instrument of the Hinode Solar Observatory, now in orbit). Led group of thermal, mechanical, and electrical engineers in solving a problem with spacecraft heating during periods of darkness.Established verification procedures and led hardware verification work for the Solar-B (Hinode) X-Ray Telescope and GLAST Burst Monitor projects. Modified verification database tool to generate verification statistics for project managers. Prepared acceptance data packages pursuant to NASA acceptance/possession of flight hardware.

Huntsville, Al

Led 45 employees in training and other preparation to support payload operations for space shuttle (Spacelab) mission STS-42, to include mission design, mission simulation, astronaut training, payload operations, and control center operations. Routinely interfaced with the NASA Payload Operations Director and Payload Mission Manager. Ensured personnel training and readiness to “fly” the mission. Received superior ratings from NASA/ MSFC.

Huntsville, Al

Led a team that assessed the potential of small satellites for Army tactical reconnaissance. Evaluated national assets and identified shortfalls in support to battlefield commanders. Developed performance requirements for a small satellite, assessed the state of technology to meet those requirements, and developed an initial design for a small synthetic aperture radar satellite. Led team that developed the first Army Space Architecture for the Army Space Institute at Fort Leavenworth, KS. Developed plans for the use of space systems to support tactical operations in the areas of reconnaissance, communications, navigation, weather forecasting, fire support, and military man in space.

Master Of Science, Space Studies

Completed MS in Space Studies in December 2015 with concentration on engineering of space systems. Thesis research "Architecture Study.

Masters, Strategic Studies

Ms, Systems Engineering

Bs, General Engineering