SPACE SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS

Chris Hansen

Vice President, Program Management & Business Development – Space Solutions
Amentum

Chris Hansen is a senior aerospace executive and former NASA leader with over 34 years of experience driving human spaceflight innovation and mission-critical program execution. He currently serves as Vice President of Program Management and Business Development for Amentum’s Space Solutions portfolio, where he leads strategic growth initiatives and fosters industry partnerships across the defense and commercial space sectors.

Prior to joining Amentum in 2024, Mr. Hansen held numerous senior leadership roles at NASA, most recently serving as Deputy Program Manager for the Extravehicular Activity (EVA) and Human Surface Mobility Program, tasked with developing future spacesuit systems and lunar rovers for NASA’s Artemis Program. From 2015 to 2022, he was Manager of NASA’s EVA Office, responsible for integrating all spacewalking hardware and operations across NASA programs. Earlier, he served as Chief of the Crew and Thermal Systems Division, overseeing the design and development of NASA’s spacesuits, life support systems, and man-rated thermal vacuum chambers.

Mr. Hansen’s distinguished NASA tenure also included serving as Chief Engineer for the International Space Station (ISS) Program from 2007 to 2014 and leading the 2013 EVA Mishap Investigation Board following a high-profile incident involving astronaut Luca Parmitano. He was the recipient of NASA’s 2016 Federal Engineer of the Year Award and was awarded NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal in 2025.

In his current role at Amentum, Mr. Hansen drives market analysis, customer engagement, and strategic planning efforts in collaboration with Amentum’s Engineering & Technology, Space Solutions, and Strategy & Corporate Development teams.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Irvine, and a Master of Mechanical Engineering from Rice University.

Related Sessions

Space Technology Hall of Fame & Awards Luncheon

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

12:15 pm - 1:45 pm

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