NASA has appointed David Korth as deputy administrator for Safety and Mission Assurance at Johnson Space Center. Koth previously served as deputy manager of the International Space Station Avionics and Software Office at Johnson Space Center and later as acting deputy for safety and mission assurance.
"I'm excited to serve as Johnson's deputy administrator for Safety and Mission Assurance," said Koth. "Throughout my NASA career, safety has always been my top priority. This is at the forefront of every decision I make. "
Korth brings more than 34 years of experience to NASA's human space flight program. Prior to supporting the Space Station Avionics and Software Office, Mr. Korth served as deputy manager of the program’s Systems Engineering and Integration Office, where he also led acquisitions for the agency’s commercial destination program, ultimately selecting Axiom Space.
Mr. Koth began his career at NASA as an engineer on the Space Station Program Operations Planning Team, helping to develop the orbiting laboratory's preliminary operational concepts and planning system requirements. He transitioned into the civil service in 1998 and was one of the first three people to receive the space station's "OPS PLAN" front-office operator front-office certification. Koth also served as chief operations planner for Expedition 1, the first manned expedition to the space station, received two NASA scholarships, served as a technical assistant in the Operations Division of the Mission Operations Directorate, was selected as flight director in May 2007, and Served as chief space station flight director for Expeditions 21, 22, and 37, chief flight director for the Japanese cargo ship mission HTV3, and chief flight director for the U.S. EVA 22, 23, 27.

"David did an outstanding job supporting Johnson's many programs and agency security needs during his tenure as acting deputy manager," said Safety and Mission Assurance Director Willie Lyles. "He successfully weighed several critical risk-based decisions with the technical authority community. David's program and flight operations experience is unique and an asset to this role."
Throughout his career, Koth has been recognized for his outstanding technical achievements and leadership, receiving the Rotary National Space Achievement Award, the Silver Snoopy Award, two Outstanding Achievement Awards, two NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal and a NASA Distinguished Achievement Medal.
"David is an outstanding leader and engineer who truly understands NASA's safety environment and protocols," said Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA's Johnson Space Center. "His leadership will ensure that the center continues to uphold a 'safety first' philosophy. I am very pleased to announce his selection for this position."
Mr. Korth earned a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University and a master's degree in statistics from the University of Houston at Clear Lake.