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Mr. Grabe is Executive Vice President and General Manager of Orbital's Launch Systems Group. He was promoted to his current position in October 1999 following five years of senior-level management technical and marketing roles in the launch systems area. Mr. Grabe was also Orbital's representative and chairman of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee which advises the Secretary of Transportation on commercial space issues.
Prior to joining Orbital Mr. Grabe was a NASA astronaut for 15 years during which time he flew four Space Shuttle missions. From 1983 to 1985 he served as deputy manager operations integration for the Space Shuttle Program Office. In 1985 he piloted the Space Shuttle on the Department of Defense's Mission 51-J. In 1986 he served as NASA Headquarters liaison to the Challenger Commission. Following that assignment in 1989 Mr. Grabe piloted Space Shuttle Mission STS-30 which launched the Magellan scientific probe to Venus. From 1989 to 1991 he was the lead astronaut for development of the International Space Station. Mr. Grabe was next assigned to command a 1992 international Spacelab mission (STS-42) that performed micro-gravity experiments in life sciences and material sciences. Mr. Grabe commanded his fourth Shuttle flight (STS-57) in a 1993 mission to retrieve the EURECA satellite.
Mr. Grabe also served in the U.S. Air Force attaining the rank of Colonel. During his military career Col. Grabe served as a test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base on the F-111 and A-7. He also served as an exchange test pilot with the Royal Air Force at RAF Boscombe Down UK. During this tour he was the chief test pilot for the Royal Navy Sea Harrier program. His career also included service as a fighter pilot at Cannon AFB New Mexico and at Bien Hoa AB Republic of Vietnam. During his career he accumulated more than 7 000 hours of flight time in high performance aircraft and flew 200 combat missions.
Mr. Grabe's honors include:
The United States Air Force Legion of Merit
The Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross
The Royal Air Force Cross
The Defense Meritorious Service Medal
The Defense Superior Service Medal
The NASA Outstanding Leadership Award
The NASA Exceptional Service Award
The Liethen-Title Award Outstanding Graduate USAF Test Pilot School
Mr. Grabe earned his bachelor's degree in engineering science from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs Colorado. He conducted postgraduate studies as a Fulbright Scholar in aerodynamics at the Technische Hochschule Darmstadt Germany. | 