A native Texan, David Kanipe began attending Texas A&M University in September 1966, majoring in Aerospace Engineering, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in May 1970, followed by an MS in Aerospace Engineering in August 1971. He began work on a Ph.D., but before completing the degree requirements, he accepted a position with NASA at the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston in November 1972. He currently serves as the Chief of the Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics Division in the Engineering Directorate at the Johnson Space Center.

A month after his arrival at NASA, the last Apollo mission - Apollo 17 - was launched; but, the Space Shuttle Program was just beginning. As a result, David was able to begin his career working on what he says was the most interesting project he could possibly imagine - the Space Shuttle. His technical experience at NASA has primarily revolved around aerodynamics and rocket exhaust plume modeling. Most of Mr. Kanipe\’s early career involved modeling and testing rocket plume exhaust interaction with the free-stream flow field; including both the reaction control jets used during entry as well as the solid rocket and liquid main engine plumes of the launch vehicle. He says this experience was very useful when he became involved in the Challenger accident investigation and return-to-flight.

During the Columbia accident investigation, David and his division were instrumental in the analysis of the vehicle breakup scenarios, as well as the aerothermodynamic heating analysis of the wing leading edge conditions during entry.

David became the Deputy Branch Chief of the Aerodynamics Branch in May 1990, and in March 1996 was appointed as Chief of the GN&C Analysis and Design Branch. Subsequently, Mr. Kanipe became the Deputy Chief of the Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics Division in December 1998. He was selected in January 2001 for his current position as Chief of the Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics Division in the Engineering Directorate at the Johnson Space Center.

Mr. Kanipe\’s honors include a Space Flight Awareness Award, a JSC Commendation, and a NASA Exceptional Service Medal.