David Dress

M.S., Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences, George Washington University
B.S., Aerospace and Ocean Engineering, Virginia Tech

David Dress is the Director of Civil Space for Gravitics, Inc., a developer and supplier of space station infrastructure and cargo carriers. Prior to this position, David retired from the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) in Hampton, Virginia on December 31st, 2023 after 41 years of service. David was the Director of the Space Technology and Exploration Directorate (STED) at NASA Langley. This this role, David led the Directorate in creating, advocating, managing, and executing a diverse portfolio of projects supporting the Agency’s Space Technology and Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorates (STMD, ESDMD, and SOMD). In addition, he served as the Center Programmatic Lead for Advanced Manufacturing, ensuring LaRC’s structures and materials expertise was utilized for both NASA’s and broader manufacturing needs. Prior to being the Director, David was the STED Associate Director for Space Technology and Advanced Development Programs. In this role, he led the STED business development team in the advocacy, customer interface, integration, formulation, and implementation of NASA LaRC’s broad portfolio of projects supporting STMD. This included a significant number of public/private partnerships with the space community through STMD’s Announcement of Collaborative Opportunities and Tipping Points solicitations as well as other collaborative mechanisms. Previously, David was the Deputy of the Space Technology Projects Office at NASA LaRC. In addition, he was the LaRC Lead for the Level II Constellation Program activities and the Lead for the Mission and Technical Integration Group (at the Johnson Space Center) in Systems Engineering and Integration for Constellation where he served as the SE&I Mission Lead for the Ares I-X Test Flight. Previous jobs from 2003 to 2007 included Deputy Director for Experimental Research Services and Head of the Research Facilities Branch. From 1994 to 2003, David served as Facility Manager of the Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel and the 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel. From 1981 until 1994, David was a researcher with expertise in advanced experimental techniques, including cryogenic testing, magnetic suspension and balance systems, adaptive wall technologies, and high-speed dynamic stability testing. David received his B.S. degree in Aerospace and Ocean Engineering from Virginia Tech and a Master’s degree in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences from George Washington University.

David has received numerous awards during his career including the NASA Exceptional Service Medal in 2012 (Exceptional Leadership and Contributions to Aeronautics and Human Exploration). In addition, David has published over 40 papers, is an Associate Fellow in the AIAA, and was recently selected for induction into the 2024 Academy of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering Excellence at Virginia Tech.