Thomas Flatley

Background

About Thomas Flatley

Former Supervisory Computer Engineer at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and Head of the Science Data Processing Branch (2007-2019). Prior to this assignment he served as Branch Head and senior researcher in the Science Data Systems Branch (2005-2007), and Chief Technologist and Acting Associate Head of the Microelectronics & Signal Processing Branch and Electrical Systems Branch (2003-2004). From 1998-2002 he served as Chief Technologist and Associate Head of the Ground Systems Hardware Branch, and from 1993-1997 he served as head of the Flight Electrical Systems Section and Flight Component Development Group. Prior to this period he developed numerous flight and ground components and subsystems for various NASA missions, beginning in 1985. Mr. Flatley's current work includes the coordination of embedded science data processing technology development and hardware accelerated science data processing activities, serving as Principal Investigator on multiple flight processing experiments, with the primary goal of developing re-configurable computing technology and hybrid systems for flight and ground science data processing applications. He is also a key member of the GSFC CubeSat/SmallSat technology working group, manages numerous collaborations with government, industry and academic partners, and serves as liaison between technology developers and end users in the science community. Mr. Flatley received a 2011 NASA “Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal”, the 2012 American Astronautical Society “William Randolph Lovelace II Award”, the 2013 Goddard “Innovator of the Year” award, a 2015 NASA “Silver Achievement Medal”, and the 2015 Rotary National Award for Space Achievement “Stellar Award” for advancing spaceflight and space exploration technology through the development of SpaceCube. Mr. Flatley was named a Goddard Senior Fellow in 2016.