About The Author

In 2020 Steven celebrated his 30th anniversary with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Presently he resides at NASA HQ in Washington D.C. within the Office of Chief Engineer where he serves as the Chief Engineer for Aeronautics.

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After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautics University in 1986, and a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering at The University of Texas – Austin in 1989, Steven began his NASA career at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, joining the ranks Space Shuttle flight controllers in the eponymous Mission Control. Serving as an EGIL, Steven supported fifty-five Space Shuttle missions on console over the next eleven years, including ten launches and landings, on some of the Space Shuttle Program’s most historic missions. Working side-by-side with many of the Mission Control veterans of the Apollo Moon landing missions who were approaching retirement, Mr. Hirshorn was able to gain from the experience and wisdom of these space-age greats.     

 

At the end of both the Shuttle and Constellation Programs in 2011, Steven moved to NASA HQ, initially serving in one of NASA’s aeronautics research programs. In 2013, Steve transferred to the Office of Chief Engineer, where he still resides.  

 

Most recently, in 2020, Steve served a detail in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate as the Assistant Deputy Associate Administrator for Programs, overseeing NASA’s portfolio of nearly 100 science missions both in development and operations.

 

Steve resides in Mt. Airy, Maryland with his wife Robin, our two cats (Eowyn and Freya), two koi ponds, and an acre of forested bliss. In addition to his NASA and authoring pursuits, Steve enjoys mountaineering, international travel, and shares a passion for all things Star Trek (which offers so many life lessons).