Joseph Chestnut

Experience

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  United States Air Force

  Aug 2001 - May 2018

  • Executed Group Commander space launch operations policies regarding Patrick AFB and Cape Canaveral • Served as focal point and trusted agent between the Group Commander and higher headquarters and establishes administrative procedures and policy guidance to 2 squadrons and 5 mission partners• Managed launch operations with Space and Missiles Center, NASA, NRO and the Eastern Range • Air Force’s Lead for the first NASA Orion test fight and fostered US return to manned spaceflight • Led 2 GPS block IIF satellite launch campaigns and safely delivered $734 million in assets to orbit• Executed NROL-33 mission by managing critical Atlas V engine, $554M recon satellite into a precise orbit Show less • Standardized and created space operation policies for 29 weapon systems at 44 locations within 155 units, conducted inspections and assessed/evaluated units' operational combat capabilities and readiness• Performed 24/7/365 ops as a combat mission ready orbital analyst crew lead in JFCC Space’s SSA Cell• Predicted and prevented over two thousand potential satellite collisions ensured global safety spaceflight and maintained space domain awareness (SDA), space situational awareness (SSA) Show less

  • MILSATCOM Warfighting Integration Cell Chief / AEHF Launch Operations Lead Chief

    Mar 2016 - May 2018

  • 45 LCG Executive Officer, 5th Space Launch Squadron Flight Mission Lead

    Jan 2013 - Mar 2016

  • Orbital Analyst, Collision Avoidance, Trainer, Evaluator, Joint Space Operations Center, 14 AF, UTM

    Jun 2008 - Dec 2012

  • F-16 Aircraft Electrical / Environmental Systems Craftsman

    Jun 2005 - Jun 2008

  • AWACS / E-3B Aircraft Electrical / Environmental Systems Craftsman

    Aug 2001 - Jul 2005
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  National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)

  May 2018 - now

  • Manages dynamic military, government service, FFRDC team in aspects of launch/satellite acquisition• Leads contractors/mission partners/ops organizations ensuring personnel, products, hardware, and software ready for launch and E2 engineering support of current operational and demo SPO systems• Responsible for managing cost, schedule and performance for future SPO operational systems• Leads 25+, contractor-procured and National Security Space Launches, supporting multiple MSAs, pushing the boundaries of overhead capabilities, satellite acquisition and response satellite operations Show less • Directed integration & launch of four $1B+ reconnaissance satellites providing warfighter intelligence• Performed duties of contract line item number (CLIN) manager and ensured contractor performance • Extensive experience with multiple launch ranges including Vandenberg, Cape Canaveral, Kennedy Space Center, NASA Wallops launch facility and international launch capabilities• Certified readiness for 300+ member team/ acted as NRO POC for integration and launch execution• Drove 75-members through 2 international launches, delivered vital IC sets to decision makers Show less

  • Chief, Flying SPO Ops Division

    Jul 2023 - now

  • Deputy Chief, Flying SPO Ops Division

    Apr 2023 - Jul 2023

  • Mission Manager, Office of Space Launch

    May 2021 - Apr 2023

  • NSSL Companion Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR), Office of Space Launch

    May 2018 - May 2021