Denton Gibson Named Launch Director at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center

Denton Gibson has taken on the position of launch director for the Launch Services Program at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

Alongside senior Launch Director Tim Dunn, Gibson will oversee the execution of science and robotic missions and lead a team that handles NASA-managed launch vehicle services, NASA said Monday.

Dunn and Gibson are expected to share responsibility for several 2024 missions, including the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud Ocean Ecosystem program; Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites-U; and Europa Clipper.

Gibson will fill an opening left by retired senior Launch Director Omar Baez.

Gibson most recently served as senior mission manager at Kennedy’s Launch Services Program. NASA said he has experience serving as a liaison between the program and customers from other NASA centers and federal agencies.

His educational background includes a doctorate in systems engineering from the University of Central Florida, a master’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Miami and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Florida in Gainesville.