Christopher Scolese has had a distinguished career at NASA, serving in various high-level positions that have shaped the agency's direction and capabilities. Prior to his role as NASA's Associate Administrator, a position he assumed in July 2007, Scolese was the agency's Chief Engineer. His responsibilities in this role included coordinating the programmatic and institutional aspects of NASA to ensure effective operations. Scolese's background also includes serving as the Deputy Center Director at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and as the Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Science. His tenure at NASA has been marked by efforts to foster collaboration among the engineering organizations across NASA's Centers, enhancing their ability to support each other and share resources efficiently. Scolese's leadership has been instrumental in promoting closer cooperation between the engineering and safety and mission assurance sectors within NASA, recognizing the importance of these relationships in the success of the agency's missions.

Scope and Content Note
The interview with Christopher Scolese, conducted as part of the NASA at 50 Oral History Project, provides a comprehensive overview of his contributions to NASA and his vision for the agency's future. Scolese discusses his role in coordinating the technical operations of NASA, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and communication in the execution of complex space missions that often involve multiple directorates, centers, agencies, and countries. He reflects on the advancements in scientific discovery and technology over the past 20 years, including improvements in Earth science, climate modeling, human physiology, and aeronautics. Scolese also shares his perspective on the challenges and rewards of working at NASA, highlighting the creative energy required to solve unique problems such as landing on Mars or repairing a torn solar array in space. The interview captures Scolese's enthusiasm for NASA's mission and his strategic insights, including the importance of thorough testing and not relying solely on heritage when approaching space missions. His anticipation for the next 50 years of NASA's exploration and his commitment to its strategic vision are evident throughout the conversation.