Speakers
James Layton
James Layton began Lockheed Martin in 1997 as a design engineer on the Space Shuttle External Tank Program. In 1998 he became a composite design engineer for research and development. In 2003, he represented LM Michoud for composite parts being built on the F-35 joint Strike Program in Fort Worth, TX. In 2005 he was asked to join the Orion Program as heatshield design lead for the LM proposal. Upon winning the contract, he was given the role of Orion Spacecraft Adaptor engineering Manager, and am now the Launch Abort System Build Manager at Michoud. James Layton graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1996 at the Daytona Beach campus in Aerospace Engineering.
Advanced Composite Manufacturing for the Orion Program at Michoud
As composite materials quickly become the mainstay in aircraft and spacecraft design, the Orion program have utilized these advanced materials and processes to reduce precious weight-to-orbit as well as increase automation in manufacturing to help reduce costs and workmanship variability.