Chris Hansen joined NASA at the Johnson Space Center as a Co-operative Education Student in 1991 where he worked on several projects as a structural analyst and designer. After graduating from the University of California at Irvine in 1993 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he joined NASA full-time where he worked as a structural analyst for projects including the Shuttle Plume Impingement Flight Experiment and the Space Shuttle Lightweight Seats project. In 1999, Mr. Hansen earned a Masters of Mechanical Engineering degree from Rice University.

In 2000, Mr. Hansen became the Mechanical Systems Integration Lead for the International Space Station, later worked for the NASA Engineering and Safety Center, and in 2007 became the Chief Engineer for the International Space Station Program, leading a talented team of technical experts dedicated to constructing and flying the International Space Station safely and successfully.

In 2014, Mr. Hansen was named as the Chief of the Crew and Thermal Systems Division which is responsible for the design and engineering of all of NASA’s spacesuits, life support systems, and man-rated thermal vacuum chambers. In 2015, he became the manager of the EVA Office, responsible for integrating all spacewalking activities for NASA. He was named Deputy Program Manager for the EVA and Human Surface Mobility Program in 2022. He grew up in Los Alamos, New Mexico.