 From 1998 to May 2000, Leinbach was the deputy director of Space Station Hardware Integration, responsible for all International Space Station (ISS) processing at KSC, and at contractor locations.During this time, he oversaw the development of a program to verify functionality and operability of the first phase of the ISS Program.In May 2000, Leinbach was assigned to serve as Assistant Launch Director, and was promoted to Launch Director in August 2000.