U.S. Senate Confirms Former Space Shuttle Astronaut Pam Melroy as NASA Deputy Administrator

served as pilot on Space Shuttle missions STS-92 and STS-112

(NASA) – The U.S. Senate confirmed Pam Melroy on Thursday as the deputy administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

“It’s an honor to be confirmed by the Senate to serve as NASA Deputy Administrator, and I am humbled by President Biden and Vice President Harris’ confidence in me,” Melroy said.

Melroy, 59, is a retired United States Air Force officer and a former NASA astronaut. She served as pilot on Space Shuttle missions STS-92 and STS-112 and commanded mission STS-120 before leaving the agency in August 2009.

After serving as Deputy Program Manager, Space Exploration Initiatives with Lockheed Martin, Melroy joined the Federal Aviation Administration in 2011, where she was a senior technical advisor and director of field operations for the FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation.

In 2013, she left the FAA and joined DARPA as Deputy Director of the Tactical Technology Office. She left the agency in February 2017.

“I look forward to returning to the NASA family and working with Administrator Nelson to ensure the United States continues to lead in space and beyond – exploring the wonders of the universe, expanding the Earth science research critical to combatting climate change, unlocking scientific discoveries that will change the world as we know it, and inspiring the next generation of discoverers and dreamers,” said Melroy.

Melroy will be inducted into the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The ceremony, planned for May 2020, has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Pam is a pioneer and veteran of NASA, and will be an outstanding leader as we venture farther out to the stars,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “We certainly are lucky to have her on board, and I look forward to leading NASA with her as a team.”

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