President Joe Biden will nominate former NASA astronaut and Air Force Colonel Pamela Melroy to serve as NASA’s deputy administrator, according to a White House announcement released on Friday (April 16).
Biden announced in March that he had nominated former senator Bill Nelson as leader of the agency; both nominations must be approved by the Senate. During her time as an astronaut, Melroy was one of only two women to command the spacecraft.
“It is a great honor to be nominated by President Biden to support Senator Nelson and help lead NASA,” Melroy said in a statement obtained by Florida Today. “The agency is critical in America’s fight to combat climate change and maintain leadership in space.”
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As a NASA astronaut, Melroy flew three spacecraft missions during the construction of the International Space Station, including two flights on Discovery and one on Atlantis, according to her NASA biography. She was mission commander of her last flight in 2007, and joined Eileen Collins as the only two women to command the spacecraft.
While not flying herself, Melroy acted as Capsule Communicator, the person in Mission Control who talks to crew members in space and in other support roles. In addition, she serves on two teams formed by NASA following the loss of the Columbia spacecraft in 2003 to collect debris and investigate the disaster.
Melroy served in the Air Force before becoming an astronaut. She retired from NASA in 2009 to work first for the Federal Aviation Administration and then for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). After his election in November, Biden chose her to serve on the NASA review team that helped facilitate his transition to the agency.
Nelson’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Trade, Science and Transport Committee is scheduled for Wednesday (April 21). During his time in the Senate, Nelson sat on the same committee.
“I believe Pam Melroy will be an excellent partner in helping NASA lead,” Bill Nelson said in a statement obtained by Florida Today. “Pam has the years of technical and leadership experience that will help NASA on its mission to explore the cosmos, expand climate change research, and ensure that NASA-developed technologies benefit life here on Earth.”
Acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk also welcomed the decision in a statement released by NASA today.
“Pam’s experience as an astronaut, shuttle commander and U.S. Air Force pilot will give NASA a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing the agency,” Jurczyk said. “Pam is driven by the desire to solve the biggest problems here on earth, throughout the solar system and beyond. She is a proven leader with a brave vision, and if I am confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to with her and Sen. Nelson to ensure NASA’s future success. ‘
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include comments from acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk. Email Meghan Bartels at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @meghanbartels. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.