{"id":376856,"date":"2026-02-27T01:08:57","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T15:08:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?guid=35ee815a159d2580fa31211862769dd7"},"modified":"2026-02-27T01:08:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T15:08:57","slug":"nasa-names-acting-leaders-for-two-key-human-spaceflight-roles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=376856","title":{"rendered":"NASA Names\u00a0Acting Leaders for Two Key Human Spaceflight Roles"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Joel<\/a><\/figure>
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Joel Montalbano, acting associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate <\/div>\n
NASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

On Thursday, NASA announced Joel Montalbano will serve as the acting associate administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD) at NASA Headquarters in Washington, and Dana Hutcherson will serve as the acting program manager of the Commercial Crew Program. <\/p>\n

SOMD\u2019s programs and activities include the Commercial Crew Program, the Commercial Low Earth Orbit Program, the Human Research Program, the International Space Station Program, the Launch Services Program, the Rocket Propulsion Test Program, the Space Communications and Navigation Program, Space Sustainability, and Human Spaceflight Capabilities. <\/p>\n

Both leaders were previously serving as deputies in their respective roles.  <\/p>\n

\u201cStrong leadership is essential to advancing NASA\u2019s mission, and Joel Montalbano and Dana Hutcherson are exceptionally well-qualified to serve in these acting roles,\u201d said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. \u201cTheir experience and commitment will help ensure we deliver on the President\u2019s National Space Policy, maintain American leadership in low Earth orbit, and build the capabilities required to achieve the near-impossible beyond it.\u201d <\/p>\n

Kenneth Bowersox previously announced his retirement, effective Friday, March 6, after which Montalbano will assume the role as acting head of SOMD. Key priorities for Montalbano will include establishing a low Earth orbit economy ahead of retiring the International Space Station and maintaining America\u2019s superiority in space.  <\/p>\n

Prior to his positions at headquarters, Montalbano served as program manager of the International Space Station at NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston, where he was responsible for the overall management, development, integration, and operation of the orbiting laboratory. He also has served as a variety of other roles, including deputy program manager for the International Space Station Program Office; director of NASA\u2019s Human Space Flight Program in Russia; and a NASA flight director. He started his career at Rockwell in 1988 and became a NASA civil servant that same year.  <\/p>\n

Over the course of his career,\u00a0he has\u00a0received\u00a0many honors,\u00a0including\u00a0the\u00a0NASA Distinguished Service Medal,\u00a0Johnson Space Center Directors Commendation, Rank of Meritorious Executive, conferred by the President of the United States, NASA Exceptional Service Medal (twice), the Superior Accomplishment Award, NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, Rotary Space Award Nominee, and\u00a0more.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Montalbano received a bachelor\u2019s degree in aerospace, aeronautical, and astronautical engineering from Iowa State University. <\/p>\n

Through CCP, Hutcherson will continue her work with the American aerospace industry to develop safe, reliable and cost-effective crew transportation systems for low-Earth orbit destinations, including the International Space Station. She is responsible for the facilitation of spacecraft development, certification, and operations to enable the safe transportation of NASA astronauts for the Commercial Crew Program. <\/p>\n

Hutcherson previously served as deputy manager of the CCP Systems Engineering and Integration Office, and as deputy manager of the program\u2019s Launch Vehicle Systems Office. She also has served as a NASA flow director within the Launch Vehicle Processing Directorate at Kennedy, and other roles at NASA. Prior to NASA, she began her career with United Space Alliance as an airframe engineer.  <\/p>\n

Hutcherson has received numerous prestigious honors including Meritorious Presidential Rank Award, NASA\u2019s Space Flight Awareness Leadership Award, and Outstanding Leadership Medal.  <\/p>\n

She holds a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, and a master of science in industrial engineering of engineering management from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. <\/p>\n

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\"Dana<\/a><\/figure>
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Dana Hutcherson, acting program manager for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program<\/div>\n
NASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

For more about NASA\u2019s mission, visit:  <\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/<\/strong><\/p>\n

-end- <\/p>\n

Bethany Stevens \/ Cheryl Warner
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
bethany.c.stevens@nasa.gov<\/a> \/ cheryl.m.warner@nasa.gov<\/a>  <\/p>\n

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