Pamela Melroy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pamela Melroy
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Official portrait, 2023
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| 15th Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration | |
| In office June 21, 2021 – January 20, 2025 |
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| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | James Morhard |
| Personal details | |
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Pamela Ann Melroy
September 17, 1961 Palo Alto, California, U.S. |
| Education | Wellesley College (BA) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MS) |
| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
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Time in space
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38d 20h 6m |
| Selection | NASA Group 15 (1994) |
| Missions | STS-92 STS-112 STS-120 |
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Mission insignia
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Pamela Ann Melroy (born September 17, 1961) is a retired United States Air Force officer and NASA astronaut. She currently serves as the deputy administrator of NASA. This means she helps lead the entire space agency!
Before her current role, Pamela Melroy was a pilot on two Space Shuttle missions: STS-92 and STS-112. She also commanded the mission STS-120. She left NASA in 2009. Later, she worked for other important groups like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and DARPA. In 2021, she was honored by being added to the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame.
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Early Life and Education
Pamela Melroy was born in Palo Alto, California. She finished high school in Rochester, New York, in 1979. She then went to Wellesley College. In 1983, she earned a degree in Physics and Astronomy.
She continued her studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 1984, she received her master's degree in Earth and Planetary Science. Later, in 2008, she received an honorary degree from Iona College.
Career Journey
Military Service
Pamela Melroy joined the Air Force ROTC in 1984. After getting her master's degree, she trained to be a pilot. She graduated from pilot training in 1985. For six years, she flew the KC-10 aircraft. She worked as a copilot, aircraft commander, and instructor pilot.
She took part in military operations like the United States invasion of Panama and Desert Shield/Desert Storm. She flew over 200 combat missions. In 1991, she attended the Air Force Test Pilot School. After graduating, she became a test pilot for the C-17 aircraft. She flew over 5,000 hours in more than 50 different types of aircraft. She retired from the Air Force in 2007.
Becoming a NASA Astronaut
In December 1994, NASA chose Pamela Melroy to become an astronaut. She started her training at the Johnson Space Center in March 1995. After a year of training, she became qualified to fly as a Space Shuttle pilot.
She helped astronauts prepare for launches and landings. She also worked on future space projects. She even served as a CAPCOM, which means she was the main person talking to the astronauts from mission control. After the Space Shuttle Columbia accident, she helped investigate what happened. Her last job at NASA was leading the Orion branch of the Astronaut Office.
Pamela Melroy flew as a pilot on two Space Shuttle missions: STS-92 in 2000 and STS-112 in 2002. In 2007, she became the commander of mission STS-120. This made her only the second woman to command a Space Shuttle mission, after Eileen Collins. During the STS-120 mission, the crew visited the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS was commanded by Peggy Whitson, who was the first female ISS commander. This was the first time two female commanders were in space at the same time!
She has spent over 924 hours, or more than 38 days, in space.
Spaceflight Missions
- STS-92 Discovery (October 11–24, 2000): This 13-day mission launched from Kennedy Space Center. The crew attached new parts, the Z1 Truss and Pressurized Mating Adapter 3, to the International Space Station. They used Discovery's robotic arm and did four spacewalks. This mission helped prepare the ISS for its first permanent crew. The shuttle traveled 5.3 million miles.
- STS-112 Atlantis (October 7–18, 2002): This mission also launched from Kennedy Space Center. It was an ISS assembly mission. The crew delivered and installed the S1 Truss, which was a big part of the station's structure. Three spacewalks were needed to set up this new piece. Pamela Melroy helped guide the spacewalkers from inside the shuttle. This mission was the first to use a camera on the External Tank, showing live views of the launch. The shuttle traveled 4.5 million miles.
- STS-120 Discovery (October 23 – November 7, 2007): Pamela Melroy commanded this mission. The crew delivered the Harmony module (Node 2) to the International Space Station. This module allows more international laboratories to be added to the station. They also moved a large solar array. During this move, the array panels got snagged and damaged. An unplanned spacewalk was done to fix the array, which was successful. The mission lasted over 15 days and traveled 6.2 million miles.
Deputy Administrator of NASA
In November 2020, Pamela Melroy joined President-elect Joe Biden's team. She helped with the changeover related to NASA. On April 16, 2021, the White House announced that she would be nominated to be NASA's deputy administrator. She would work under former Senator Bill Nelson, who was nominated to be the administrator.
Her nomination was sent to the Senate. On May 20, 2021, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a hearing. Pamela Melroy received strong support from both political parties. During the hearing, she said she would support keeping the International Space Station running longer. She also said she would work closely with Administrator Bill Nelson.
On June 16, 2021, the Senate Committee approved her nomination. The next day, the full Senate confirmed her by unanimous vote. On June 21, 2021, she was officially sworn into office by Administrator Bill Nelson.
Personal Life
Pamela Melroy is married to Douglas Hollett. He is a geologist. He used to work for the United States Department of Energy.
See also
In Spanish: Pamela Melroy para niños
