NASA names new director

NASA has named Robyn Gatens as director of the International Space Station for the agency following about seven months of her serving as acting director of the program.

Kathy Lueders, NASA’s associate administrator for Human Exploration and Operations, made the official appointment, effective March 28, the international space agency's website reports.

“Robyn’s leadership, experience and strategic vision for the International Space Station have been clearly demonstrated as she’s worked closely with the station team as deputy and acting director,” said Lueders. “I’m confident she will continue our efforts of maximizing the space station for science, research and technology development, including enabling a robust low-Earth orbit economy.”

In this role, Gatens will continue to lead strategy, policy, integration, and stakeholder engagement for the space station program at the agency level, working closely with International Space Station Program Manager Joel Montalbano at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Gatens will provide technical advice for the program, as well as oversee program execution and risk management.