The first woman was appointed NASA leadership

Janet Petro became the first woman to lead NASA on January 20 after US President Donald Trump appointed her as the director on the first day of his second term. The appointment surprises many people. Normally, when the cabinet is newly formed, the current NASA director will withdraw. The work is usually transferred to the leading civil servant at this agency, namely Deputy Director (now Jim Free). However, Mr. Trump’s appointment means that Petro will take on the role of NASA leadership instead of free.

Mrs. Petro was born in Michigan in 1960. The interest in her universe sprouted from childhood below influenced by her father working in NASA projects and brought the whole family to Florida. That facilitates her and the sisters to watch the missions of Satry, Gemini and Apollo take off from the beach.

When high school, inspired by military academies to receive female students, Petro filed and received leadership training at the US Military Academy at West Point. There, she learned useful lessons on time management, encouragement and collaboration, laying the foundation for her career. Petro graduated from the Academy with a bachelor’s degree in science and technology in 1981 before enlisting, driving helicopters in missions in Germany. After 5 years in the army, she moved to the technical management position in the private sector. In 1988, Petro received a doctorate in Business Administration from Metropolitan School of Boston University.

In 2007, Ms. Petro was appointed Deputy Director of John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC), where her father used to work. On June 30, 2021, she became the first female director of KSC according to the appointment of the NASA director when Bill Nelson. Earlier this year, Petro continued to become the first woman to lead NASA since the agency was established in 1958.

One of the first actions of Mrs. Petro as the Acting Director of NASA is to send a letter to the staff to notify the agency that will take steps to close all departments of the program of the program. (Deia) As well as all contracts related to DEIA under the direction of President Trump.

Through promoting policies in recent days, Petro also emphasized the difficulties that women face. “As a woman, we have to overcome many obstacles in life to reach the current position. In the long run, I think that helps women to compete better and stronger,” said Petro Chia shall.

Petro directed Michael Althofen, a long -term technical expert of SpaceX as a senior adviser. It is expected that the successor to Petro will be Jared Isaacman, a billionaire and a private astronaut who flew on SpaceX’s Dragon ship, nominated by Mr. Trump to lead NASA at the end of last year. This nomination needs approval from the US Senate. Petro will continue to hold the position of Director of NASA and take responsibility for leadership of this agency, including budget and programs, until the appointment of Isaacman is confirmed.