In 1983, Sally Ride became the first American woman in space. This summer, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex honors this achievement during the Celebration of Women in Space. On June 15 and 16, join us for an engaging panel with these pioneering women. Here from the following during this event, included with admission:
June 15, 2023
Anna Fisher
Dr. Anna Fisher was selected as an astronaut by NASA in January 1978 as one of the first six female astronauts. Dr. Fisher is also a chemist and a medical doctor specializing in emergency medicine. She is the mother of two children and, in 1984, she became the first mother to travel in space. Over the course of her NASA career, she was involved in the Space Shuttle Program, the International Space Station and the Orion capsule that is being developed for NASA’s Space Launch System.
Kathy Thornton
Kathy Thornton flew four space shuttle missions during her 12 years in the NASA Astronaut Corps, from May 1984 through August 1996. During her second flight, she served as mission specialist and Intra Vehicular Activity crewmember for the first and only three-person spacewalk in May 1992. Currently, she serves as the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs in the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Caley Burke
Today, Caley's job is to launch robots that land on the planet Mars, study Earth or explore other places in our solar system. She’s a flight design analyst with NASA's Launch Services Program, which purchases launch services from companies such as SpaceX, for NASA and NOAA spacecraft missions. Caley analyzes the trajectories of the rockets, making sure they drop the spacecraft off at the right time and place in space. On launch day, she’s one of the engineers on console, looking at big monitors full of rocket data and graphs and wearing a headset to report to her chief engineer. As NASA Winds, she's gotten to say GO for a rocket launch.
Colonel Erin R. Gulden
Colonel Erin R. Gulden is the Senior Materiel Leader, Launch Execution, Assured Access to Space, Los Angeles AFB, California - responsible for acquiring and executing over $62 billion in National Security Space Launch programs. She directs the Altas V, Delta IV, Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch vehicle production and systems integration, as well as the operational transition of the new Vulcan launch vehicle system. Additionally, she serves as a Mission Director for US Space Force launches, placing over $10 billion of national space capabilities into operations.
Kelly DeFazio
Kelly DeFazio is the Program Director of Transition and KSC Site Director for the Lockheed Martin Spacecraft Orion in support of NASA’s Space Exploration Plan to the Moon and Beyond. Her responsibilities include developing a reusable Spacecraft platform, creating efficient integrated processes and evolving staffing to meet long-term Artemis goals. Additionally, she manages the Lockheed Martin Site at KSC and ensures digital transformation is the cornerstone for success.
Kimberlyn B. Carter
Kimberlyn B. Carter is the associate program manager for Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In this role, she supports human exploration and operations for the agency’s Artemis missions. Carter has held several leadership roles in EGS during the past seven years, including leading acquisition strategy and requirements development, serving as integrated product team manager, and leading strategic communications and 21st century upgrades to the center. Carter also led the Project Management and Integration Branch of the Program Planning and Control Division where she was responsible for the overall integrated master schedule, risk management program, strategic planning, program plan, business processes, and internal and external controls for the program.
June 16, 2023
Anna Fisher
Dr. Anna Fisher was selected as an astronaut by NASA in January 1978 as one of the first six female astronauts. Dr. Fisher is also a chemist and a medical doctor specializing in emergency medicine. She is the mother of two children and, in 1984, she became the first mother to travel in space. Over the course of her NASA career, she was involved in the Space Shuttle Program, the International Space Station and the Orion capsule that is being developed for NASA’s Space Launch System.
Kathy Thornton
Kathy Thornton flew four space shuttle missions during her 12 years in the NASA Astronaut Corps, from May 1984 through August 1996. During her second flight, she served as mission specialist and Intra Vehicular Activity crewmember for the first and only three-person spacewalk in May 1992. Currently, she serves as the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs in the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Vanessa Wyche
Vanessa E. Wyche is the director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, home to America’s astronaut corps, Mission Control Center, International Space Station, Orion, and Gateway programs and its more than 11,000 employees. She is responsible for overseeing a broad range of human spaceflight activities, including development and operation of human spacecraft, commercialization of low-Earth orbit and Johnson’s role in exploring the Moon and Mars.
Noelle Zietsman
Noelle Zietsman is the Vice President and Chief Engineer for Boeing Exploration Systems (BES) is the Space Launch System (SLS) Program Chief Engineer for The Boeing Company. She is responsible for the technical integrity across development, design, assembly, and test for the core stage, upper stages, and avionics on NASA’s new heavy-lift rocket (Artemis). Her previous role was Director of In-Space Vehicles which supported SLS, International Space Station, Commercial Crew, and Satellites. She has served many roles from Electro Mechanical Design Engineer to Program Manager within her career of 29 years.
Nancy Cuty
Nancy Cuty is the Partnership Development Manager at NASA Kennedy Space Center, where she is responsible for planning, management and execution of partnership activities that help to sustain and grow the nation’s multiuser spaceport. Prior to her current role, Nancy served as a Contracting Officer in the Mission Support Office, where she awarded the Agency Fire Services and Kennedy Institutional Support Services IV contracts, also administered the Kennedy Environmental and Medical Contract and Kennedy Protective Services Contract II. She served as a charter and voting member of the Research and Technology Management Board. Nancy started her Contracting Officer NASA career at the NASA Shared Services Center. Prior to joining NASA, Nancy worked for the U.S. Coast Guard in New Orleans, LA. Nancy is a veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Reserves.
Lisa Malone, former director of Public Affairs at NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center, is the host for this panel, which is included with admission.
Join us for other events all summer during our Celebration of Women in Space.