RELEASE 17-062
NASA Marshall Names Arab, Alabama, Native Christy Kennamer to Help Guide Science on Space Station
 Christy Kennamer Credits: NASA/MSFC |
 The Payload Operations Integration Center located at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, supports all science investigations on the International Space Station. Credits: NASA/MSFC/Emmett Given |
Christy Kennamer, a native of Arab, Alabama, has been named a payload operations director for the International Space Station. She will help lead the team that guides and manages science investigations on the station from the Payload Operations Integration Center – mission control for science located at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
Kennamer has already had an accomplished career supporting NASA. Before accepting her new position, she served as an operations support manager at the Marshall Center, integrating new and existing science payload operations for the space station. Kennamer is also certified as a payload communications manager, helping guide station crew members through the experiments on the daily schedule, and as a stowage officer, helping keep track of the many tools and hardware on the orbiting laboratory. Prior to joining NASA in 2009, Kennamer was employed by ADS Environmental Services in Huntsville for 15 years, holding various positions including regional data analyst manager. She earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
"I am proud and honored to take on this new role," said Kennamer. "I have always liked a good challenge and helping guide the acquisition of knowledge on the space station is an amazing opportunity."
NASA is increasing the crew complement in the U.S. segment of the station from three astronauts to four, essentially doubling the amount of science conducted on board. More science means more flight controllers are needed to help manage those investigations.
Kennamer and three additional new payload operations directors will soon begin training and certification for their new roles, joining the two dozen flight controllers who help lead the large team that works with astronauts on a daily basis to conduct science in orbit.
"There was a rigorous review process of many outstanding applicants," said Bobby Watkins, director of the Human Exploration Development & Operations Office at the Marshall Center which manages the Payload Operations Integration Center. "Christy and her colleagues represent the best and are consummate professionals who have proven themselves as expert flight controllers for the space station. As leaders of the Payload Operations team, they are integral in the role we play in making discoveries on the space station."
Kennamer found her inspiration to join NASA at home.
"My kids and I are such a tight-knit family," Kennamer said. "The crew on the space station works very hard and I am proud to support them. It's not only the work ethic that I try to pass on to my children, but also the desire to answer the questions about our universe."
While all four new payload operations directors have previous flight controller experience, their journeys to lead the team are just beginning. They will soon begin the certification process, which includes training over the next six months to a year. Once they have been officially certified, they will begin guiding the science on the station that improves life on Earth, while managing the discoveries that will help carry us to other worlds.
Stay up to date with science activities on the space station on the official Twitter feed for science on the orbiting laboratory.
Press Contacts
Janet Anderson
Marshall Space Flight Center
256-544-0034
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