Teresa Kinney Makes History as NASA’s First Female Chief Engineer
Teresa Kinney has recently made history as NASA’s first female chief engineer at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center. Kinney is currently working on the Gateway lunar space station project, as well as being involved in Deep Space Logistics, arranging commercial cargo services for the Gateway project to ship items for astronaut crews.
During Women’s History Month, Kinney reflects on her journey to her current role, which began when she was a child watching Apollo missions with her father. This sparked a lifelong passion for space exploration that led her to obtain a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering, a master of science in industrial engineering, and several certifications in related fields.
Kinney’s impressive career trajectory includes working on projects such as Spacelab, Space Station, the Ares 1-X prototype launch system, and Boeing’s Starliner. As chief engineer, she now oversees the technical aspects of the Gateway Deep Space Logistics, ensuring reliability and mission success. She emphasizes collaboration, diverse thinking, and mentorship to support her team’s success.
Kinney’s primary focus is getting the first Deep Space Logistics modules into space to support the Gateway project. She also highlights the importance of being a role model for women in engineering and promoting STEM careers in space exploration. Kinney sees the current time as the best opportunity for young people to join NASA and work in the space industry.
As Kinney continues to break barriers in her field, she is paving the way for future generations of women to thrive in engineering and space exploration. Her dedication, expertise, and passion for her work make her an inspiration to all who aspire to reach for the stars.
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