Dina Contella, ISS Program Operations Integration Manager

Dina Contella is presently serving as the International Space Station (ISS) Program Operations Integration Manager. In this role, she is responsible for the overall management and integration of ISS Program operational elements, with the primary focus on supporting the performance of real-time and near real-time missions. As Chair of the ISS Mission Management Team (IMMT), Contella is responsible for all aspects of the execution of on-orbit program activities for the integrated ISS. She reports to the ISS Program Manager.

Contella brings more than 30 years of experience to the position, having served in various roles for NASA’s International Space Station and Artemis programs over the course of her career. She most recently served as the Operations Integration and Utilization Manager in NASA’s Gateway Program and as the Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) lead for Utilization and Logistics. 

Prior to her assignment with the Gateway Program, Contella was on rotation to the ISS Program to lead an industry study effort to further NASA’s understanding of low-Earth orbit commercialization.

Contella was a Flight Director in the Flight Operations Directorate for nine years, leading several significant operations including Lead Flight Director for Expeditions 32 and 47.

Prior to becoming a Flight Director, she was an Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Space Shuttle and ISS flight controller/instructor and later became the EVA Task Group Lead.  During her time in EVA, she led nine ISS assembly EVAs and was an EVA liaison to Russia.  

In addition to many other awards over her career, Ms. Contella has earned an Exceptional Leadership Medal, three NASA Exceptional Service Medals, a Silver Achievement Medal, a Space Flight Awareness Award, and a Silver Snoopy. 

She was appointed ISS Program Operations Integration Manager on Nov. 23, 2021. Contella holds a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M University.