Jessica Caudle, a native of Huntsville, 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.
Caudle has held numerous flight controller roles supporting the space station program, including data management coordinator, in which she managed the process which allows scientists on the ground to communicate with their science experiment in orbit; as a payload rack officer, working to guide multiple investigations on the station; and as the Microgravity Science Glovebox controller, in which she monitored the contained facility on the orbiting laboratory.
Caudle earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2008 from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and a master’s degree in project management in 2012 from the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne.
“This is a dream come true,” said Caudle. “I am equal parts excited, humbled and blessed to be given this opportunity. It is an honor to be selected out of a pool of such individuals with extensive technical and diverse backgrounds.”
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.
Caudle and three additional new payload operations directors will soon begin training for their new roles, joining the two dozen flight controllers who help lead the large team working 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. “Jessica 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.”
For Caudle, being part of the team making discoveries in space is inspirational.
“What we do on a daily basis really makes a difference in our world,” said Caudle. “I am part of an extraordinary team made up of the best and brightest engineers and scientists that help make groundbreaking discoveries and to ultimately improve the quality of life on Earth.”
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 are 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.
Janet Anderson
Marshall Space Flight Center
256-544-0034
janet.l.anderson@nasa.gov