Kris Komendowski Olivero
Kris Komendowski Olivero is a certified Flight Controller and Astronaut Instructor for the Boeing Starliner spacecraft as well as the International Space Station (ISS) at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, TX. She has been dedicated to the Starliner Program for 2 years. Kris specializes in crew systems, which includes the crew’s spacesuits, spacecraft ingress/egress, habitability, stowage, and crew escape/survivability.
In supporting Starliner, Kris integrates with the spacecraft engineers and writes on-orbit procedures for the crew. Kris teaches the astronauts about the spacecraft and what to expect during their mission through various mockup trainers and simulators. She also travels to the spacecraft with the crew during the build to show them the development and integration as their interfaces are ready.
During the mission, you will find Kris supporting the crew from JSC’s Mission Control Center (MCC) in Houston. Kris’ favorite part about supporting Starliner is the ability to make an impact in the continued development of the Program as it enables humans to live and work in space.
Outside of work, you can find Kris traveling the world. She loves to experience new cultures and enjoys her time outside running and hiking. Some of her favorite spots she’s traveled include Alaska, Bali, and the Sahara Desert! Originally from Mahopac, New York, Kris holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology.