Robby Estep

Robby Estep is the Deputy Associate Director for the Planetary Science Projects Division (PSPD).  Eclipsing his early childhood passion for electric trains, Robby became fascinated with space and would often stay home from school to watch a space shuttle launch on TV! He was mesmerized by the technology and was in awe of the astronauts who would soon be enjoying weightlessness, dreaming that one day to be part of space exploration. During high school he was active in sports, participated in Eagle Scouts, and even marched in the drum line (playing the snare drum), but realized early on that if he aspired to work at NASA, his priorities had to change. Academics became his main focus.

 After high school graduation, Robby studied aerospace engineering and in 1997  received his Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA.  Then in 2003, he earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, Houston, TX.

Then his dreams came true in 1997 when Robby joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.  His first assignment was in support of Agency activities in the Mission Operations Directorate at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.  He then assumed responsibilities in the Balloon Program Office at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility (WFF), and eventually managing flight instrument projects in the Engineering Technology and the Flight Projects Directorates at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC).  His career path included being the Instrument Manager for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Micro-Shutter Subsystem and the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) Radiometer. Prior to accepting his current position with PSPD, Robby was the Project Manager for the Ocean Color Instrument (OCI) which launched aboard the PACE spacecraft in 2024.

While working at both JSC and GSFC, he thoroughly enjoyed participating in the center recreational leagues and transitioned from being an Atlanta Braves and Falcons fan to cheering for the Ravens and Orioles.

Robby and his wife have a son, whose fascination with electric trains reawakened his own childhood passion.  They consider themselves an outdoor family and enjoy hunting and hiking.

Thoughts for the next generation:

I know that sometimes there is comfort in caution, and change can be challenging. I encourage you not to be averse to making changes and taking risks.

Robby Estep

Deputy Division Manager