Jennifer Lyons appointed as NASA’s Interim Launch Services Program Manager

NASA has appointed Jennifer Lyons as the acting program manager for the agency’s Launch Services Program (LSP) at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Lyons will be responsible for overseeing the acquisition and management of domestic commercial launch services for science and robotic exploration missions starting April 1.

In her new role, Lyons will be in charge of mission planning, selecting launch vehicles, integrating spacecraft, managing launch processing, conducting launch campaigns, and overseeing post-launch activities. The Launch Services Program matches spacecraft with the most suitable commercial rockets to ensure that mission requirements are met from the early planning stages through launch and mission completion. The program plays a crucial role in supporting NASA missions that observe Earth, explore the solar system, and enhance our understanding of the universe.

Bradley Smith, the director of NASA’s Launch Services Office in Washington, praised Lyons for her flight-readiness discipline and mission-assurance expertise, which have contributed to the program’s impressive track record of over 100 successful flights using 15 different commercial rocket types over the past 25 years. He emphasized the importance of commercial launch services not only for NASA’s science and robotic exploration missions but also for the agency’s Artemis architecture. Smith expressed confidence that Lyons’ extensive experience working on various NASA projects, including the space shuttle, the International Space Station, Commercial Crew, and collaborations with commercial providers, will enable the LSP to continue delivering successful outcomes.

With almost four decades of technical, operational, and program leadership experience, Lyons is well-equipped to take on her new role. Prior to being appointed as the acting program manager, she served as the launch services deputy program manager and deputy manager for the Gateway Program’s Deep Space Logistics project. Lyons has been involved in launch services for nearly 20 years and has led the Fleet and Systems Management Division for over a decade, overseeing NASA’s activities related to launch vehicle readiness, certification, and mission assurance across a diverse fleet of commercial rockets.

“I am honored to step into this important role to support NASA’s science and exploration missions,” Lyons stated. “I am confident that our team will continue to focus on delivering safe and reliable launch services while also contributing to a thriving commercial market that facilitates discoveries throughout the solar system and beyond.”

Throughout her career, Lyons has received numerous individual achievement, group, and leadership awards. She holds degrees in aerospace and ocean engineering, space technology, and engineering management. Her accomplishments range from being the first woman to act as NASA convoy commander for a space shuttle landing to chairing the source evaluation board for NASA Launch Services II, which has led to the awarding of multiple contracts supporting the agency’s high-priority missions.

Lyons succeeds Albert Sierra, who led the program since March 2024 and is retiring after 36 years of service with NASA. Sierra oversaw five primary missions and numerous venture-class launches during his tenure, providing a steady stream of flights for the agency. These missions included launching major weather and Earth-observing satellites, deep-space probes, astrophysics and solar-monitoring observatories, as well as various CubeSats.

Reflecting on his time as the program’s leader, Sierra expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the LSP and be a part of launching missions that will drive discovery for years to come. He expressed confidence in Lyons’ ability to continue the program’s legacy of mission success under her leadership.
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