Dr. Janet L. Kavandi is an American scientist, former NASA astronaut, aerospace executive, and senior leader in human spaceflight and advanced aerospace research. Across a distinguished career spanning government, science, and the commercial space sector, she has helped shape major programs in space exploration, astronaut operations, aerospace technology, and the emerging space economy.

Dr. Kavandi began her academic and professional life in chemistry and engineering. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Missouri Southern State University, a Master of Science degree in Chemistry from the Missouri University of Science and Technology, and a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Washington. Early in her career, she worked in engineering roles supporting defense and aerospace technologies, including power systems and advanced technical programs. Her doctoral research involved the development of pressure-indicating coatings for aerodynamic testing, work that contributed to two patents.

Selected by NASA as an astronaut candidate in 1994, Dr. Kavandi became a veteran of three Space Shuttle missions. She flew as a mission specialist on STS-91 aboard Discovery in 1998, the final Shuttle-Mir docking mission; STS-99 aboard Endeavour in 2000, the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission; and STS-104 aboard Atlantis in 2001, an International Space Station assembly mission that installed the Quest joint airlock. In total, she logged more than 33 days in space, traveled more than 13.1 million miles, and completed 535 Earth orbits.

Following her flight career, Dr. Kavandi held a series of senior leadership roles at NASA. At Johnson Space Center, she served as Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office, Director of Flight Crew Operations, and Deputy Director of Health and Human Performance. In these roles, she contributed to astronaut training, flight crew operations, crew safety, aircraft operations, and human research supporting the Space Shuttle and International Space Station programs. She was also closely associated with NASA’s return-to-flight efforts following the Columbia accident and with the final flights of the Space Shuttle Program.

From 2016 to 2019, Dr. Kavandi served as Director of NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. There, she led a major NASA research center responsible for aerospace propulsion, power, communications, and advanced aeronautics technologies, including work supporting the Orion spacecraft and future human exploration missions.

After retiring from NASA, Dr. Kavandi joined Sierra Nevada Corporation and later served as President of Sierra Space, where she oversaw space programs including the Dream Chaser
spaceplane and other technologies intended to support commercial transportation, destinations, and infrastructure in space.

Dr. Kavandi’s honors include two Presidential Rank Awards, NASA’s Distinguished Service Medal, two NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals, two NASA Exceptional Service Medals, and three NASA Space Flight Medals. In 2019, she was inducted into the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame. She has also served on boards and advisory bodies in aerospace and education, including the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Board of Trustees, the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

Through her work as a scientist, astronaut, public servant, executive, and advocate for STEM education, Dr. Kavandi has made lasting contributions to space exploration, aerospace innovation, and the development of future generations of scientific and technical leaders.

“The future of commercial space utilization is at hand, with the potential for infinite discoveries to benefit those on our home planet.  The Hague Institute for Global Justice through the Washington Compact provides the template for safe and productive utilization of commercial space for the benefit of all humankind.   The Council for Off World Approach advises from many decades of personal experience.  It is an honor to be associated with an institute of such high standards and expertise.”

– Dr. Janet Kavandi