NASA Appoints New Leaders To Chart Future of ISS, Establish Low-Orbit Economy

NASA has appointed two new leaders to help the American space agency chart the future of the International Space Station (ISS) as well as to establish a low-orbit economy.

The agency has named Dana Weigel as the new program manager of the space station starting on Apr. 7 and will be based at NASA's Johnson Space Center located in Houston, Texas. She previously served as the space agency's deputy program manager for the ISS since 2021 and has worked in various positions for the past two decades.

NASA Appoints New Leaders

(Photo : Stefani REYNOLDS / AFP) (STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
NASA has appointed two new leaders to chart the future of the International Space Station (ISS), with Dana Weigel as the new program manager and Joel Montalbano as the new deputy associate administrator.

In a statement, Johnson Center Director Vanessa Wyche said that Weigel's depth of expertise and ISS program experience will be crucial in the agency's efforts to explore low Earth orbit to benefit humanity.

Weigel's appointment will have her succeed Joel Montalbano, who has been promoted to deputy associate administrator for the agency's Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA headquarters located in Washington, D.C.

Wyche added that on behalf of NASA Johnson, they are proud of Montalbano's contributions and dedication to mission excellence. She noted that they are looking forward to his accomplishments in his new position, as per Yahoo News.

Montalbano has been the program manager of the ISS since 2020 and he will now start working to maintain U.S. leadership in space by targeting the country's goals of establishing a low-Earth orbit economy.

In 2012, Montalbano was appointed as NASA's ISS deputy program manager and has been working for the space agency since 1998 and has held a number of different roles. He was previously a NASA flight director from 2000 to 2008.

NASA's associate administrator for space operations, Ken Bowersox, said that with Weigel continuing her contributions to the space station, Montalbano will use his experience for the benefit of the Space Operations directorate.

Bowersox added that the American space agency will continue to benefit from the two individuals' human spaceflight knowledge. This comes as NASA works to maintain its unique capabilities in orbit and prepare for the future of the agency's operations in space, according to UPI.

Efforts for Space Research and Development

Weigel is a native of Baltimore and holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for various achievements, including the Astronauts' Silver Snoopy Award that she received in 2002, NASA's Exceptional Service Medal in 2006, 2010, and 2011, as well as the Outstanding Leadership Medal in 2008, among many others.

On the other hand, Montalbano has a bachelor's degree in aerospace, aeronautical, and astronautical engineering from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He has earned multiple NASA awards, including the Distinguished Service Medal in 2018.

He also received the space agency's Exceptional Service Medal in 2003 and 2007, the Outstanding Leadership Medal in 2004, and the Superior Accomplishment Award in 2007. Montalbano also received the Astronauts' Silver Snoopy Award as well as the Astronomical Society's Advancement of International Cooperation Award.

The ISS is a hub for scientific research and technology demonstration and the space agency and its partners continue to maximize the use of the station for research. It is where astronauts have lived and worked continuously for over two decades, said NASA.