Sep 13 2018
From The Space Library
RELEASE 18-077 NASA, Roscosmos Statement on International Space Station Leak
The following is a joint statement from NASA and the Russian space agency Roscosmos about the investigation into a pressure leak on the International Space Station Aug. 29-30:
“NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and Roscosmos General Director Dmitry Rogozin met for the first time yesterday via teleconference to discuss the status of International Space Station (ISS) operations in response to a request from Roscosmos.
“As part of their discussion, Dmitry Rogozin informed his American counterpart about Roscosmos’ decision to establish a Roscosmos-led Commission to investigate the cause of the leak in the Soyuz (MS-09/55S) spacecraft currently docked to the station.
“The Administrator and the General Director noted speculations circulating in the media regarding the possible cause of the incident and agreed on deferring any preliminary conclusions and providing any explanations until the final investigation has been completed.
“They affirmed the necessity of further close interaction between NASA and Roscosmos technical teams in identifying and eliminating cause of the leak, as well as continuation of normal ISS operations and NASA’s ongoing support of the Roscosmos-led Soyuz investigation. They acknowledged the entire crew is dedicated to the safe operation of the station and all docked spacecraft to ensure mission success.
“The Administrator and the Roscosmos General Director agreed to conduct their first face-to-face meeting at the Baikonur Cosmodrome on or about Oct. 10 when the NASA Administrator will visit Russia and Kazakhstan in conjunction with the upcoming Soyuz crew spacecraft launch of American astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexy Ovchinin.”
Jody Singer Named Director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has named Jody Singer director of the agency’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Singer has been the center’s deputy director since February 2016, and has been serving as acting director since the retirement of Todd May as center director in July. She is the first woman appointed to the position.
As Marshall’s director, Singer will lead one of NASA's largest field installations, with almost 6,000 civil service and contractor employees and an annual budget of approximately $2.8 billion.
“Jody’s deep management experience over three decades at the project, program and center levels will be a huge asset to Marshall's critical work supporting NASA’s goals of returning to the Moon to stay,” said Bridenstine. "Her proven leadership abilities and close connections to Marshall’s work and the human spaceflight community made her the right choice to lead Marshall at this pivotal time.”
Singer began her NASA career in 1985 as an engineer in NASA’s professional intern program. Among many other leadership roles, she was also the manager of the Flight Programs and Partnerships Office at Marshall from 2013 to 2016, where she held primary responsibility for the center's work with human advanced exploration projects, science missions, technology demonstrations, commercial crew, and many aspects of International Space Station operations.
"For me, it’s always been about the people. It’s honor to lead Marshall Space Flight Center as we push the boundaries of human space exploration and shape America’s return to the Moon," said Singer. "Marshall has unique capabilities and expertise that are critical to missions that will take humans deeper into the solar system than ever before."
Singer’s experience in human spaceflight includes 25 years working in the Space Shuttle Program, where she was responsible for the development, testing, flight readiness, safety and performance of the shuttle’s propulsion elements. Her experience also includes Return to Flight activities following the space shuttle Columbia accident. She served as the first female project manager for the Reusable Solid Rocket Booster Project Office and as deputy manager in the Space Shuttle Propulsion Office as it successfully completed its mission and retirement.
From 2010 through 2012, she held deputy positions for three concurrent programs - the Space Shuttle Program, Ares, and the start-up of the Space Launch System (SLS).
Singer has been recognized with numerous awards during her NASA career, including the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, and two Presidential Rank of Meritorious Executive Awards, the highest honor for career federal employees.
