Janet Petro is NASA’s acting administrator. In this role, she is responsible for directing the agency, including budget and programs, until a new administrator is confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Previously, Petro was the 11th director -- and first female director -- of NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where she managed the Kennedy team of civil service and contractor employees, determining and implementing center policy and managing and executing Kennedy missions and agency program responsibilities. She was a key leader in the Artemis mission to return humans (including the first woman) to the moon. She is credited with opening up collaboration between NASA and private space companies, paving the way for the acceleration of launches and private space sector growth.

Prior to her appointment as director, she served as acting director and Kennedy’s deputy director. During her tenure as deputy director, she played a pivotal role in transforming Kennedy into a multi-user spaceport by collaborating with the FAA and U.S. Air Force to streamline processes and support commercial space operations. She also held a 12-month appointment at NASA Headquarters as deputy associate administrator and acting director for the Office of Evaluation.

From 2017 to January 2020, Petro led NASA's Mission Support Future Architecture Program (MAP), overseeing a phased restructuring of mission-enabling functions to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Before NASA, Petro held management roles at Science Applications International Corp (SAIC), collaborating with NASA, the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and commercial entities on aerospace and military programs. Also at McDonnell Douglas Aerospace, she progressed from mechanical engineer to senior management, leading programs including a classified multimillion-dollar Department of Defense initiative.

Petro is the recipient of numerous service and performance awards. She received the 2022 Dr. Kurt H. Debus Award by the National Space Club Florida Committee for her contributions to America’s aerospace efforts within the state of Florida. She helped lead the senior management team that was awarded the 2019 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Sammies Management Excellence Medal.

She also is the recipient of a President’s Distinguished executive award, and has received the astronaut-selected Silver Snoopy award for outstanding performance for contributing to flight safety and mission success. In 2018, Petro was selected by Florida Governor Rick Scott for induction in the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame.

Petro grew up on Florida’s Space Coast and began her professional career as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering. She was in the second class of West Point graduates to include women. Petro also holds a Master of Science degree in business administration from Boston University’s Metropolitan College.

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