First woman to take charge of NASA

Janet Petro has taken over as the new acting administrator, NASA said in a statement. He will direct NASA and oversee its budget and programs. Petro will serve until a new administrator is appointed by the US Senate.

Janet Petro

On an important note, Trump nominated entrepreneur and commercial astronaut Jared Isaacman to be NASA administrator in December 2024. 

Previously, Petro served as the 11th director of NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida. He served there in civil service, personnel oversight, policy enforcement, mission management, and agency program responsibilities. During his tenure as Petro administrator, he made the spaceport multi-purpose, NASA said. 

Petro began his career as a commissioned officer in the US Army and graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1981.