July 24, 2009

John Yembrick Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1100 john yembrick-1@nasa gov

Nicole Cloutier-Lemasters Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 nicole cloutier-1@nasa gov

RELEASE: 09-176

VETERAN ASTRONAUT PAM MELROY LEAVES NASA

HOUSTON -- NASA astronaut Pam Melroy is leaving the agency to take a job in the private sector Melroy, a retired Air Force colonel, is a veteran of three space shuttle flights and the second woman to command one

"Pam has performed superbly as an astronaut," said Steve Lindsey, chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston "She has flown three highly successful space shuttle missions and contributed in several other technical areas during her 14 years of service with the Astronaut Office Her leadership as the commander of the STS-120 space shuttle mission paved the way to six-person crew operations on the International Space Station "

"As a classmate and a friend, I feel privileged to have served beside her We wish Pam the best of luck in her new career -- she will be missed," Lindsey added

Melroy flew on shuttle missions STS-92 in 2000, STS-112 in 2002 and STS-120 in 2007 She served as pilot on her first two flights and commanded the third She has logged more than 924 hours in space, contributing to the construction of the space station on every mission She was selected as an astronaut in December 1994

Melroy made history with Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson in October 2007 when the hatches between the space shuttle and space station were opened They became the first female spacecraft commanders to lead space shuttle and space station missions concurrently

For Melroy's complete biography, visit:

http://www jsc nasa gov/Bios/htmlbios/melroy html

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www nasa gov

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