T+328: Pam Melroy, Former NASA Deputy Administrator and Space Shuttle Commander

Pam Melroy, Former NASA Deputy Administrator, Space Shuttle Commander, and three-time Shuttle astronaut, joins me to talk about space policy past, present, and future. We talk about the most critical decisions and moments during her time as Deputy Administrator under Administrator Bill Nelson, and her thoughts on the Isaacman-era space policy from Ignition to Commercial LEO, and what to do about Mars Sample Return.

This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 32 executive producers—Steve, Lee, Russell, Stealth Julian, Warren, Miles O’Brien, Josh from Impulse, Joel, David, Natasha Tsakos, Joakim, Will and Lars from Agile, Frank, Better Every Day Studios, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Donald, The Astrogators at SEE, Jan, Joonas, Pat, Matt, Kris, Fred, Theo and Violet, Ryan, and four anonymous—and hundreds of supporters.

Topics

• Pamela Melroy (@Astro_Pam) / X
• NASA Statement on Nomination of Pam Melroy for Agency Deputy Administrator - NASA
• Pam Melroy Sworn in as NASA Deputy Administrator - NASA
• As Artemis Moves Forward, NASA Picks SpaceX to Land Next Americans on Moon - NASA
• NASA Selects Blue Origin as Second Artemis Lunar Lander Provider - NASA
• NASA Selects Companies to Develop Commercial Destinations in Space - NASA
• Op-ed: NASA’s New CLD Strategy Will Lose Mars, LEO to China
• NASA Sets Path to Return Mars Samples, Seeks Innovative Designs - NASA
• NASA to Explore Two Landing Options for Returning Samples from Mars - NASA

The Show

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