Former NASA astronaut Kathryn D. Sullivan is ready to serve as U.S. assistant secretary of commerce for environmental observations and deputy administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) following U.S. Senate confirmation May 4 of her presidential appointment.
Sullivan, who previously served as NOAA’s chief scientist, is a veteran of three space shuttle missions and was one of the first six women selected for the astronaut corps.
In her new position, Sullivan will provide agency-wide direction on satellites, space weather, water, ocean observations and forecasts, NOAA said in a press release announcing her confirmation.
