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NASA has appointed Jennifer Lyons as the new acting director of the Launch Services Program (LSP). Starting April 1, Lions will be based at Kennedy Space Center in Florida and oversee the acquisition and management of commercial launch services for NASA's science and robotic exploration missions.

Lions' responsibilities cover the entire process from mission planning to launch vehicle selection, spacecraft integration, launch processing, launch campaign operations, and post-launch activities. The launch services program matches the spacecraft with the most suitable commercial rocket and manages all requirements from the initial planning stage to launch and mission completion.

Why is it important?

This appointment has important significance in NASA's commercial space launch strategy. The Launch Services Program has recorded more than 100 successful launches over the past 25 years using 15 types of commercial rockets. NASA's core scientific missions, including Earth observation, solar system exploration, and expansion of space research, are carried out through this program.

“Commercial launches are not only the transportation pillar of NASA’s science and robotic exploration missions, but they are also critical to the fabric of the Artemis program,” said Bradley Smith, director of the Launch Services Office at NASA Headquarters. Artemis is NASA's large-scale project that aims to re-land humanity on the Moon and explore Mars.

Lions has nearly 40 years of technical, operational and program leadership experience. He has served as Deputy Director of Launch Services since March 2024, and previously served as Deputy Director of Deep Space Logistics Projects for the Gateway program. In particular, he has worked in the launch services field for about 20 years and led the fleet and system management department for over 10 years.

Notable achievements include being the first woman to command a NASA convoy during a space shuttle landing. He also chaired the evaluation committee for the NASA Launch Services II contract and led the award of several major mission contracts. He holds degrees in aerospace and ocean engineering, space technology, and engineering management, and has received numerous achievement and leadership awards.

“I am honored to take on this important role supporting NASA’s science and exploration missions,” said Lyons. “I will focus on providing safe and reliable launch services while strengthening a healthy commercial market that enables discoveries in the solar system and beyond.”

Lions' predecessor, Albert Sierra, will lead the program starting in March 2024 and retire after 36 years of service at NASA. During Sierra's tenure, five major missions and numerous venture-level launches were successfully carried out, including a major meteorological and Earth observation satellite, a deep space probe, an astrophysical and solar observation satellite, and multiple CubeSats.