A total of 673 hours logged in space defines the career of Nancy Jan Davis, a veteran of three Space Shuttle missions. Born in Cocoa Beach in 1953, she transitioned from academic studies in biology and mechanical engineering to a pivotal role at NASA, eventually overseeing critical safety operations and complex flight projects within the agency.
Academic and Early Engineering Background
Davis graduated from Huntsville High School in 1971. She pursued higher education by earning a Bachelor of Science in applied biology from Georgia Tech in 1975, followed by a mechanical engineering degree from Auburn University in 1977. Her advanced studies continued at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where she earned a Master of Science in 1983 and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1985. Her early professional career included working as a petroleum engineer for Texaco before joining NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in 1979.
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At NASA, Davis served as a team leader in the Structural Analysis Division. Her responsibilities included the structural verification of the Hubble Space Telescope and the Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility. By 1987, she directed the redesign of the solid rocket booster external tank attach ring. Her research focused on the viscoelastic properties of filament-wound composites in pressure vessels. She holds a patent and remains a Registered Professional Engineer.
Space Shuttle Missions
Selected as an astronaut in 1987, Davis completed her first flight on STS-47, Spacelab-J, in 1992. In 1994, she participated in STS-60, managing the Wake Shield Facility via the Remote Manipulator System. She served as payload commander for STS-85 in 1997, overseeing the deployment and retrieval of the CRISTA-SPAS payload. During her time in the Astronaut Office, she provided technical support for various payloads and acted as a CAPCOM for seven missions.
Leadership and Post-Flight Career
Following her flight career, Davis directed the Independent Assurance Office for the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance. She later managed the Flight Projects Directorate at Marshall Space Flight Center, overseeing International Space Station payload operations. After the Columbia accident, she led Safety and Mission Assurance efforts to support the return to flight. She retired from NASA in 2005, later working for Jacobs Engineering Group and Bastion Technologies, Inc. In 2023 and 2024, she published books titled Air Born regarding her father's experiences as a WWII pilot.
Fast facts
- Born: 1953, Cocoa Beach
- Education: Georgia Tech, Auburn University, University of Alabama in Huntsville
- Astronaut Selection: June 1987
- Space Missions: STS-47, STS-60, STS-85
- Total Space Flight Time: Over 673 hours
- NASA Retirement: 2005
- Notable Honors: Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, NASA Exceptional Service Medal
Questions readers ask
Did Jan Davis fly in space with her husband?
Yes, she flew on STS-47 in 1992 alongside her then-husband, astronaut Mark C. Lee.
What was her role after the Columbia accident?
She was appointed as the head of Safety and Mission Assurance at the Marshall Space Flight Center to manage the safe return to flight for the Space Shuttle program.
Achievements
- Affiliated with National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Educated at Auburn University, Georgia Tech and University of Alabama in Huntsville
- Worked as astronaut, engineer and biologist
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