Accumulating 1,000 hours in space across four shuttle missions, Nancy J. Currie-Gregg served as a pivotal flight engineer and operator of complex robotic systems. Her career spans over two decades of military service as a United States Army officer and a significant tenure at the NASA Johnson Space Center, where she specialized in orbital assembly and human factors engineering.
Academic and Military Foundation
Born in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1958, Nancy Jane Currie-Gregg graduated from Troy High School in 1977. She pursued a biological science degree at Ohio State University, followed by a Master of Science in safety engineering from the University of Southern California and a doctorate in industrial engineering from the University of Houston. Her military career spanned more than 23 years, including roles as an instructor pilot at the U.S. Army Aviation School and leadership positions such as platoon leader and brigade flight-standardization officer. She achieved the rank of colonel and is a Master Army Aviator with over 3,900 flight hours.
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Selected for NASA in 1990, Currie-Gregg contributed to robotic hardware development and served as a spacecraft communicator. During her four spaceflights, she operated the shuttle’s robotic arm to perform critical technical tasks. On STS-88, she utilized the arm to mate the Unity and Zarya modules, facilitating the assembly of the International Space Station. During STS-109, she retrieved and redeployed the Hubble Space Telescope following its maintenance upgrades. Her experience also includes missions STS-57 and STS-70, where she supported microgravity experiments and satellite deployment.
Engineering Leadership and Safety
Beyond active flight, Currie-Gregg held various technical roles within the Johnson Space Center, including chief of the Astronaut Office Robotics and Payloads-Habitability branches. Following the Columbia disaster in 2003, she led the Space Shuttle Program's Safety and Mission Assurance Office. She has also served as a Principal Engineer in the NASA Engineering and Safety Center and as an NESC Chief Engineer. Her research contributions include developing a finite element human vibration model used for spacecraft coupled loads analysis.
Academic Appointments
Currie-Gregg transitioned her expertise to the university level, having held an adjunct associate professor position at North Carolina State University. She currently serves as a professor of practice in the Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering at Texas A&M University. Her professional affiliations include the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Fast facts
- Born: 1958, Wilmington
- Military Rank: Colonel
- Total Space Flight Time: 1,000 hours
- Missions Flown: STS-57, STS-70, STS-88, STS-109
- Education: Ohio State University, University of Southern California, University of Houston
- Awards: NASA Distinguished Service Medal (2003), Legionnaire of Legion of Merit
- Current Role: Professor of Practice, Texas A&M University
Questions readers ask
What was her primary role during the Hubble Space Telescope service missions?
She operated the 50-foot robot arm to retrieve and redeploy the telescope, and supported crew members during five spacewalks.
Which shuttle mission involved the first International Space Station assembly?
She served as a mission specialist on STS-88, where she used the robotic arm to connect the Unity and Zarya modules.
Achievements
- Affiliated with North Carolina State University
- Educated at University of Southern California, Ohio State University and University of Houston
- Worked as engineer and astronaut
