Logging over 1512 hours in space across five missions, Tamara E. Jernigan built a career at the intersection of orbital engineering and astrophysical research. Following a decade of service as a NASA astronaut and administrator, she transitioned into senior roles within the United States national security infrastructure at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Academic Foundations
Born in Chattanooga in 1959, Jernigan attended Santa Fe High School in California before pursuing extensive higher education. Her technical background includes a Bachelor of Science in physics from Stanford University, earned in 1981, followed by a Master of Science in engineering science from the same institution in 1983. In 1985, she added a Master of Science in astronomy from the University of California, Berkeley. She completed her formal education in 1989 with a Ph.D. in space physics and astronomy from Rice University, where she researched high-velocity outflows and interstellar shock waves under the supervision of Reginald Dufour.
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Jernigan joined NASA in June 1981, initially working as a research scientist at the Ames Research Center. In 1985, she was selected for the astronaut program and officially entered the Astronaut Corps in July 1986. Her flight experience included five missions, during which she served as a crew member on vessels including Endeavour and Discovery. Beyond flight duties, she held administrative positions, including Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office and Deputy for the Space Station program. During her tenure, she participated in technical interchange meetings in Moscow to address operational and training protocols for the International Space Station. In her final mission aboard Discovery in 1999, she completed an extra-vehicular activity lasting seven hours and 55.5 minutes.
Transition to National Security
After retiring from NASA in 2001, Jernigan pivoted to the energy and defense sector. She currently holds the position of Deputy Principal Associate Director within the Weapons and Complex Integration organization at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Her professional recognition includes the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, awarded in both 1997 and 2000, alongside the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal.
Fast facts
- Born: 7 May 1959, Chattanooga
- Citizenship: United States
- Spaceflight missions: 5
- Total hours in space: Over 1512
- PhD institution: Rice University
- Current employer: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
- Major awards: NASA Distinguished Service Medal (1997, 2000)
Questions readers ask
What was the focus of Jernigan's doctoral research?
Her dissertation concerned plasma diagnostic studies of wind-blown shell nebulae, specifically focusing on star formation regions and interstellar shock waves.
What administrative roles did Jernigan hold at NASA?
She served as Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office and Deputy for the Space Station program.
Achievements
- Affiliated with National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Educated at Stanford University, Rice University and University of California, Berkeley
- Worked as astronaut and engineer
