Black PR Wire Power Profiler on Jeanette J. Epps, Ph.D.

Jeanette J. Epps was selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 2009 as an astronaut. She has been assigned to her first spaceflight, Expedition 56/57, scheduled to launch in May 2018.

A graduate of LeMoyne College, Jeanette received a Bachelor of Science in Physics in 1992. She then went on to receive a Master of Science and Doctorate of Philosophy in Aerospace
Engineering, University of Maryland, 1994 and 2000.

As a graduate student, Dr. Epps served as a NASA fellow and authored several journal and conference articles describing her research. After completing graduate school, Dr. Epps worked for Ford Motor Company where she received both a provisional patent and a U.S. patent for her research. After leaving Ford, she joined the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for seven years working as a Technical Intelligence Officer before becoming an astronaut.

Dr. Epps was selected in July 2009 as 1 of 14 members of the 20th NASA astronaut class. Her astronaut training included scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in International Space Station systems, spacewalk training, robotics, T-38 flight training and wilderness survival training. After graduating Dr. Epps continued training by participating in NEEMO (NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operation), geologic studies in Hawaii, and language immersion in Moscow as well as continued training in EVA, robotics and T-38. While waiting for a mission assignment Dr. Epps served as a representative to the Generic Joint Operation Panel working on crew efficiency on the space station as well as other topics, served as a Crew Support Astronaut for two expeditions, and served as lead CAPCOM in mission control.

She has been assigned to serve as Flight Engineer for Expedition 56 and remain on board for Expedition 57, scheduled to launch in May 2018.