Holly Ridings — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Made history as the first woman to be chief flight director at NASA.
Currently serves as Director, Exploration Operations for Moon to Mars: Artemis at NASA.
Served as chief flight director at NASA from September 2018 through 2022, overseeing 32 flight directors.
Was lead director for Expedition 16, responsible for the International Space Station crew during STS-120, STS-122, STS-123.
Oversaw major construction to the International Space Station during STS-127, including the addition of the Japanese Exposed Facility.
Graduated from Texas A&M University in 1996 with a degree in mechanical engineering.

Biography

Holly Elizabeth Ridings is an American mechanical engineer currently serving as the Director of Exploration Operations for Moon to Mars: Artemis at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). She is recognized for becoming the first woman to be chief flight director at NASA, working at the Johnson Space Center.

Ridings joined NASA in 1998, initially working as an International Space Station flight controller in the Thermal Operations and Resources Group.