Australian aerospace company Gilmour Space has appointed former NASA Deputy Administrator, astronaut and retired US Air Force Colonel Pamela Melroy to its board of directors.
The company said the appointment comes amid growing government and industry investment in launch services, satellites and “sovereign space capabilities”.
According to Gilmour Space, Melroy brings more than three decades of leadership across civil, defence and commercial aerospace. She most recently served as NASA deputy administrator and is one of only two women to have commanded a Space Shuttle mission.
The appointment follows the addition of international business leader Paco Ybarra to the board last year, the company said.
Adam Gilmour, CEO and co-founder of Gilmour Space, said: “Pam is one of the most respected leaders in the global aerospace industry. Her experience across government, defence, and commercial space will be invaluable as we continue building sovereign capability in Australia and expanding our presence internationally. We are proud to welcome her to the Board and look forward to her guidance as we enter our next phase of growth.”
Melroy said: “I’m excited to join Gilmour Space at such an important stage of its journey. The team is building a genuinely critical sovereign capability for Australia, with ambitions that extend well beyond launch.”
In her statement, Melroy also pointed to the broader importance of space access for “economic growth, technological leadership, and national security”, and said she believes Gilmour Space is positioned to play a role in Australia’s future space sector.
Gilmour Space said it is building capabilities across launch vehicles, satellites, advanced manufacturing and spaceport operations, and operates the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland, which it describes as Australia’s first licensed orbital launch site.
