NASA says Janet Petro, director of the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, is retiring.
Petro joined NASA in 2007 and rose to lead the center, also serving as acting NASA administrator from January to July 2025, according to the agency.
In a statement, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman credited Petro with helping guide major transitions at Kennedy, including efforts to shift the site into a multi-user spaceport supporting commercial and government missions.
As Kennedy’s 11th director, Petro oversaw civil service and contractor staff, set center policy and managed the spaceport’s missions and program responsibilities, NASA said. The agency added that, as deputy director, she led cross-agency initiatives with the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Air Force aimed at streamlining government processes to support commercial space operations.
Petro previously held roles at Kennedy and NASA Headquarters in Washington, including work on an agency-wide restructuring of mission support functions, NASA said.
Before joining NASA, Petro held management positions at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and McDonnell Douglas Aerospace Corporation, and began her career as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1981, according to the agency. NASA said she also holds a master of science degree in business administration from Boston University’s Metropolitan College.
NASA said Petro has received multiple awards, including a President’s Distinguished Executive award and the astronaut-selected Silver Snoopy award.
Effective Friday, NASA said Kelvin Manning has stepped into the role of acting center director. Manning previously served as deputy center director and has more than 32 years of leadership and technical experience, the agency said.
