NASA Names New Leader of Space Technology Mission Directorate: Clayton P. Turner
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has selected a new leader to head its Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). Clayton P. Turner, a seasoned NASA veteran with over 30 years of experience, will serve as the associate administrator of STMD, effective immediately.
Turner has been acting in this role since July and will continue to oversee the executive leadership, strategic planning, and management of all technology maturation and demonstration programs executed by the directorate. His appointment was announced by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, who expressed confidence in Turner’s ability to lead the STMD.
“Under Turner’s skilled and steady hand, the Space Technology Mission Directorate will continue to do what it does best: help NASA push the boundaries of what’s possible and drive American leadership in space,” said Nelson.
As the agency embarks on a new era of space exploration, the STMD plays a critical role in advancing technologies and testing new capabilities that will enable a sustainable presence on the Moon and beyond. Turner will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and evaluating the mission directorate’s programs and activities, including budget formulation and execution.
Turner brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served as the director of NASA Langley Research Center since September 2019. During his tenure at Langley, he has held various leadership positions, including engineering director, associate center director, and deputy center director. He has worked on numerous high-profile projects, including the Earth Science Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation Project and the Space Shuttle Program’s Return to Flight work.
Turner’s commitment to the agency and engineering has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, and the NASA Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal. He is also an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and a Board of Trustees member of his alma mater, Rochester Institute of Technology.
As Turner takes the reins at STMD, Dawn Schaible, the deputy director of NASA Glenn Research Center, will continue to serve as the acting director of Langley Research Center. Schaible leads a team of over 3,000 scientists, researchers, engineers, and support staff who work to advance aviation, expand understanding of Earth’s atmosphere, and develop technology for space exploration.
To learn more about Turner’s experience and background, visit his full biography online at https://go.nasa.gov/48UmkmS](https://go.nasa.gov/48UmkmS
With Turner at the helm, the Space Technology Mission Directorate is poised to continue its important work in advancing space technology and driving American leadership in space exploration.
