Published June 06, 2025
By : Staff Writer
Jeanette Epps has concluded an impressive journey of nearly 16 years of dedicated service with NASA, leaving behind a legacy of inspiration. (Official astronaut portrait of NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps taken at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Credit: NASA/Bill Stafford)
This week, the NASA Johnson Space Center, which is the lead center for the International Space Station, the Orion spacecraft, and the Gateway, and is also home to Mission Control and the nation's astronaut corps, announced on social media that Jeanette Epps retired on May 30, after nearly 16 years with the agency.
Epps most recently served as a mission specialist during NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 mission, where she spent a total of 235 days, including 232 days aboard the International Space Station.
During her time there, she worked on hundreds of scientific experiments as part of two expeditions.
NASA Johnson Space Center expressed gratitude to Epps for her service, her extraordinary career, and the legacy she created that will continue to inspire long after her time at the station.
Fans and colleagues shared complimentary messages on social media, wishing her well in her well-deserved retirement after an inspiring career journey.
Epps has made significant contributions to advancing women in the aerospace industry.
In March 2024, Women at NASA, an initiative that highlights the perspectives, stories, and achievements of women at NASA, tweeted about Epps, who made history during her first spaceflight.
Epps was selected by NASA as an astronaut in 2009 and completed rigorous astronaut candidate training, which included scientific and technical briefings, spacewalk training, robotics, T-38 flight training, and wilderness survival training.
Before joining NASA, Epps was a NASA Fellow during her graduate studies and authored several journal and conference articles detailing her research.
She also worked for Ford Motor Company, where she was responsible for a provisional patent and a U.S. patent based on her research.
Subsequently, she joined the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as a Technical Intelligence Officer, serving for seven years before becoming an astronaut.
Epps served in the ISS Operations Branch, where she handled issues related to supporting space station crews.
She trained for NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 mission to the International Space Station and as a mission specialist preparing for the March 2024 launch.
NASA Astronaut Jeanette Epps retired May 30, after nearly 16 years of service with @NASA.
— NASA's Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) June 5, 2025
Epps most recently served as a mission specialist during the Crew-8 mission, spending 235 days in space working on hundreds of scientific experiments during Expedition 71/72. Thank you for… pic.twitter.com/qxo5QJ9T3z
