Born: 1958 (Wilmington, Delaware)
Nancy Jane Currie-Gregg (née Decker; former married names Sherlock and Currie; born December 29, 1958) is an American engineer, United States Army officer, and a NASA astronaut. With a remarkable career spanning over 22 years in the United States Army, where she holds the rank of colonel, Currie-Gregg has also made significant contributions to space exploration as a member of NASA. She has participated in four space shuttle missions: STS-57, STS-70, STS-88, and STS-109, accumulating 1,000 hours in space. Currently, she serves as a professor of practice in the Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering at Texas A&M University.
Currie-Gregg was born on December 29, 1958, in Wilmington, Delaware, as Nancy Jane Decker. Her family later relocated to Troy, Ohio, where she considers her hometown. After graduating from Troy High School in 1977, she went on to pursue higher education. In 1980, Currie-Gregg obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in biological science from Ohio State University. She further expanded her academic endeavors by completing a Master of Science degree in safety engineering from the University of Southern California in 1985. Determined to advance her knowledge and expertise, she earned a Doctorate in industrial engineering from the University of Houston in 1997.
Throughout her career, Currie-Gregg has demonstrated her commitment and achieved significant milestones while holding memberships in various esteemed professional organizations. She is a member of the Army Aviation Association of America, Ohio State University, and ROTC Alumni Associations, Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, and the Association of Space Explorers. She has also been recognized as an associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Eager to make an impact within the military, Currie-Gregg served in the United States Army for over 23 years. Before joining NASA in 1987, she underwent initial rotary-wing pilot training and subsequently worked as an instructor pilot at the U.S. Army Aviation School. Her illustrious career within the Army included diverse leadership roles such as section leader, platoon leader, and brigade flight-standardization officer. As a Master Army Aviator, she has amassed an impressive 3,900 flying hours in a range of rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft.
Currie-Gregg embarked on her astronaut career when she was assigned to NASA Johnson Space Center in September 1987. Initially involved as a flight simulation engineer on the Shuttle Training Aircraft, an airborne simulator replicating the Shuttle orbiter’s flight characteristics, she soon proved herself as a vital asset. As an astronaut since 1990, she has significantly contributed to the development of robotic hardware and procedures for both the space shuttle and space station programs. She has excelled in diverse roles, including working as a spacecraft communicator and serving as chief of the Astronaut Office Robotics and Payloads-Habitability branches, as well as the Habitability and Human Factors Office in JSC’s Space and Life Sciences Directorate. Currie-Gregg’s expertise has been invaluable in assisting the Johnson Space Center’s Automation, Robotics, and Simulation Division in designing advanced robotics systems. Her immense contributions have also made her a consultant to NASA’s Space Human Factors Engineering Project.
A true veteran of space exploration, Currie-Gregg has been part of four Space Shuttle missions. She first flew as mission specialist-flight engineer on STS-57 in 1993, followed by STS-70. Her subsequent missions included STS-88 and STS-109. Her total time in space amounts to an impressive 1,000 hours.
Currie-Gregg’s accomplishments, dedication, and remarkable career in both the military and space exploration have earned her numerous accolades and recognition. While official awards and recognitions are not provided, it is evident that her contributions have had a significant impact in her respective fields and society as a whole.
Overall, Nancy J. Currie-Gregg’s trajectory as an engineer, officer, and astronaut serves as a testament to her unwavering commitment, pioneering spirit, and exceptional achievements. Her groundbreaking work has not only advanced scientific knowledge and space exploration but has also inspired generations to reach for the stars.