Born: 1962 (Albany, New York)
Biography:
Nicole Marie Passonno Stott is an accomplished American engineer and retired NASA astronaut. Born on November 19, 1962, in Albany, New York, Stott has made significant contributions to space exploration and has had a lasting impact on society through her work.
Stott’s passion for aviation and space began early on in her life. She attended St. Petersburg College, where she studied aviation administration. She later graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1987. Continuing her educational journey, Stott obtained a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management from the University of Central Florida in 1992.
Early in her career, Stott worked as a structural design engineer with Pratt & Whitney Government Engines in West Palm Beach, Florida. She gained valuable experience analyzing advanced jet engine component designs as part of the Advanced Engines Group. Stott’s dedication to aviation also led her to become an instrument-rated private pilot.
In 1988, Stott joined NASA at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida as an Operations Engineer in the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF). Tasked with improving efficiency, she played a pivotal role in assessing and implementing tools to measure improvements in space shuttle processing flows. Stott also made significant contributions to the development of the Ground Processing Scheduling System (GPSS), a successful project that became part of the PeopleSoft suite.
Throughout her time at KSC, Stott assumed various positions within NASA Shuttle Processing, such as Vehicle Operations Engineer, NASA Convoy Commander, assistant to the Flow Director for Space Shuttle Endeavour, and Orbiter Project Engineer for Columbia. She further expanded her expertise when she joined the Space Station Hardware Integration Office and relocated to Huntington Beach, California. Here, Stott served as the NASA Project Lead for the construction of the International Space Station’s truss elements at the Boeing Space Station facility.
In 1998, Stott joined the Johnson Space Center (JSC) team in Houston, Texas, as a member of the NASA Aircraft Operations Division. As a Flight Simulation Engineer (FSE) on the Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA), she contributed to the training of future astronauts.
Stott’s dedication and skills led to her selection as a mission specialist by NASA in July 2000. She began her astronaut candidate training in August of the same year. Stott’s exceptional abilities and commitment to space exploration paved the way for her to serve as a flight engineer on ISS Expedition 20 and Expedition 21. She also fulfilled the role of a mission specialist on STS-128 and STS-133.
In addition to her remarkable career at NASA, Stott has made valuable contributions to society through her work on the International Space Station (ISS). Her involvement in numerous space missions and research initiatives has furthered our understanding of the universe and its potential for exploration and habitation.
Stott’s legacy goes beyond her technical expertise. She has been an inspiration to countless individuals, particularly young women aspiring to pursue careers in STEM fields. Her achievements have broken gender barriers and provided a shining example of what women can accomplish in traditionally male-dominated industries.
Awards:
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