Retired NASA astronaut Mary Cleave, a veteran of two spaceflights, passed away on November 27 at the age of 76. A highly accomplished scientist with expertise in civil and environmental engineering, biological sciences, and microbial ecology, Cleave achieved the milestone of being the first woman to serve as an associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.
Born in Southampton, New York, Cleave earned her Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences from Colorado State University in 1969. She went on to obtain a Master of Science in microbial ecology and a doctorate in civil and environmental engineering, both from Utah State University, Logan, in 1975 and 1979, respectively. Retired NASA astronaut
Selected as an astronaut in May 1980, Cleave contributed significantly to various technical aspects of space missions. Her first mission, STS-61B, launched on November 26, 1985, aboard the space shuttle Atlantis. During this flight, the crew deployed communications satellites, conducted spacewalks to demonstrate space station construction techniques, and operated various experiments.
Her second mission, STS-30, also on Atlantis, launched on May 4, 1989. The crew successfully deployed the Magellan Venus exploration spacecraft, which later mapped more than 95% of the Venusian surface.
Following her astronaut career, Cleave transferred to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in 1991, where she worked as the project manager for SeaWiFS (Sea-viewing, Wide-Field-of-view-Sensor), an ocean color sensor. She later served in various roles, including deputy associate administrator for advanced planning and associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate from August 2005 to February 2007. In this capacity, she oversaw a wide range of research programs and spacecraft missions exploring Earth, space weather, the solar system, and the universe.