"It is through failure that we ultimately learn about ourselves and can become better engineers, scientists, managers and teammates. I would tell my younger self, fail...and fail again; don't shy away from it when it happens and just get back up and be smarter from it.”
Shannon Fitzpatrick's passion for space exploration began at Purdue University, where she earned her BSAAE in 2001 and MSAAE in 2003. Her graduate research, funded by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, focused on hydrogen peroxide containment in zero gravity, leading to critical safety improvements in Purdue’s Drop Tower and advancements in space propulsion experiments.
She launched her career at Aerojet, contributing to the Standard Missile-3 program, a key defense asset still in use today. Her expertise in propulsion systems and engineering management led her to NASA Wallops Flight Facility, where she played a pivotal role in sub-orbital and orbital launches, ensuring mission success through rigorous program oversight.
Today, Shannon serves as Associate Director of Flight Programs for NASA’s Planetary Science Division, managing a $4 billion annual budget for missions including New Horizons, Dragonfly, Europa Clipper, and VIPER. She leads efforts to develop and execute deep-space missions that push the boundaries of human knowledge and exploration.
A champion of planetary science and mission execution, Shannon continues to shape NASA’s strategy for future space exploration. Her leadership and technical expertise, rooted in her Purdue AAE education, drive innovation and discovery in planetary missions that expand our understanding of the solar system and beyond.