NASA announced last week that Joseph Michael “Joe” Acabá has been selected as chief of the Astronaut Office at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. A decorated veteran of three spaceflights, as well as a former U.S. Marine and educator, Acabá is the first person of Hispanic heritage selected to lead the office.
In his new role, Acabá will be responsible for managing astronaut resources and operations. He also will help develop astronaut flight crew operation concepts and make crew assignments for future spaceflight missions, including astronauts assigned to fly on Artemis missions.
Acabá spent 306 days in space, serving as a mission specialist on space shuttle Discovery’s STS-119 mission and as a flight engineer aboard the International Space Station for Expeditions 31 and 32 in 2012, as well as Expeditions 53 and 54 in 2017-2018.
During that time, he took part in three spacewalks building and upgrading the space station, supporting the arrival of the first commercial resupply spacecraft, SpaceX’s Dragon, in May 2012.
He was aboard the station when its standard crew complements increased from three to six, enabling NASA and its international partners to double the amount of time dedicated to research. Since returning to Earth, he has supported the astronaut office in a number of roles, including director of operations in Russia, and chief of the Vehicle Integration Test Office.
“Congratulations to Joe Acabá on being named the new chief of the astronaut office! Joe is an experienced space flyer and a proven leader, and he will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of NASA astronauts. As we build on the International Space Station’s unparalleled success in low-Earth orbit with our eyes on the Moon and then Mars, Joe will play an integral role in ensuring our NASA astronauts are prepared for the challenges ahead,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
Acabá was born in Inglewood, California. He earned a bachelor’s degree in geology at the University of California in Santa Barbara, one master’s degree in geology from the University of Arizona, and one in education, curriculum, and instruction from Texas Tech University, Lubbock.
Before his selection as an astronaut candidate in 2004, Acabá spent time in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and the Peace Corps, worked as a hydrogeologist, and taught high school and middle school.
“Our Johnson Space Center team congratulates Joe Acabá on his selection to chief of the Astronaut Office. We wish him well as he takes on this new and exciting leadership role,” said NASA Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche.
Congratulation to Joe Acaba on being named the new chief of the Astronaut Office at @NASA_Johnson! Acaba is the first person of Hispanic heritage selected to lead the office.
Read more! 🔗https://t.co/cqREaKghhq#SHPEFamilia #WeAreFamilia #STEM
— SHPE National (@SHPE) February 6, 2023
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