3 Min ReadJaclyn Kagey Shapes Humanity’s Return to the Moon Jaclyn Kagey trains in NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, where astronauts and flight controllers rehearse spacewalk procedures in a simulated microgravity environment.Credits: NASAFor Jaclyn Kagey, preparing astronauts to put boots on the Moon is part of her daily work. As the Artemis extravehicular activity lead in NASA’s Flight Operations Directorate, Kagey plays a central role in preparing astronauts to safely explore the lunar surface. Official portrait of Jaclyn Kagey. NASA/Robert Markowitz My mission is to shape the historic endeavor by working closely with scientists and industry partners to define lunar surface activities. We are setting the standard for humanity’s return to the Moon.Jaclyn KageyArtemis Extravehicular Activity LeadDuring Artemis missions, astronauts will explore the Moon’s South Pole, a region never visited by humans, paving the way for future deep space exploration. Kagey helps define how astronauts will work on the Moon, from planning detailed spacewalk timelines to guiding real-time operations. Crews will conduct these activities after stepping outside NASA’s human landing system, a commercial lander designed to safely transport astronauts from lunar orbit to the surface and back. Jaclyn Kagey conducts lunar surface operations training in the Rock Yard at Johnson Space Center, where teams test tools and procedures for future Artemis missions. NASAKagey’s NASA career spans more than 25 years and includes work across some of the agency’s most complex programs. While studying at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, she watched space shuttle launches that solidified her goal of working at NASA. “From a young age, my aspirations were singularly focused on contributing to the nation’s aircraft and spaceflight endeavors,” she said. That goal became reality through United Space Alliance, where she and her husband began their careers as contractors. Jaclyn Kagey works in the Mission Control Center during a spacewalk simulation at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.NASA/Robert MarkowitzOne of her career-defining moments came during a high-pressure operation aboard the International Space Station. “I’ve planned and executed seven spacewalks, but one that stands out was U.S. EVA 21,” she said. “We had a critical ammonia leak on the station, and from the time the issue was identified, we had just 36 hours to plan, prepare the spacesuits, and execute the repair.” The team successfully completed the spacewalk and restored the system. “The agility, dedication, and teamwork shown during that operation were remarkable,” Kagey said. “It demonstrated what this team can accomplish under pressure.” Jaclyn Kagey trains in NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, where astronauts and flight controllers rehearse spacewalk procedures in a simulated microgravity environment.NASA There are times when the mission requires everything you have. There are also times when you have to step back. Learning when to do each is critical.Jaclyn KageyArtemis Extravehicular Activity LeadThroughout her career, Kagey has learned that adaptability is an essential skill. “Things rarely go exactly as planned, and my job is to respond in a way that keeps the crew safe and the mission moving forward,” she said. Jaclyn Kagey suited up in Axiom Space’s Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit during a test on the Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS) at Johnson’s Space Vehicle Mockup Facility. Axiom SpaceKagey’s influence also extends to the future of spacesuit development. Standing on the shorter end of the height spectrum, she once could not complete a full test in the legacy Extravehicular Mobility Unit despite passing the fit check. Although Kagey could don the suit, its proportions were too large for her and made it difficult to move as needed for the test. That experience drove her to advocate for designs that better support a wider range of body types. That effort came full circle when she recently completed her first test in Axiom Space’s lunar spacesuit, called the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), on the Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS) at Johnson Space Center in Houston. “It’s exciting to literally fit into the future of spacewalks!” Kagey said. About the AuthorSumer LogginsShareDetailsLast UpdatedMay 25, 2026Related TermsJohnson Space CenterArtemisArtemis 4Johnson Flight OperationsPeople of JohnsonExplore More2 min readNASA Seeks Interest for Artemis Mission CubeSatsArticle4 days ago3 min readLunar Robots: NASA Spotlights Moon Base at 2026 FIRST Robotics CompetitionArticle5 days ago4 min readI Am Artemis: Tim GoddardArticle6 days agoKeep ExploringDiscover More Topics From NASAMissionsHumans in SpaceClimate ChangeSolar System