MSSU graduate honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Janet Kavandi received the award during the 36th Women in Aerospace Awards ceremony
A Missouri Southern State University graduate was honored recently with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the 36th Women in Aerospace Awards for her contributions to the aerospace fields.
Dr. Janet Kavandi received the award after being recognized for her contributions to the aerospace field, achievement in space exploration, and her dedication to the advancement of women in the field.
The Women in Aerospace is an organization dedicated to the expansion of women’s opportunities in leadership, visibility, and education in the aerospace community.
A news release from Sierra Space says, “Before joining Sierra Space, Dr. Kavandi served as Director of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s John H. Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Prior to that, Dr. Kavandi worked at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, where she served as the Director of Flight Crew Operations and Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office. Dr. Kavandi was selected as a NASA astronaut in December 1994 as a member of the fifteenth class of U.S. astronauts. Dr. Kavandi has logged more than 33 days in space, traveling more than 13.1 million miles in 535 Earth orbits. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, a Master of Science degree in chemistry from the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, and her Doctorate in analytical chemistry from the University of Washington in Seattle. Dr. Kavandi has been recognized with two Presidential Rank Awards, two NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals, two NASA Exceptional Service Medals, three NASA Space Flight Medals, and NASA’s highest award, the Distinguished Service Medal. She was also inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2019.”
You can view the release and more details about this Sierra Space by clicking here.