Kevin Metrocavage

International Space Station Operations Manager

NASA Headquarters

The International Space Station (ISS): NASA’s Kevin Metrocavage will provide an overview of this unique scientific platform, widely praised as one of humankind’s greatest engineering and geopolitical accomplishments.  Orbiting our planet since 1998, the ISS currently hosts 3-6 astronauts and involves a broad international partnership of mission support teams on Earth.  In addition to the ISS overview, Metrocavage will present the scope of ISS benefits to everyday life, explain its role in the future of human spaceflight, identify operational philosophies and challenges based on his experience as a former Flight Controller in NASA’s Mission Control.  

Bio:  Kevin Metrocavage currently serves as the International Space Station (ISS) Operations Manager.  In this role, he is responsible for maintaining overall situational awareness of the planning and execution of ISS complex operations for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters (HQ) in Washington, DC.  Metrocavage manages ISS real-time and contingency support from the NASA HQ Space Operations Center and provides input and status to Directorate and ISS Division leadership as well as external agencies as appropriate.

Previously, Metrocavage worked in Mission Control at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX where he served as a Flight Controller, Instructor, and Manager for the ISS Motion Control Systems group.  As an Attitude Determination and Control Officer (ADCO), Metrocavage planned, coordinated, monitored, and executed ISS maneuvers in support of a variety of complex operations. As Instructor, Metrocavage was responsible for training astronauts, cosmonauts, and peers on ISS systems content. 

Metrocavage supported 18 ISS Assembly Missions and over 45 ISS Expeditions from Houston, Washington D.C. and internationally in Moscow, Russia. He Metrocavage has been recognized by NASA with multiple individual and team awards, most notably the NASA Spaceflight Awareness Award in 2011 which is one of the highest awards presented to NASA and industry personnel.

Prior to joining NASA, Metrocavage earned his Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University where he also served as Basketball Manager for the three-time Big Ten Champions from 1993-96. He recently served on the University Alumni Board of Directors and currently serves on the Engineering Alumni Board of Directors.  Metrocavage also worked as a Space Camp Counselor and continues to have a passion for education/outreach, family, sports, science-fiction, space exploration, and human spaceflight.