Credit: NASA
For Jaclyn Cagy, helping astronauts put on their boots on the moon is part of her daily job.
As the Artemis III spacewalk leader for NASA’s Flight Operations Directorate, Kaggy plays a central role in preparing astronauts for humanity’s return to the moon.
She will help define how astronauts will work on the lunar surface, from planning detailed spacewalk timelines to guiding real-time operations. Crew members will conduct these activities after going outdoors NASA’s Manned Landing Systema commercial lander designed to safely transport astronauts from lunar orbit to the lunar surface and back during the Artemis mission.
Official portrait of Jaclyn Cagy.
NASA/Robert Markowitz
As NASA prepares to return humans to the moon for the first time in more than 50 years, Kaggy’s research is helping shape how the Artemis mission will unfold. The Artemis III mission will serve as a testing ground for future lunar exploration, as astronauts will explore an area of the moon’s south pole that has never been visited by humans.
Kagey’s career with NASA spans more than 25 years, and he has worked on some of the agency’s most complex human spaceflight programs. While studying at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, she observed a space shuttle launch and solidified her goal of working in human spaceflight. That goal became a reality through United Space Alliance, where she and her husband began their careers as contractors.
Jaclyn Kagy works in mission control during a simulated spacewalk at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
NASA/Robert Markowitz
One of the defining moments of Kaggy’s career came during a high-pressure mission aboard the International Space Station.
“I have planned and executed seven spacewalks, but the one that stands out to me was US Spacewalk 21,” she said. “A significant ammonia leak occurred on the station. Once the problem was identified, only 36 hours were needed to plan, prepare the spacesuit, and perform repairs.”
The team successfully completed the spacewalk and restored the system. “The agility, dedication and teamwork shown during that operation was amazing,” Kagy said. “It showed what this team can do under pressure.”
Jaclyn Cagy trains at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory. There, astronauts and flight controllers rehearse spacewalk procedures in a simulated microgravity environment.
NASA
Throughout his career, Kagy has learned that adaptability is essential for human spaceflight.
“You have to be flexible,” she said. “Things rarely go as planned. Your job is to respond in a way that keeps the crew safe and advances the mission.”
She also learned the importance of balance. “Sometimes a mission requires everything you have,” she says. “And sometimes you have to take a step back. It’s important to learn when to do each thing.”
Jaclyn Kagy dons Axiom Space’s External Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit during testing of the Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS) at the Johnson Spacecraft Mockup Facility.
axiomatic space
Mr. Kagei’s influence extends to the future of spacesuit development. Standing on the short side, she was sometimes unable to complete a full traditional outboard maneuver test, even though she passed the fit check. Although Ms. Kagy was able to wear the suit, the proportions of the suit were too large for her, making it difficult for her to move as required for the test. That experience inspired her to advocate for designs that support a wider range of body types.
That effort recently came full circle when the company completed the first test of Axiom Space’s lunar spacesuit, called the Axiom Spacevehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), on the Active Response Gravity Offload System at Johnson Space Center.
“It’s so exciting to literally fit into the future of spacewalking!” said Kagy.
Jaclyn Cagy conducts lunar surface operations training in the Johnson Space Center’s Rockyard, where the team tests tools and procedures for future Artemis missions.
NASA
As momentum builds around Artemis, Kagei remains focused on the responsibilities that come with advancing human space exploration.
“My mission is to shape this historic effort by working closely with our scientists and industry partners to define lunar surface activity,” Kagy said. “We are setting the standard for the return of humans to the moon.”
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