Fast Facts
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Inspiration and Education: Teresa Sindelar’s passion for human spaceflight ignited at age 11 after meeting former astronaut Tom Stafford, leading her to pursue education and internships at the Kansas Cosmosphere.
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Career Progression: Sindelar rose to become Chief Training Officer at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, overseeing astronaut training and emphasizing the importance of collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
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Leadership Philosophy: She believes in leading by example and motivating her team for commitment, understanding that successful astronaut training is critical for mission safety and success.
- Mentorship and Legacy: Sindelar values mentorship and aims to empower the next generation of explorers, reminding them to use their voices and support one another as they embark on unprecedented journeys into space.
Chief Training Officer Teresa Sindelar Touches the Future of Human Spaceflight
Teresa Sindelar always dreamed of working in human spaceflight. However, she found her path through a chance meeting with former NASA astronaut Tom Stafford at 11 years old. This encounter changed everything. At a local jewelry store in Nebraska, Stafford sparked Sindelar’s interest by recommending the Kansas Cosmosphere, a space museum.
Inspired, she attended every camp the Cosmosphere offered. Later, she interned there during college and worked full-time while earning her graduate degree. “I realized my passion for teaching and mentoring young minds,” Sindelar said. This passion guided her to NASA, where she combined education and technical work.
Today, Sindelar serves as Chief Training Officer (CTO) in the Flight Operations Directorate at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. In her role, she ensures astronauts, international crew members, and flight controllers receive proper training. “I put the pieces together,” she explained. Her work involves coordinating instructors, schedulers, facility managers, and more, creating a cohesive training environment.
Sindelar enjoys her responsibilities, especially mentoring young professionals. “Seeing a new employee blossom into a confident flight controller fills my cup,” she stated. For Sindelar, contributing to the success of future missions proves rewarding.
Since joining NASA in 2010, Sindelar has held various roles, including educator and crew training instructor. In March 2025, she received the Space Flight Awareness Program Honoree Award for her leadership in the Private Astronaut Mission (PAM) program. This initiative aims to foster a competitive commercial economy in low Earth orbit. As the lead CTO for Axiom Mission 3, she streamlined training operations and optimized mission support. Her efforts gained recognition during an award ceremony at Kennedy Space Center.
Sindelar leads by example. She emphasizes the importance of motivation within her team. “We train astronauts for hazardous activities, and focus is crucial,” she said. Her team understands their responsibilities deeply, as they live in the same communities as the astronauts. “We know their families are counting on us to bring them home safely,” she added.
She learned the value of having a voice, often feeling hesitant in her early career. “The only person holding me back was me,” she shared. With the guidance of mentors, she gained confidence in expressing her ideas, recognizing the influence she can wield.
Outside of NASA, Sindelar also expresses herself through music. She sings in her church choir and plays the piano. Additionally, she contributes to her community as a volunteer firefighter and chaplain.
As NASA looks toward missions to the Moon and Mars, Sindelar hopes her teachings inspire the next generation of explorers. “They will see and do things my generation never dreamed of,” she remarked. She encouraged young people to use their voices and support one another.
A picture signed by Gen. Stafford serves as a daily reminder of her journey and the importance of fostering future leaders in space exploration.
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