NASA Names Stephen Cash Director of Marshall Space Flight Center
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman named Stephen Cash director of Marshall Space Flight Center, effective Oct. 19, 2026.
New Director Named
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has named Stephen Cash director of the agency's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, effective Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. NASA says Cash, a veteran agency engineer and aerospace executive, returns to lead the center where he began his career more than four decades ago.
Isaacman's Statement
Isaacman said Marshall's contributions to NASA's missions are historic and called the center the "Center of Excellence for propulsion." He described Cash as "a Marshall legend" who has spent his career around the hardware and the people and has previously been in decision-making roles when human spaceflight was on the line. Isaacman said that as Marshall continues its role in Artemis and takes on advanced propulsion, nuclear power, and deep solar system systems, Cash brings the experience and technical judgment needed to lead the center's next chapter. He also thanked Rae Ann Meyer for her leadership during the transition.
Amit Kshatriya, NASA associate administrator and chief engineer, said leading a NASA center requires commitment to its people and technical capabilities, and that Cash understands the workforce is central to sustaining engineering excellence at Marshall.
Scope of the Role
According to NASA, as center director Cash will lead one of the agency's largest field centers, overseeing more than 5,000 civil service and contractor employees. NASA says Marshall's portfolio includes propulsion, space systems, scientific research, and technology development, and that the center plays a critical role in the Artemis program, including development of the SLS rocket and management of the Human Landing System Program, as well as capabilities supporting Moon and future Mars missions. NASA also says Marshall plays a key role in advancing nuclear power and propulsion.
Cash's Background
NASA says Cash began his career at Marshall in 1982 and spent 34 years with the agency, holding senior engineering and management positions on major human spaceflight programs. He served as manager of Marshall's Space Shuttle Propulsion Office and later as director of the center's Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate from 2011 until his retirement in 2016.
After leaving NASA, Cash worked in the aerospace industry, including as vice president for advanced space systems at Axient. In 2024, he was inducted into the Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame, according to NASA.
Transition
NASA says Cash succeeds Rae Ann Meyer, who has served as Marshall's acting center director since September 2025 and previously served as the center's deputy director and associate director. NASA says Meyer will return to her role as deputy center director.
Marshall Space Flight Center was established in 1960. NASA says the center has played a central role in American space exploration for more than six decades, including developing the Saturn rockets used during the Apollo program.
Key takeaways
- NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman named Stephen Cash as director of Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, effective Oct. 19, 2026.
- Cash began his NASA career at Marshall in 1982, spent 34 years with the agency, and held roles including manager of the Space Shuttle Propulsion Office and director of Marshall's Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate before retiring in 2016.
- As director, Cash will oversee more than 5,000 civil service and contractor employees and a portfolio that includes the SLS rocket, the Human Landing System Program, and nuclear power and propulsion work.
- Cash succeeds Rae Ann Meyer, who served as Marshall's acting center director since September 2025 and will return to her previous role as deputy center director.
- NASA announced the appointment on Oct. 16, 2026, in release 26-089 from NASA Headquarters.
FAQ
Who is Stephen Cash?
Stephen Cash is a veteran NASA engineer and aerospace executive who began his NASA career at Marshall Space Flight Center in 1982 and spent 34 years with the agency before retiring in 2016.
When does Stephen Cash take over as Marshall director?
His appointment as director of Marshall Space Flight Center is effective Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, according to NASA.
What will Stephen Cash oversee at Marshall?
NASA says Cash will lead a workforce of more than 5,000 civil service and contractor employees and oversee propulsion, space systems, scientific research, and technology development, including NASA's SLS rocket and the Human Landing System Program.
What happens to Rae Ann Meyer?
NASA says Meyer, who served as Marshall's acting center director since September 2025, will return to her previous role as deputy center director.