Erin Edwards Named Deputy Branch Chief for Crew Ops

Canadian military pilot takes on new role managing astronaut training at NASA's Johnson Space Center

Feb. 5, 2026 at 1:31am

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Erin Edwards, a Canadian military pilot with a diverse background in aviation, diving, and engineering, has been named the new Deputy Branch Chief for Crew Operations at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. In her new role, Edwards and her team will oversee astronaut candidate training schedules, including field medical exercises, land survival, and underwater operations.

Why it matters

Edwards' appointment highlights NASA's commitment to bringing in talented individuals from outside the traditional astronaut pipeline to help manage the complex logistics of human spaceflight operations. Her unique military and technical background is seen as an asset in coordinating the training and readiness of future astronauts.

The details

As Deputy Branch Chief, Edwards will be responsible for developing and testing new training programs to keep NASA's crews mission-ready. She will also serve as a capsule communicator, or "capcom", in the International Space Station Mission Control Center, where she will relay critical information to astronauts during dynamic operations.

  • Edwards has been at NASA for 2 years, with a 3-year term.
  • She previously worked in the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command as an aircraft commander.

The players

Erin Edwards

A Canadian military pilot who has been named the new Deputy Branch Chief for Crew Operations at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

NASA

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the government agency responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research.

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What they’re saying

“Just go for it! You miss 100% of the shots you don't take, as Wayne Gretzky said. My background as a military helicopter pilot, Navy diver, and mining engineer may appear to have no relevance to NASA, but that diverse experience has turned out to be useful here as an operations officer for astronaut training. I wouldn't have known that if I hadn't thrown my hat in the ring. No matter your technical background, there's probably a place for it in spaceflight-so give it a shot!”

— Erin Edwards (Mirage News)

What’s next

Edwards will continue to oversee astronaut candidate training and develop new programs to keep NASA's crews mission-ready in her new role as Deputy Branch Chief for Crew Operations.

The takeaway

Erin Edwards' appointment as Deputy Branch Chief for Crew Operations at NASA demonstrates the agency's willingness to bring in talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to help manage the complex logistics of human spaceflight. Her unique military and technical experience is seen as an asset in coordinating the training and readiness of future astronauts.