Regina Senegal Named Acting Chief of NASA's Quality and Flight Equipment Division

Senegal oversees safety and quality teams for key NASA programs at Johnson Space Center

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Regina Senegal has been named the acting chief of the Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate's Quality and Flight Equipment Division at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. In this role, Senegal manages safety and quality teams supporting major programs like Orion, Gateway, and the Human Landing System.

Why it matters

Safety and quality assurance are critical to the success of NASA's human spaceflight programs. Senegal's leadership in this division ensures rigorous processes are in place to mitigate risks and maintain the highest standards of safety for astronauts, hardware, and mission operations.

The details

As acting division chief, Senegal oversees around 13 customer teams responsible for implementing agency, program, and center safety and quality requirements. Some teams focus on writing program requirements, establishing assurance programs, and identifying risks, while others work on ensuring specific hardware, software, and equipment meet all necessary standards. Senegal's division also handles calibration, procurement quality, and the Receiving, Inspection and Test Facility at Johnson.

  • Senegal was introduced to quality management as a manufacturing engineer at General Motors before joining NASA as a contractor in 1994.
  • Senegal became a civil servant at Johnson Space Center in 2004 and has worked there for 28 years.
  • Senegal was recently named the acting chief of the Quality and Flight Equipment Division, her most challenging role to date.

The players

Regina Senegal

The acting chief of the Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate's Quality and Flight Equipment Division at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

NASA

The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the federal agency responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research.

Johnson Space Center

NASA's center for human spaceflight activities, located in Houston, Texas.

Orion Program

NASA's program to develop the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, a spacecraft intended to carry astronauts to the Moon and beyond.

Gateway Program

NASA's program to develop a lunar orbital outpost, known as the Gateway, that will serve as a staging point for missions to the Moon and eventually Mars.

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What they’re saying

“This division is probably the most diverse at Johnson because we do a multitude of things and have a multitude of disciplines. That's why I enjoy it.”

— Regina Senegal, Acting Chief, Quality and Flight Equipment Division (nasa.gov)

“As deputy, you manage parts of the business. As chief, you own it all—mission outcomes, safety posture, budget, culture, and external optics.”

— Regina Senegal, Acting Chief, Quality and Flight Equipment Division (nasa.gov)

“The chief's message has to be clear, repeatable, and behavior-shaping. Building rhythms like staff syncs and risk reviews keeps the team aligned amid competing agendas.”

— Regina Senegal, Acting Chief, Quality and Flight Equipment Division (nasa.gov)

What’s next

Senegal will continue to lead the Quality and Flight Equipment Division, overseeing safety and quality assurance for key NASA programs at Johnson Space Center. She plans to focus on supporting the agency's acquisition strategy and improving decision-making processes to enhance mission success.

The takeaway

Regina Senegal's leadership in NASA's Quality and Flight Equipment Division underscores the critical role of safety and quality assurance in human spaceflight. Her experience and commitment to developing the next generation of SMA professionals will help ensure the continued success and safety of NASA's ambitious exploration goals.