Sharon Cobb
Associate Program Manager, NASA’s Space Launch System
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Dr. Sharon Cobb is the associate program manager of NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) Program at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. As the third-ranking manager within the office, Cobb assists with overall programmatic and technical planning, coordination, management, and integration activities. SLS is part of NASA’s backbone for deep space exploration and is the only rocket that can send Orion, astronauts, and supplies to the Moon in a single launch.
Experience
Cobb has 34 years of management and technical expertise. She began her NASA career in 1986 as a senior research scientist conducting pioneering studies on the effects of reduced gravity processing on a variety of complex semiconductor materials. She went on to be materials science team lead and element scientist and program executive for the In-Situ Resource Utilization and Fabrication and Repair programs at NASA Headquarters.
As a congressional fellow from 2006 to 2007, Cobb served as adviser to former Rep. Bud Cramer of Alabama on issues such as science and technology, education, trade, and telecommunications. She joined NASA Marshall’s Office of Strategic Analysis & Communications in 2007 as assistant to the office’s director of the organization and was named manager of the External Relations Office in 2008. Since joining the SLS Program Office in 2012, Cobb has been SLS assistant program manager, manager of the SLS Program Operations and Strategic Communications Office, acting SLS deputy program manager, and deputy element manager for the Block 1B Development Office.
Awards
Cobb has been honored with a NASA Exceptional Service Award, NASA Space Flight Awareness Management Award, Federal Women’s Program Outstanding Achievement Award, and numerous special service and group awards.
Education
A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Cobb earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in materials engineering from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, and a doctorate in materials science and engineering from the University of Florida.
Biography last updated July 2024