Johnson Mourns the Loss of Mark Geyer

Message from NASA Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche on the Passing of Mark Geyer:

JSC and WSTF Family,

Today we mourn the loss of Mark Geyer, a leader of human spaceflight, champion of diversity and inclusion, and friend to all who knew him. On behalf of our entire human spaceflight team in Houston and New Mexico, I offer my deepest condolences to Mark’s wife Jackie, his three children and the entire Geyer family. 

Mark’s initiation of the center’s vision to dare to expand frontiers, unite with partners to complete bold missions, and explore space to benefit humanity is the hallmark of his legacy for JSC. 

His leadership as center director helped position America’s space program for a space renaissance, as more human space flight programs were led from Houston during his tenure than ever in history. Mark’s accomplishments were historic in nature, as he helped return launch capability to American soil — including the successful launches and landings of NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 and Crew-1 and the successful launch of Crew-2. 

Mark joined the International Space Station Program in 1994, where he served a variety of roles, including NASA’s lead negotiator with Russia on space station requirements, plans and strategies. He was the first program manager for Orion, a key component of NASA’s Artemis program, which will land the first woman and the first person of color on the lunar surface. He also facilitated great progress with Gateway, an outpost orbiting the Moon that will provide vital support for a long-term human return to the lunar surface, as well as a staging point for deep space exploration. As director, Mark led JSC through the longest government shutdown in American history. He also led the center and its programs during an unprecedented pandemic, while the nation experienced economic challenges, racial injustice, and inequality.  

As the NASA family mourns his passing, we are forever grateful for Mark’s leadership, and will continue to honor his legacy as a champion of human spaceflight for all. 

Please know our Employee Assistance Program is available for employees, contractors and dependents who would like to speak to someone during this difficult time. 

With deepest sympathy, 

Vanessa

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Message from the NASA Administrator on the Passing of Mark Geyer:

Today, we mourn the loss of a giant for human spaceflight and a beloved member of the NASA family: former Johnson Space Center Director Mark Geyer. I offer my deepest condolences to Mark’s wife, Jackie, his three children, and the entire Geyer family.

Like so many Americans, Mark spent his childhood watching the Gemini and Apollo missions. It inspired him to join NASA. It is difficult to overstate the difference he made.

Under Mark’s leadership, Johnson Space Center moved the United States into a new era of human space exploration. In fact, more human spaceflight programs were led from Houston during his tenure than ever before.

That’s because Mark personified the American character, believing we should constantly venture farther into the cosmos for the benefit of humanity. It’s not an exaggeration to say Mark’s legacy will be realized for generations to come at the agency he loved so dearly. When NASA returns astronauts to the Moon under Artemis and ultimately prepares for human missions to Mars, this new generation of explorers and adventurers will be guided by Mark’s spirit.

Mark Geyer shaped history. He strengthened this agency and the bonds of our NASA family. We will miss this champion for exploration and forever be grateful for his service.

Bill Nelson