Margaret Luce

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As of August 2025, Margaret (Peg) Luce is the Deputy Director of the Astrophysics Division in the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The Astrophysics Division manages a fleet of world-class space observatories, state-of-the-art technologies, and a spirit of exploration that defines the American character, unlocking answers to humanity’s greatest questions—while delivering innovations that strengthen the nation’s economy, technology base, and global competitiveness.

Previously, Peg was Deputy Director of Heliophysics, where she led the charge to put more science in space by establishing a ride-share program to fly more spacecraft on varying rocket sizes resulting from the growing commercial launch market. At the same time, she has led the Heliophysics Division as it expanded its portfolio by leveraging the increasing availability of small spacecraft that are capable of flying in constellations to deliver multi-platform observations that are essential to understanding the science of space weather.

During her tenure in Heliophysics Division leadership, which began in 2015, Luce served twice as the acting division director. She also served recently as the Acting Deputy Associate Administrator for Programs in SMD, where she was responsible for overseeing and assessing SMD’s multibillion-dollar portfolio of over 100 missions. 

Luce served as the Deputy Director of NASA’s Earth Science Division from 2008-2015. In that role, she provided overall management of the agency’s entire Earth Science portfolio, including technology development, applied science, research, and development and operation of satellite systems.

Luce joined NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in 1987 following six years of engineering experience in the private sector. Throughout her career, Luce has been involved in the development of spaceflight systems to support NASA’s science programs. At Goddard, she served in a number of leadership roles in the Flight Projects Directorate, including project manager for the Earth Observing System Aura Mission, associate director of flight projects for project formulation, and chief of the Advanced Concepts and Formulation Office. 

Luce holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Mechanics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and is the recipient of a NASA Distinguished Service Medal, a NASA Exceptional Service Medal, and a NASA Leadership Award, among others.