Tara Ruttley

Tara Ruttley is a scientist, engineer, and former NASA leader known for her work advancing human health and research in space. She began her career at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in 2001, where she helped develop medical equipment and human research hardware used aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Trained across multiple disciplines, Ruttley holds degrees in biology, mechanical engineering (with an emphasis in biomedical engineering), and a Ph.D. in neuroscience.

Over two decades at NASA, Ruttley became a key figure in planning, managing, and communicating science and exploration activities for the ISS. Her roles included serving as lead hardware engineer for the ISS Health Maintenance System and Human Research Facility, and later as Associate Program Scientist for the ISS. She ultimately rose to serve as NASA’s Associate Chief Scientist for Microgravity Research, helping shape research priorities for low-Earth orbit platforms and future exploration missions.

Ruttley is also recognized for her experience in extreme-environment exploration. In 2004, she served as an aquanaut on NASA’s NEEMO 6 mission, living and working for days in the Aquarius undersea research lab while helping test and lead hardware experiments in an analog environment for spaceflight. Her combination of engineering expertise and mission experience has made her a respected voice in the future of human spaceflight and innovation.

Today, Ruttley serves as Chief Scientist for Orbital Reef at Blue Origin, where she helps guide the scientific vision for a next-generation commercial space station. She is also an in-demand speaker and advocate for STEM education, sharing insights on leadership, exploration, and building resilient systems under extreme constraints. Ruttley’s career reflects a rare blend of technical excellence, mission-driven purpose, and a lifelong commitment to expanding what’s possible in space.