posted 06-13-2014 02:50 PM               

She tweeted her departure:

Thanks, NASA, for a decade of dreams coming true! It was an honor to work with the team. Keep exploring!

posted 06-30-2014 11:30 AM               

Astronaut Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger Leaves NASA

NASA astronaut and educator Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger has departed the agency for other pursuits.

Selected by NASA in 2004, Metcalf-Lindenburger was among NASA's first class of educator astronauts. She flew on space shuttle mission STS-131 in April of 2010, accumulating more than 15 days in space. During her mission she coordinated supplies and equipment transferred to the station brought up on the Space Shuttle Discovery.

In addition to her spaceflight experience, Metcalf-Lindenburger served as the Astronaut Office Station Branch lead for systems and crew interfaces and was instrumental in making the space station a better living environment for crewmembers. In 2012, she commanded the NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) 16 mission.

Before joining NASA, Metcalf-Lindenburger taught Earth Science and Astronomy at Hudson's Bay High School in Vancouver, Wash. She also participated in undergraduate research with the KECK Consortium mapping the last glaciations of Russell Creek in Wyoming (1995) and mapping and determining the petrology of the rocks in the Wet Mountain region of Colorado (1996). Both research positions led to publications.

"Dottie has been a tremendous asset to our office," said Bob Behnken, chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. "As an educator, her enthusiasm for sharing the excitement of space exploration was infectious and she was a great influence on our office and our work to inspire the public. She brought that same passion and dedication to her work as an astronaut. She will be missed but we know she will continue to share the spirit of exploration wherever her path leads her next."

Metcalf-Lindenburger holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Whitman College, Walla Walla, Wash., and attained a teaching certification from Central Washington University.

posted 09-06-2025 10:43 PM               

Former NASA Astronaut Named Chair-Elect

Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger to Lead Board

Challenger Center, a leading STEM education nonprofit, announced the election of former NASA educator astronaut Dorothy "Dottie" Metcalf-Lindenburger as Chair-Elect of its Board of Directors, with her term beginning in August 2026 when current Board Chair Josh Izenberg's term concludes.

Metcalf-Lindenburger began her career as a high school science teacher in Vancouver before she was selected to join the Astronaut Corps as part of NASA's Educator Astronaut Project in 2004. She flew as a mission specialist on STS-131 to the International Space Station and later commanded NASA's NEEMO undersea research mission.

Since retiring from NASA, she has been a passionate advocate for STEM education. Metcalf-Lindenburger has served on Challenger Center's Board of Directors since 2018, volunteers on the Presidential Advisory Board for Whitman College, and is a trustee of the Museum of Flight in Seattle. In addition, she travels the country speaking to students, educators, and teachers about her personal experiences and the importance of STEM.

"Many of the complex challenges of today and tomorrow will be solved by people working in STEM," said Metcalf-Lindenburger. "For nearly 40 years, Challenger Center has inspired students to see themselves in these roles and given them the hands-on experiences they need to succeed. I'm honored to help lead the organization into its next chapter, expanding opportunities for every learner to discover the power and possibility of STEM."

"Dottie is the embodiment of our mission — an educator, an explorer, and a passionate advocate for students," said Mike Kincaid, Challenger Center's President and Executive Director. "I've worked with her over the past 20 years, so I know that her experience makes her the perfect leader to guide our Board as we continue sparking curiosity in today's learners and tomorrow's STEM workforce."

In 2026, Challenger Center will celebrate its 40th anniversary. Since its founding in the wake of the Challenger tragedy, Challenger Center has reached more than 6.5 million students across the globe. Looking to the next 40 years, Challenger Center is committed to leading the charge—uniting partners and thought leaders to tackle the urgent needs of today's students, prepare them for the rapidly evolving STEM workforce, and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.