Gilmour Space adds former NASA exec Pam Melroy to its board

Gilmour Space adds former NASA exec Pam Melroy to its board as Australia’s rocket and spaceport ambitions expand. Pamela Melroy—former NASA deputy administrator, astronaut, and retired US Air Force colonel—joined the board of Queensland-based Gilmour Space. She is described as one of only two women to have commanded a Space Shuttle mission and brings more than three decades of leadership across civil, defense and commercial aerospace. She joins former Citibank executive Paco Ybarra as a director. Gilmour Space CEO Adam Gilmour said Melroy’s government, defense and commercial experience will support Australia’s sovereign capability and international expansion. Melroy said the company is building critical sovereign capability, citing work from launch vehicles and satellites to supporting infrastructure. Founded on the Gold Coast in 2013 by brothers Adam and James Gilmour, the firm became a unicorn with a $1 billion valuation after a $217 million Series E led by the National Reconstruction Fund and Hostplus. Its 23-metre, 30-tonne Eris rocket made its first launch attempt last July, and the company operates Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland.