Albert Sierra
Program Manager, Launch Services
As program manager for NASA’s Launch Services Program within the agency’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, Albert Sierra leads a team responsible for launching rockets delivering spacecraft to observe the Earth, visit other planets, and explore the universe.
The program plays a key role within the agency, matching spacecraft with the best-suited rockets, managing the launch process, and providing support from pre-mission planning to postlaunch activities. Sierra helps implement NASA’s policy to use a variety of both existing and emerging domestic launch capabilities to ensure access to space for the agency’s science and related mission.
Teamwork among NASA and the launch providers, engineers, and analysts ensures pre-mission and postlaunch success.
I work with an amazing group of people. Each individual on the team is fully committed and excited about delivering dependable, competitive, and user-friendly launch services in the commercial landscape in order to maximize the opportunities for mission success.
Albert Sierra
Program Manager, Launch Services
“I work with an amazing group of people,” said Sierra. “Each individual on the team is fully committed and excited about delivering dependable, competitive, and user-friendly launch services in the commercial landscape in order to maximize the opportunities for mission success.”
Looking ahead, Sierra is excited about NASA’s future and bringing his expertise and enthusiasm to upcoming missions, including Europa Clipper, a spacecraft built to conduct the first detailed investigations of Jupiter’s icy moon Europa, and GOES-U, an environmental monitoring satellite that will enable forecasters to predict, observe, and track weather events that affect public safety.
“NASA has the knowledge to adapt to the evolving commercial space landscape. I’m confident the agency will use its history, as well as its long-lasting relationships and partnerships, to enable and assist current and emerging providers,” said Sierra.
Sierra was born in New York City, but moved to Puerto Rico at the age of 10, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Puerto Rico. He also holds a master’s degree in management from the Florida Institute of Technology.
When he’s not working, Sierra enjoys the outdoors, playing golf, woodworking, and spending time with his family.
NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate maintains a continuous human presence in space for the benefit of people on Earth. The programs within the directorate are the heart of NASA’s space exploration efforts, enabling Artemis, commercial space, science, and other agency missions through communication, launch services, research capabilities, and crew support.
To learn more about NASA’s Space Operation Mission Directorate, visit: