Jean Wright was a NASA Aerospace Composite Tech for United Space Alliance- the prime contractor for NASA’s Space Shuttle Processing. As one of 18 women in this critical role, she and her co-workers, who dubbed their group, “The Sew Sisters,” were responsible for fabrication, assembly, disassembly, installation and repair of Thermal Protection System (TPS) hardware and blankets to protect the shuttle and the astronauts lives from deadly/perilous reentry heats and radiation. This involved using detailed measurements, heavy-duty industrial sewing machines, and intricate and physically demanding hand stitching which covered many areas of the shuttle orbiter.

A Motivational Speaker, Jean has been invited to present at many prestigious events such as the International Quilt Festival along with astronaut Karen Nyberg, in Houston, Tex., The Northeast Astronomy Forum (NEAF) in N.Y., the Keynote Speaker at MQX -Machine Quilters Exposition in N.H., Women’s History Month at KSC Visitor Complex, Family Day at the Udvar-Hazy National Air and Space Museum and at Spacefest. Jean has done many TV, radio, and online interviews. And has been featured in many magazine and newspaper articles – often as a ‘Hidden Figure’ in the space industry.

Currently a Docent at the Kennedy Space Center, KSC Visitor Complex & Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit. Jean also does launch support, outreach events and VIP Tours at KSC and KSCVC as needed - including for former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and other high-level NASA and industry officials and visitors.

She is currently a well-respected member of the media, photographing launches as a team member for the space blog, “Space UpClose.”

Jean is currently promoting a new children’s book about her work as a Thermal Protection System Technician for NASA’s space shuttle fleet titled, “Sew Sister: The Untold Story of Jean Wright and NASA’s Seamstresses.” Superbly written and beautifully illustrated by Elise Matich, whom Jean met as a Docent at the space shuttle Atlantis exhibit at the KSC Visitor Complex.

She hopes to inspire young minds about the artistic side of space exploration and the importance of creatively crafting highly technical and complex space vehicles with simple and traditional skills rendered over thousands of years throughout history that continue today.

One of the biggest thrills of her life was being asked by Mark Armstrong to cut and prepare for auction pieces of historic fabric from the Wright Brothers 1903 Flyer that his father, Neil Armstrong, carried to the moon aboard the Apollo 11 Lunar Module!

Jean sews custom shirts, apparel & novelties - space themed and otherwise available for sale.