(CNN) For the first time in history, a woman will serve as chief flight director of America's space agency.

Holly Ridings will lead the group that directs human spaceflight missions from Mission Control Center at Houston's Johnson Space Center, NASA said in a statement

Ridings will manage a group of 32 flight directors and flight directors-in-training who oversee missions involving the International Space Station, the agency said.

She replaces Norm Knight, who is now the deputy director of Flight Operations.

"Holly has proven herself a leader among a group of highly talented flight directors," Knight said.

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