![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
. | ![]() |
. |
![]() by Paul Brinkmann Washington DC (UPI) Jan 20, 2021
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine stepped down as planned Wednesday and posted a message on Twitter to thank employees and all who supported his tenure at the space agency. Bridenstine, who left on the day of President Joe Biden's inauguration, made a public plea for continued support of NASA and planned missions to the moon and Mars. He referenced historic disagreements at the agency and in Washington over whether to support another moon mission or a Mars mission, or simply to focus on Earth sciences. "It's not about the moon or Mars, which put us in conflict in the House of Representatives between Republicans and Democrats. It's about both," Bridenstine said. "It's about going to the moon to get the science and discovery that we need to learn how to live and work in another world for long periods of time." NASA associate administrator Steve Jurczyk has become acting administrator. Ellen Stofan, a former NASA chief scientist, has overseen President Joe Biden's transition team for NASA and space policy. Stofan is considered a potential candidate for NASA administrator, and if appointed to that job, would become the first woman to lead the space agency. "I'll tell you when a new team comes in, give them all your support because they need it," Bridenstine said in his recorded message. "They deserve it. ... They'll have all my support and I hope they have all your support." Bridenstine oversaw a heady three years at NASA that included the continuing construction of a new Space Launch System moon rocket, the launch of the Mars rover Perseverance and the return of NASA crewed spaceflight to U.S. soil after a nine-year absence. That gap ended in May, when NASA's Commercial Crew Program launched astronauts from Florida to the International Space Station in a SpaceX capsule aboard a SpaceX rocket. In 2017, then-President Donald Trump nominated Bridenstine, a former U.S. representative from Oklahoma, to head NASA. Congress approved the appointment in a party-line vote in 2018, with some Democrats objecting because Bridenstine was the first NASA administrator who had no formal background as a space or science professional.
![]() ![]() NASA Extends Exploration for Two Planetary Science Missions Washington DC (SPX) Jan 11, 2021 As NASA prepares to send astronauts back to the Moon and on to Mars, the agency's quest to seek answers about our solar system and beyond continues to inform those efforts and generate new discoveries. The agency has extended the missions of two spacecraft, following an external review of their scientific productivity. The missions - Juno and InSight - have each increased our understanding of our solar system, as well as spurred new sets of diverse questions. An independent review panel, com ... read more
![]() |
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |