Earlier today, the White House announced Bill Nelson, a former senator and astronaut is U.S. President Biden’s pick to serve as NASA administrator. Nelson is set to take over the role from Steve Jurczyk, who is currently is the acting administrator following Jim Bridenstine’s exit on January 20.
Last year, Bridenstine said that he would step down from the role if Biden was elected as president and followed up after the latest US presidential election. Following Bridenstine’s departure, Steve Jurczyk took over the space agency’s acting administrator until the announcement of permanent replacement.
On Friday, the White House announced that President Biden will nominate Bill Nelson to take over the role of NASA administrator. Nelson has played pivotal role in different sectors over the years including the role of State Treasurer and Senator. Apart from these, Nelson was previously the chair of the House of Representatives Space Subcommittee for six years and was likewise a ranking member and Chairman of the Senate Space and Science Subcommittee.
Apart from being actively involved in different sectors, Nelson was also part of the 24th Space Shuttle crew in 1986. In an official statement, the White House said, “Most every piece of space and science law has had [Nelson’s] imprint, including passing the landmark NASA bill of 2010 along with Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson. That law set NASA on its present dual course of both government and commercial missions.”
