Ex-senator will be picked to lead NASA
Florida’s Nelson known for support of space program while in Congress
Former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, poised to become the next NASA administrator, is a politician like his predecessor but one who has been immersed in the space program for decades. He was known as the go-to guy for space during his time in
Congress and even flew on space shuttle Columbia decades ago.
Nelson, 78, is expected to continue the Artemis program that’s working to return astronauts to the moon. His political chops and close ties with President Joe Biden, who served with him in Congress, should help with the agency’s political jockeying and funding. And Nelson has been consistently enthusiastic about space.
Yet many people had hoped for the first female NASA administrator. Or perhaps someone with fresh, bold ideas. Still, rumors of Nelson’s nomination have been swirling for a few weeks, and Friday’s White House announcement made it official: Biden intended to nominate Nelson to be head of NASA.
“It’s almost a surprisefree appointment,” said John Logsdon, a retired professor and founder of George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute. “I mean, he’s been involved since he was a young congressman in space matters, and he’s clearly qualified to do the job. And you can’t complain about him being too old when he’s the same age as the president.”
Nelson, a fifth-generation
Floridian, began his political career in the state Legislature. He later served as a U.S. representative, chairing the Space Subcommittee for six years, and then as a U.S. senator. In the Senate, he was chairman or ranking member of the Space and Science Subcommittee. He also served as ranking member of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. He lost his reelection bid to Republican Rick Scott in 2018 and currently serves on the NASA Advisory Council.
“Most every piece of space and science law has had his imprint,” a White House news release said. “In the Senate, he was known as the go-to senator for our nation’s space program.”
Politicians were quick to show support for Nelson on Friday. Democratic U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Dallas, chairwoman of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, praised his experience and said Nelson “will be able to hit the ground running when he becomes administrator.” U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said he couldn’t think of anyone better to lead NASA.
“There has been no greater champion, not just for Florida’s space industry, but for the space program as a whole than Bill,” Rubio said in a statement. “His nomination gives me confidence that the Biden administration finally understands the importance of the Artemis program, and the necessity of winning the 21st century space race.”
And Nelson’s appointment should be positive for Houston’s Johnson Space Center, said Bob Mitchell, president of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership. The center has seen an uptick in activity and morale since NASA accelerated its efforts to return to the moon.
“Biden has said he’s going to continue with the Artemis program, and you’re going to have Sen. Nelson continue the Artemis program,” Mitchell said. “There’s not going to be any major cancellations of programs and starting all over again.”
Human spaceflight programs often get upended when a new president comes into the White House. But Nelson is expected to continue the Space Launch System rocket, which NASA will use to return astronauts to the moon, because he was instrumental in passing the 2010 authorization act that directed NASA to build this rocket.
The Space Launch System is behind schedule and over budget. It has not yet launched into space, but it did pass a critical milestone Thursday when the rocket’s core stage was ignited for 8 minutes and 19 seconds. This was the second ignition as the first hot fire test in January ended early, after 67.2 seconds, because of conservative test parameters. Thursday’s test lasted the full duration that would be required to propel the Orion capsule into space.
On this mission, the Space Launch System rocket will launch an uncrewed Orion capsule on a course to fly around the moon. The subsequent Artemis II mission will have people on board. Then Artemis III will lower the first woman and next man to the moon.
“A lot of people in the space world have been burned by massive swings in NASA programs and objectives in between NASA administrations,” said Brian Weeden, director of program planning for the Secure World Foundation, which promotes the sustainable and peaceful use of space. “A lot of us would like to see more continuity because every time there’s a swing that ends up in more delays.”
Biden’s decision to support the Artemis program has helped with that continuity. And now the quick decision on who will lead NASA — faster than previous presidents, Weeden said — is another step toward that much-craved stability.
But Nelson’s nomination does have an awkward cloud hanging overhead. In the contentious confirmation hearing for former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, Nelson was among the vocal critics who did not want a politician running NASA.
“I initially opposed the nomination because I felt a nominee should have space experience,” Nelson said in an email sent to the Houston Chronicle in January as Bridenstine left office. “I think Jim Bridenstine put his heart into it and did a real good job at NASA.”
If confirmed, Nelson on Friday promised to “help lead NASA into an exciting future of possibilities.”
“Its workforce radiates optimism, ingenuity and a can-do spirit,” Nelson said in a statement. “The NASA team continues to achieve the seemingly impossible as we venture into the cosmos.”
Bridenstine, a Republican U.S. representative when then-President Donald Trump nominated him to lead NASA, said Nelson has the political clout and diplomatic skills that will be needed to run NASA. He also has close ties to Biden — just like Bridenstine had a good relationship with Trump.
“Bill Nelson is an excellent pick for NASA Administrator,” Bridenstine said in a statement. “The Senate should confirm Bill Nelson without delay.”
Weeden questioned if this is a new trend for NASA. Bridenstine’s familiarity with Congress helped while he was at the helm, and other administrators without a strong congressional relationship sometimes struggled to get programs passed. Still, Weeden said many people would rather have NASA run by an engineer, astronaut or someone who ran space programs.
“There’s this hope that NASA sits outside of politics and sort of represents an American effort, not a political effort,” Weeden said. “The reality is NASA is a political organization because it gets funded by Congress.”
Nelson is expected to be confirmed without issue, but he may have to address his former sentiments regarding politicians leading NASA.
“You have to live by what you’ve said, and he’s going to have to explain that comment away in his confirmation hearing,” said Logsdon, the retired professor. “I think he’ll be confirmed easily, and there will be a little pushback because of the politician remark.”