Former Florida senator is poised to head NASA
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 Senate Space and Science Subcommittee. He also served as ranking member of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. He lost his re-election 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,” the 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, 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.”
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 Hearst Newspapers 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.”
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,” Logsdon said. “I think he'll be confirmed easily, and there will be a little pushback because of the politician remark.”