Changes In The NASA Human Spaceflight Program (Update)
Sources are reporting that Kirk Shireman is leaving his job as @NASA ISS Program Manager
— NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) June 16, 2020
Keith’s 16 June update: As we first reported last night ISS Program Manager Kirk Shireman is leaving NASA. Additional NASA sources have confirmed that he has announced his retirement effective 26 June, This departure is quite a surprise to people at NASA.
NASA Updates Date, Time for Media Teleconference with Administrator, New Head of Human Spaceflight
“NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine will host a media teleconference at 2 p.m. EDT Thursday, June 18, to introduce Kathy Lueders, the newly selected associate administrator of the agency’s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate.”
NASA Names Joel Montalbano As Acting International Space Station Program Manager
“Kathy Lueders, NASA’s associate administrator for Human Exploration and Operations, has named Joel Montalbano as acting manager of the International Space Station Program. The appointment is effective Friday, June 26, the date Kirk Shireman, who has been in the position since 2015, is retiring from the agency to take a position in private industry.”
I wonder if he is joining Axiom or Bigelow?
Bigelow Aerospace isn’t doing very much these days due to the virus shutdown. It will be interesting to see if it reopens.
It appears the future is in “new space”, ‘commercial space’. In human space flight NASA seems to be out of the DDT&E business and its not a recent development. We have not seen NASA leading the charge in 20 years, maybe longer. The people now leading design and development are the Elon Musks. Fifty years ago HSF was led by the ultimate hands on detail oriented NASA engineers, people like George Low or Max Faget. Now, for NASA, leadership in contract management is key.
NASA hasn’t lead the charge because NASA is beholden to the 435 folks on Capitol Hill. Elon and Jeff dont answer to them.
Oh, and by the way, there are folks at Langley, JPL, and other centers who are at the tip of the spear till doing good design work, even though they don’t get a lot of pub.
Hopefully NASA can keep those organizations strong. Together with Space X, they are the backbone of U.S. spaceflight.
Remember where Lars Blackmore was before heading to SpaceX.
If you are going to try and post conspiracy theories or dump on Kathy or Kirk – don’t.
This is a sudden announcement, surprises like this are unusual.
He’s been with NASA for 35 years. He’s done a good job in the programs he has been involved with and managed. He’s paid his dues. Sometimes, it is good to move on to newer challenges. He will bring with him a vast amount of experience to his new job.
Given that NASA has appeared to be ossified for a long time, perhaps key changes of staff will be a good thing. This is only a distant observation as I don’t know any of these people.
Godspeed to Joel M. Good, competent guy. Miss working with him.