Bill Nelson To Be Nominated To Run NASA
Keith’s note: Interesting historical note: Steve Isakowitz was the original Obama/Biden (planned) NASA administrator nominee back in 2009 – but Sen. Nelson refused to meet with him – blocking him and insisting on Charlie Bolden instead. Nelson then did his best to block Jim Bridenstine from becoming Administrator because he was a “career politician”. These things don’t always run smoothly.
Biden expected to nominate former senator Bill Nelson to be NASA administrator, Washington Post
“Lori Garver, who served as NASA deputy administrator under President Obama, said the choice of Nelson was “an ironic turn of events considering he blocked President Obama’s top-nominees for the job in 2009 and then led the congressional effort that dismantled the Obama-Biden strategy and proposed budget, created the Space Launch System, reinstated Orion and cut funding for technology and commercial crew.” She added that Nelson will need to understand why the SLS rocket “has cost so much more than projected.” But she said he “has already had more influence on NASA than anyone in recent memory, so he has plenty of experience and should be able to hit the ground running.”
Keith’s note: Meanwhile the usual suspects inside the Beltway in Big Aerospace are lining up for jobs …
Biden to tap Bill Nelson to lead NASA, Politico
“If you have someone like Sen. Nelson, who has decades of experience and a personal relationship with the president, they’ll have a different ability to voice their reaction or response to the budget process. … That will have a very real impact,” said Mike French, the vice president of space systems at the Aerospace Industries Association. “To me, the most important thing is your ability to manage and look out for the agency’s interests … independent of your background.”
2021 Bill Nelson Wants To Be NASA Administrator – 2017 Bill Nelson Says He’s Not Qualified, earlier post
Sources are reporting that the nomination paperwork for @SenBillNelson and @Astro_Pam to run @NASA has made its way to Capitol Hill. One would expect a formal announcement shortly.
— NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) March 18, 2021
Joe Biden has picked former Florida senator Bill Nelson to lead NASA, with former astronaut Pam Melroy in the process to be deputy administrator, sources say. https://t.co/0GoTqFoplm
— Joey Roulette (@joroulette) March 18, 2021
I can forgive him for the whole “A politician who said politicians shouldn’t run NASA wants to run NASA” thing, given the positive surprise that was Bridenstine’s tenure. I would hope he at least acknowledges that in his confirmation hearings though.
I guess I’m so used to the idea of SLS that I just accept he will happily continue that program no matter the practicality.
Most importantly, I want to hear him state a change of heart on embracing commercial crew alternatives going forward. He has not been a fan, to say the least, of SpaceX. If he can’t commit to that, it’s going to be a long 4-8 years fighting the winds of inevitable change.
I would be interested to know what kind of experience he has in gathering political support in Congress to reach a consensus. That is the main reason for having a politician. My impression on Nelson is that he is more a follower than a leader.
If Bill Nelson had any say in the matter, we would still be flying astronauts on Soyuz while SLS continues to have delay after delay.
I’m not impressed with this nomination.
Insert darth vader no gif.
Ugh well there goes any sort of change or improvement for the agency. The money pits of sls and Orion will continue unchecked and looking for new ways to do things like CLPS or HLS will probably be pushed aside for traditional cost plus bloat. Old space must be popping champagne while upstarts need to shore up private investors as things might be drying up from NASA.
79 years old… 4, 3, 2, 1, …. Nap!
As someone who worked on the Space Shuttle Program for over 28 years and had Bill Nelson as my representative when he weaseled his way onto a flight on STS-61c as a payload specialist, I am not impressed. Unfortunately I feel he will be a lightweight version of Charlie Bolden. I wish him well but he is an Old Space politician and not a visionary for collaboration with New Space companies like SpaceX. I hope he proves me wrong.
Lightweight Bolden-Bolden was not a positive force for the program. Will be sorry to see another.
Right! My point exactly.
well, color me unimpressed. But the lobbyists are happy.
It’s difficult to overstate just how awful this news is.
I said it with Bridenstein…it is a political position and a politician is well suited to the main duty of gathering funding for NASA from other politicians. I was right and Jim was awesome.
What was I thinking! Please forgive me! I should have been more specific. I should have stipulated that the candidate needs to have two brain cells to rub together!
Keith, maybe you’ll block this post, if you do I’ll understand. I just can’t resist the urge to lampoon this ridiculous pick. AAARRRGGGHHHH!
Biden: ZZZZZZZZ
Aid: Mr. President, who will be the next NASA Director?
Biden: Wha what? Is na na NASA really ne ne ne necessary?
Aid: Nelson? Did you say Bill Nelson?
Biden: Bill Nelson? Ya, good choice. zzzzzzzzz
Aid: (sigh) Well, ok then.
After 2 months this Administration is a major disappointment. A continuation of Trump would have been preferable, even with his issues.
Biden is disappointing in many ways, but only someone unaware would say he is worse than Trump.
At least Nelson tends to know which way the wind is blowing. If he sees that SpaceX, Blue Origin, Nanoracks and other new companies are going to be the key players he may come around. Like any politician he wants to take credit for success.
I hope you are right!