China rejects NASA accusation it will take over the moon, Reuters via NBC “China on Monday rejected as an irresponsible smear a warning from the chief of NASA that China might “take over” the moon as part of a military program, saying it has always called for the building of a community of nations in outer space. China has stepped up the pace of its space program in the past […]

NASA OIG: NASA’s Management Of The Mobile Launcher 2 Contract “The ML-2’s substantial cost increases and schedule delays can be attributed primarily to Bechtel’s poor performance on the contract, with more than 70 percent ($421.1 million) of the contract’s cost increases and over 1.5 years of delays related to its performance. For example, Bechtel underestimated the ML-2 project’s scope and complexity, experienced ML-2 weight management challenges, and experienced staffing turnover […]

Keith’s note: On Friday 5 November Vice President Harris will visit NASA GSFC to talk about climate change and protecting vulnerable communities. VP Harris will be joined by Bill Nelson and representatives from USGS and NOAA. After her tour at 4:45 to 5:00 pm ET she will deliver remarks which will be live streamed at http://whitehouse.gov/live. VP Harris will also announce that the first National Space Council meeting will be […]

Revised budget reconciliation package reduces NASA infrastructure funds, Space News “A new, scaled-back version of a spending package released Oct. 28 sharply reduced the money allocated to NASA infrastructure and climate change projects, while continuing to exclude funding for a second Artemis lunar lander. … The revised Build Back Better Act, like earlier versions of the budget reconciliation package, included nothing for the future development of lunar landers for the […]

House Science Committee Hearing: A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Proposal for NASA 10:00 am EDT Witness: Bill Nelson Watch live – House – NASA Congress isn’t happy about SpaceX’s lunar lander and may vent this week, Ars Technica “NASA Administrator Bill Nelson will appear at a committee meeting of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee on Wednesday, and the meeting could be full of intrigue […]

Russia, Once a Space Superpower, Turns to China for Missions, NY Times “Now, the future of the Russian space program rests with the world’s new space power, China. After years of promises and some limited cooperation, Russia and China have begun to draw up ambitious plans for missions that would directly compete with those of the United States and its partners, ushering in a new era of space competition that […]

Once again @SenBillNelson steps in it. I am sure White House is thrilled with his freelancing on this topic a day after @jrpsaki stood in the WH briefing room and said that the Administration is withholding judgement on this issue until the WHO has completed their investigation. https://t.co/blmVIQiybd — NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) May 25, 2021

House Appropriations CJS subcommittee Hearing: FY 2022 Budget Request for NASA Keith’s note: This is the first time that NASA Administrator Senator Astronaut Bill Nelson faces Congress. There is no mention made of the hearing on the NASA TV calendar. But wait – the NASA TV site says it will air the hearing at 2:00 pm. So much for the accuracy of the NASA TV calendar I suppose.

Keith’s note: If you have been watching the space-themed photo ops fro the Oval office you have no doubt seen the Moon rock that President Biden likes to point at on the shelf. NASA can’t get enough of that Moon rock love either. Bill Nelson was sworn in next to it. Imagine what your average citizen might do to find out more about that Moon rock after seeing something on […]

NASA Names New Chief of Staff – Susie Perez Quinn “As chief of staff, Quinn will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of NASA Headquarters. She will work with Nelson and senior NASA staff to shape the strategic direction of the agency, while overseeing and articulating various policies and programs.” Keith’s 1 May note: Sources report that Susie Perez Quinn is coming to NASA to work on the 9th floor […]