Keith’s note: It has been 2 days – still no comment from American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Aerospace Industries Association, Commercial Spaceflight Federation, National Space Society, Coalition for Deep Space Exploration, Space Foundation etc. – the big supporters of human and commercial space – about the welfare of NASA JPL and other NASA employees that have been laid off? WTF? Human/commercial space people can’t be bothered to support NASA workforce? The people who build exploration missions are not worth sticking up for? FYI Artemis and ISS and LEO funding aren’t immune by any means either. United we stand, Divided we fall. Update: NSS responded – see tweet below. If you ever needed evidence that they are clueless/irrelevant, this is it.

According to Legacy.com: “After serving in the Air Force, Ike began working for NASA. There, he held a series of jobs starting with managing the Delta Program, which launched communication and weather satellites into orbit. He later oversaw the approach and landing tests of the space shuttle as the Director of Space Shuttle Operations, which led to his becoming the first Black person to lead a NASA center as the Director of NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center. Next, Ike was appointed as a science advisor to the White House, before serving as the first associate administrator of the Office of Commercial Programs (OCP), that expanded private sector investment in space activities. In the late 1980s, Ike moved to the private sector, initially as Senior Vice President for OAO Corp., and later, for Allied Signal (Honeywell), where he retired.” Ad Astra Ike

Family note: “It is with a heavy heart that the Redmond family announces the passing of Chas Redmond. Our loving grandfather/father/husband/brother passed away on November 6th. He will be forever remembered for his laugh, art, music, kindness, adventurous spirit, and the joy he brought to so many.” Keith’s note: I think I knew Chas for nearly all of my 38+ years in DC in and around NASA. He was a multi-talented, creative guy at PAO before creativity was really considered a valuable asset for NASA public affairs. He was fascinated by the whole NASAWatch thing in the 90s and how it developed. Over the past decade or more we interacted multiple times a week on Facebook. Even when his body was doing its best to thwart him he kept going and going. We’ll miss you Chas. Class Act. Ad Astra.

According to NASA PAO: “The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Bill Nelson on the passing of former NASA astronaut Rear Adm. (ret.) Thomas K. (TK) Mattingly II. “We lost one of our country’s heroes on Oct. 31. NASA astronaut TK Mattingly was key to the success of our Apollo Program, and his shining personality will ensure he is remembered throughout history.” More

Keith’s note: this is circulating on social media from ASE – The Association of Space Explorers. I’ll post more information when I get it (or you send it to me). Ad Astra Bo.

According to NASA “Dr. Bhavya Lal, the first associate administrator for technology, policy, and strategy at NASA Headquarters in Washington, has announced that her last day in the office will be Friday, July 28, concluding more than two and a half years of service at the agency. “Bhavya has helped shape the future of NASA, playing key roles in expanding our collaborations on nuclear propulsion, developing a planetary defense strategy, and much more,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Her leadership during the early days of the Biden-Harris Administration helped ensure NASA’s continuity of purpose. On behalf of the NASA family, I want to thank Bhavya for her public service.” More

Keith’s Note: According to the Washington Post: “Virginia Norwood, a pioneering aerospace engineer who used design innovations, emerging technologies and seasoned intuition in projects that scanned the lunar surface for safe Apollo landing sites and mapped the Earth from space with digital imagery never before seen, died March 26 at her home in Topanga, Calif. She was 96.” Ad astra Virginia.

Keith’s note: From the NASA GSFC Facebook page: “We are mourning the sudden loss of Dr. Gail Skofronick-Jackson this week. Gail has been part of NASA Earth science since 1997. She was a brilliant, deeply principled, and passionate scientist, beloved coworker, and friend. We send our condolences to Gail’s family and honor Gail by continuing to commit to our mission as she did during her time with us. Her impact […]

Congress won’t block Trump’s order to strip civil service protections from many federal workers, Washington Post “The bill is silent regarding an executive order issued just before the election that would change the status of federal employees whose work involves making or carrying out policy or giving confidential advice to top officials. Under the order, they could be dismissed with little cause or recourse, much like the political appointees who […]

Trump’s Plan to Gut the Civil Service, Lawfare “But this new executive order exempts agencies from following the civil service rules for hiring and firing Schedule F employees. If you are a career civil servant in either the competitive or the excepted service, your agency can simply move you into Schedule F–after which you lose your civil service job protections and can be fired at will. You would also lose […]