Who will be the next NASA Administrator (2025)?

[zubenelgenubi]

Donald J Trump is now projected to be the President-elect.

Who will be the next NASA Administrator in the new Trump Administration?

Political Campaigns' Statements on NASA

[dglow]

John Culberson

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Lori Garver?

[zubenelgenubi]

Lori Garver?

Probably not, either way:
The Planetary Society Space in the 2024 elections
A space advocate’s guide to the U.S. presidential election, October 22

Want to learn more about the possible space priorities of a Harris Administration? check out this interview on Planetary Radio: Space Policy Edition with Lori Garver, former NASA Deputy Administrator and Democratic space policy expert.

[NASA political appointee in both the Clinton and Obama Administrations]

But, I'm up for a surprise.

[zubenelgenubi]

Jim Bridenstine part deux?
He is amenable to innovation, he eventually received bipartisan support, and he is the architect of the Artemis Accords.

[hektor]

A republican astronaut ? Eileen Collins ?

[hektor]

Jim Bridenstine part deux?
He is amenable to innovation, he eventually received bipartisan support, and he is the architect of the Artemis Accords.

Has he given any sign he would be interested ? I saw he was heading a MSR panel recently.

Let me recycle this eight-year old article

NASA Administrator Bridenstine? His name’s in the mix for Trump’s space team

[woods170]

A republican astronaut ? Eileen Collins ?

Oh please. Not another astronaut as the Administrator. If there is anything that has been proven beyond any reasonable doubt, it is that astronauts make absolutely lousy NASA administrators. We've had two so far, and both of them absolutely s#cked.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Lori Garver?

Probably not, either way:
The Planetary Society Space in the 2024 elections
A space advocate’s guide to the U.S. presidential election, October 22

Want to learn more about the possible space priorities of a Harris Administration? check out this interview on Planetary Radio: Space Policy Edition with Lori Garver, former NASA Deputy Administrator and Democratic space policy expert.

[NASA political appointee in both the Clinton and Obama Administrations]

But, I'm up for a surprise.

I listed her simply because I remember it was mentioned somewhere before that both the Trump and Harris teams had apparently came into contact with her for the NASA Administrator position.

[yg1968]

I second Jim Bridenstine. Another option would be Thomas Zurbuchen.

I wouldn't be surprised if Greg Autry becomes a NASA political appointee.

I hope that Trump keeps the National Space Council. I don't know how interested JD Vance is in space. Hopefully someone will write more on Vance's views on space.

[JoeWakefield]

Lori Garver?

Probably not, either way:
The Planetary Society Space in the 2024 elections
A space advocate’s guide to the U.S. presidential election, October 22

Want to learn more about the possible space priorities of a Harris Administration? check out this interview on Planetary Radio: Space Policy Edition with Lori Garver, former NASA Deputy Administrator and Democratic space policy expert.

[NASA political appointee in both the Clinton and Obama Administrations]

But, I'm up for a surprise.

I listed her simply because I remember it was mentioned somewhere before that both the Trump and Harris teams had apparently came into contact with her for the NASA Administrator position.

During a talk she gave at the SEDS SpaceVision Conference, she said she was on the shortlist for both camps, but it was unclear if those were speculative shortlists or legit ones.

[freddo411]

I would like to see someone that is not historically tied into the "old space" paradigm.    Some that clearly understands the benefits and promise of new space.

[butters]

He'll strongly value Elon Musk's preferences, and if they can't push their picks through a slim majority in Senate confirmation, he'll use a series of "acting" appointments to bypass Senate confirmation.

I think at the top of the short list will be people we know as enthusiasts but aren't household names. Steve Jurvetson for example.

[Greg Hullender]

Notice how much time Trump spent praising SpaceX in his victory speech last night? I expect Trump will take Elon's advice on NASA above all others. The question to ask is "Whom does Elon want as NASA administrator?"

My guess is it will be someone who'll look for a way to liquidate SLS/Orion and transfer that money to SpaceX to spend on Mars. I think it's real clear that's what Elon wants for his $200-million investment in Trump, and, at this point, I think he's likely to get it.

[jpo234]

I would like to see someone that is not historically tied into the "old space" paradigm.    Some that clearly understands the benefits and promise of new space.

If only there was a (not so) new space CEO close to the President-elect... Can't think of anyone. /s

[Galactic Penguin SST]

He'll strongly value Elon Musk's preferences, and if they can't push their picks through a slim majority in Senate confirmation, he'll use a series of "acting" appointments to bypass Senate confirmation.

I think at the top of the short list will be people we know as enthusiasts but aren't household names. Steve Jurvetson for example.

If one goes over this path of thinking...Jared Issacman seems more of a possible candidate. After all he already has long time experience dealing with the US government and military via his Draken International.

[deltaV]

Another option would be Thomas Zurbuchen.

Zurbuchen apparently grew up in Switzerland and presumably lives there now since he's apparently director of ETH Zurich Space. Trump's politics is usually anti-foreigner so I think Trump appointing Zurbuchen would be unlikely.

[Jeff Lerner]

I’m going with the train of thought that it will be anyone Musk wants….my prediction is that NASA’s Human Spaceflight program will have some major changes with this administration.

[yg1968]

Another option would be Thomas Zurbuchen.

Zurbuchen apparently grew up in Switzerland and presumably lives there now since he's apparently director of ETH Zurich Space. Trump's politics is usually anti-foreigner so I think Trump appointing Zurbuchen would be unlikely.

I don't know for sure but my guess is that Zurbuchen is still a U.S. citizen.

[rsnellenberger]

Anyone have thoughts on either Lueders or Gerstenmaier getting the nod?