Bill Nelson has stepped down as NASA administrator, marking the end of an illustrious 53-year career in public service. Nelson and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy officially left the agency on Monday, January 20, coinciding with the start of Donald Trump’s second term as president.
Janet Petro, who previously served as director of Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, has been appointed by President Trump as NASA’s acting administrator.
In a farewell message shared on the social media platform X, Nelson expressed his gratitude, writing, “As I leave public office today after 53 years, thank you for the great privilege of a lifetime of serving the people of our country. I am humbled and grateful.”
Nelson, a member of the Democratic Party, began his political career in 1972 when he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives. Six years later, he moved to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Florida’s 9th congressional district, an area closely tied to America’s space exploration efforts due to its proximity to KSC and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
In January 1986, Nelson made history by flying aboard the space shuttle Columbia during mission STS-61-C, becoming the first sitting U.S. House member to travel to space. The mission’s pilot, Charlie Bolden, would later serve as NASA administrator under President Barack Obama.
Nelson’s flight came just days before the Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986, which claimed the lives of seven astronauts and profoundly shaped NASA’s safety protocols and mission planning in the years to come.
Leading NASA Through a New Era
Appointed as NASA administrator in May 2021 by President Joe Biden, Nelson presided over significant milestones, including the Artemis program’s progress toward returning humans to the Moon, the successful deployment of the James Webb Space Telescope, and the growing role of private companies in space exploration.
Nelson’s departure signals a shift in leadership for NASA as Trump begins his second term. Janet Petro, known for her tenure at KSC, brings extensive experience in space operations and management to the interim role. The long-term trajectory of NASA under Trump’s administration remains a key area of focus, particularly regarding Mars exploration, lunar initiatives, and international partnerships.
As Nelson transitions out of public service, his contributions to space exploration and advocacy remain a significant part of his legacy.
The U.S. is set to offer Saudi Arabia a weapons deal worth over $100B during Trump’s visit in May. The package includes advanced systems like drones and C-130 planes, with discussions on F-35 jets. The deal follows Biden’s failed defense pact negotiations.
In an expansive interview marking his first 100 days back in office, President Donald Trump sketched out an agenda that touches everything from punitive tariffs and China policy to cease-fire hopes in Ukraine and an overhaul of domestic programmes. Below are the highlights.
U.S. President Donald Trump told *Time* on Friday that he and China’s Xi Jinping are negotiating a tariff deal and have spoken by phone—an account Beijing continues to challenge.
A top envoy from President Donald Trump’s administration arrived in Moscow for talks with President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, just hours after a high-ranking Russian general was assassinated in a rare car bomb attack in the capital.
The United States is set to host an energy summit in Alaska in early June, where President Donald Trump’s administration hopes Japan and South Korea will commit to the $44 billion Alaska LNG project, a major energy initiative aimed at expanding U.S. gas exports to Asia.
Iran and the U.S. are set for a third round of indirect talks in Muscat, focusing on sanctions relief and guarantees over Iran’s nuclear program.
Donald Trump said talks between his envoy and Vladimir Putin made major progress toward ending the Ukraine war, urging Kyiv and Moscow to meet face-to-face.
Estonia has passed a €2.8 billion defense funding bill, raising military spending to over 5% of GDP amid growing security concerns over Russia.
George Santos, a former U.S. congressman, has been sentenced to over seven years in prison after being convicted of fraud and identity theft.
The World Food Programme has warned that its food supplies in Gaza have run out, leaving hundreds of thousands at risk as charity kitchens face imminent shutdown.
China has rolled out the world’s first 10-gigabit (10G) fixed broadband network in Xiong'an New Area, promising ultra-fast speeds and low latency through cutting-edge optical infrastructure.
The Holy Fire ceremony stands as one of Christianity's most enduring and mysterious rituals, drawing thousands of pilgrims to Jerusalem each year.
Pope Francis's relationship with Azerbaijan has evolved significantly over the years, characterized by diplomatic exchanges, promotion of religious tolerance, and peace advocacy in the Caucasus region.
Russia launched a major missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight on April 24, killing at least twelve people and injuring 90, including children and a pregnant woman, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
China’s pivot away from U.S. liquefied petroleum gas under new tariffs is shaking global energy flows, slashing demand, and fuelling a scramble for alternatives across Asia, with Middle Eastern suppliers and rival buyers seizing the moment.
Iran and the U.S. are set for a third round of indirect talks in Muscat, focusing on sanctions relief and guarantees over Iran’s nuclear program.
Donald Trump said talks between his envoy and Vladimir Putin made major progress toward ending the Ukraine war, urging Kyiv and Moscow to meet face-to-face.
Estonia has passed a €2.8 billion defense funding bill, raising military spending to over 5% of GDP amid growing security concerns over Russia.
George Santos, a former U.S. congressman, has been sentenced to over seven years in prison after being convicted of fraud and identity theft.
The World Food Programme has warned that its food supplies in Gaza have run out, leaving hundreds of thousands at risk as charity kitchens face imminent shutdown.
Iran and the U.S. are set for a third round of indirect talks in Muscat, focusing on sanctions relief and guarantees over Iran’s nuclear program.
Donald Trump said talks between his envoy and Vladimir Putin made major progress toward ending the Ukraine war, urging Kyiv and Moscow to meet face-to-face.
Estonia has passed a €2.8 billion defense funding bill, raising military spending to over 5% of GDP amid growing security concerns over Russia.
George Santos, a former U.S. congressman, has been sentenced to over seven years in prison after being convicted of fraud and identity theft.
The World Food Programme has warned that its food supplies in Gaza have run out, leaving hundreds of thousands at risk as charity kitchens face imminent shutdown.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment