Democrat Thomas O. Paine, acting administrator under Democrat Lyndon B.
Johnson, stayed on while Republican Richard Nixon tried but
failed to get one of his own choices to accept the job. Paine was confirmed by the Senate in March 1969 and served through September 1970.[22]
Republican James C. Fletcher, appointed by Nixon and confirmed in April 1971, stayed through May 1977 into the term of Democrat Jimmy
Carter.
Daniel Goldin was appointed by Republican George H. W. Bush and stayed through the entire administration of Democrat Bill Clinton.
Robert M. Lightfoot, Jr., associate administrator under Democrat Barack Obama, was kept on as acting administrator by Republican Donald
Trump until Trump's own choice Jim Bridenstine, was confirmed in April 2018.[23]
The first administrator was Dr. T. Keith Glennan appointed by Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower. During his term he brought together the
disparate projects in American space development research.[24]
The second administrator, James E. Webb (1961–1968), appointed by President John F. Kennedy, was a Democrat who first publicly served under
President Harry S. Truman. In order to implement the Apollo program to achieve Kennedy's Moon landing goal by the end of the 1960s, Webb directed
major management restructuring and facility expansion, establishing the Houston Manned Spacecraft (Johnson) Center and the Florida Launch
Operations (Kennedy) Center. Capitalizing on Kennedy's legacy, President Lyndon Johnson kept continuity with the Apollo program by keeping Webb
on when he succeeded Kennedy in November 1963. But Webb resigned in October 1968 before Apollo achieved its goal, and Republican
President Richard M. Nixon replaced Webb with Republican Thomas O. Paine.
Organizational structure of NASA (2015)
James Fletcher was responsible for early planning of the Space Shuttle program during his first term as administrator under President Nixon. He was
appointed for a second term as administrator from May 1986 through April 1989 by President Ronald Reagan to help the agency recover from
the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
Former astronaut Charles Bolden served as NASA's twelfth administrator from July 2009 to January 20, 2017.[25] Bolden is one of three former
astronauts who became NASA administrators, along with Richard H. Truly (served 1989–1992) and Frederick D. Gregory (acting, 2005).
The agency's administration is located at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC and provides overall guidance and direction.[26] Except under
exceptional circumstances, NASA civil service employees are required to be citizens of the United States.[27]
Space flight programs
Democrat Thomas O. Paine, acting administrator under Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson, stayed on while Republican Richard Nixon tried but
failed to get one of his own choices to accept the job. Paine was confirmed by the Senate in March 1969 and served through September 1970.[22]
Republican James C. Fletcher, appointed by Nixon and confirmed in April 1971, stayed through May 1977 into the term of Democrat Jimmy
Carter.
Daniel Goldin was appointed by Republican George H. W. Bush and stayed through the entire administration of Democrat Bill Clinton.
Robert M. Lightfoot, Jr., associate administrator under Democrat Barack Obama, was kept on as acting administrator by Republican Donald
Trump until Trump's own choice Jim Bridenstine, was confirmed in April 2018.[23]
The first administrator was Dr. T. Keith Glennan appointed by Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower. During his term he brought together the
disparate projects in American space development research.[24]
The second administrator, James E. Webb (1961–1968), appointed by President John F. Kennedy, was a Democrat who first publicly served under
President Harry S. Truman. In order to implement the Apollo program to achieve Kennedy's Moon landing goal by the end of the 1960s, Webb directed
major management restructuring and facility expansion, establishing the Houston Manned Spacecraft (Johnson) Center and the Florida Launch
Operations (Kennedy) Center. Capitalizing on Kennedy's legacy, President Lyndon Johnson kept continuity with the Apollo program by keeping Webb
on when he succeeded Kennedy in November 1963. But Webb resigned in October 1968 before Apollo achieved its goal, and Republican
President Richard M. Nixon replaced Webb with Republican Thomas O. Paine.
Organizational structure of NASA (2015)
James Fletcher was responsible for early planning of the Space Shuttle program during his first term as administrator under President Nixon. He was
appointed for a second term as administrator from May 1986 through April 1989 by President Ronald Reagan to help the agency recover from
the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
Former astronaut Charles Bolden served as NASA's twelfth administrator from July 2009 to January 20, 2017.[25] Bolden is one of three former
astronauts who became NASA administrators, along with Richard H. Truly (served 1989–1992) and Frederick D. Gregory (acting, 2005).
The agency's administration is located at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC and provides overall guidance and direction.[26] Except under
exceptional circumstances, NASA civil service employees are required to be citizens of the United States.[27]
Space flight programs
Democrat Thomas O. Paine, acting administrator under Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson, stayed on while Republican Richard Nixon tried but
failed to get one of his own choices to accept the job. Paine was confirmed by the Senate in March 1969 and served through September 1970.[22]
Republican James C. Fletcher, appointed by Nixon and confirmed in April 1971, stayed through May 1977 into the term of Democrat Jimmy
Carter.
Daniel Goldin was appointed by Republican George H. W. Bush and stayed through the entire administration of Democrat Bill Clinton.
Robert M. Lightfoot, Jr., associate administrator under Democrat Barack Obama, was kept on as acting administrator by Republican Donald
Trump until Trump's own choice Jim Bridenstine, was confirmed in April 2018.[23]
The first administrator was Dr. T. Keith Glennan appointed by Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower. During his term he brought together the
disparate projects in American space development research.[24]
The second administrator, James E. Webb (1961–1968), appointed by President John F. Kennedy, was a Democrat who first publicly served under
President Harry S. Truman. In order to implement the Apollo program to achieve Kennedy's Moon landing goal by the end of the 1960s, Webb directed
major management restructuring and facility expansion, establishing the Houston Manned Spacecraft (Johnson) Center and the Florida Launch
Operations (Kennedy) Center. Capitalizing on Kennedy's legacy, President Lyndon Johnson kept continuity with the Apollo program by keeping Webb
on when he succeeded Kennedy in November 1963. But Webb resigned in October 1968 before Apollo achieved its goal, and Republican
President Richard M. Nixon replaced Webb with Republican Thomas O. Paine.
Organizational structure of NASA (2015)
James Fletcher was responsible for early planning of the Space Shuttle program during his first term as administrator under President Nixon. He was
appointed for a second term as administrator from May 1986 through April 1989 by President Ronald Reagan to help the agency recover from
the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
Former astronaut Charles Bolden served as NASA's twelfth administrator from July 2009 to January 20, 2017.[25] Bolden is one of three former
astronauts who became NASA administrators, along with Richard H. Truly (served 1989–1992) and Frederick D. Gregory (acting, 2005).
The agency's administration is located at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC and provides overall guidance and direction.[26] Except under
exceptional circumstances, NASA civil service employees are required to be citizens of the United States.[27]
Space flight programs
Democrat Thomas O. Paine, acting administrator under Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson, stayed on while Republican Richard Nixon tried but
failed to get one of his own choices to accept the job. Paine was confirmed by the Senate in March 1969 and served through September 1970.[22]
Republican James C. Fletcher, appointed by Nixon and confirmed in April 1971, stayed through May 1977 into the term of Democrat Jimmy
Carter.
Daniel Goldin was appointed by Republican George H. W. Bush and stayed through the entire administration of Democrat Bill Clinton.
Robert M. Lightfoot, Jr., associate administrator under Democrat Barack Obama, was kept on as acting administrator by Republican Donald
Trump until Trump's own choice Jim Bridenstine, was confirmed in April 2018.[23]
The first administrator was Dr. T. Keith Glennan appointed by Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower. During his term he brought together the
disparate projects in American space development research.[24]
The second administrator, James E. Webb (1961–1968), appointed by President John F. Kennedy, was a Democrat who first publicly served under
President Harry S. Truman. In order to implement the Apollo program to achieve Kennedy's Moon landing goal by the end of the 1960s, Webb directed
major management restructuring and facility expansion, establishing the Houston Manned Spacecraft (Johnson) Center and the Florida Launch
Operations (Kennedy) Center. Capitalizing on Kennedy's legacy, President Lyndon Johnson kept continuity with the Apollo program by keeping Webb
on when he succeeded Kennedy in November 1963. But Webb resigned in October 1968 before Apollo achieved its goal, and Republican
President Richard M. Nixon replaced Webb with Republican Thomas O. Paine.
Organizational structure of NASA (2015)
James Fletcher was responsible for early planning of the Space Shuttle program during his first term as administrator under President Nixon. He was
appointed for a second term as administrator from May 1986 through April 1989 by President Ronald Reagan to help the agency recover from
the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
Former astronaut Charles Bolden served as NASA's twelfth administrator from July 2009 to January 20, 2017.[25] Bolden is one of three former
astronauts who became NASA administrators, along with Richard H. Truly (served 1989–1992) and Frederick D. Gregory (acting, 2005).
The agency's administration is located at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC and provides overall guidance and direction.[26] Except under
exceptional circumstances, NASA civil service employees are required to be citizens of the United States.[27]
Space flight programs
Democrat Thomas O. Paine, acting administrator under Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson, stayed on while Republican Richard Nixon tried but
failed to get one of his own choices to accept the job. Paine was confirmed by the Senate in March 1969 and served through September 1970.[22]
Republican James C. Fletcher, appointed by Nixon and confirmed in April 1971, stayed through May 1977 into the term of Democrat Jimmy
Carter.
Daniel Goldin was appointed by Republican George H. W. Bush and stayed through the entire administration of Democrat Bill Clinton.
Robert M. Lightfoot, Jr., associate administrator under Democrat Barack Obama, was kept on as acting administrator by Republican Donald
Trump until Trump's own choice Jim Bridenstine, was confirmed in April 2018.[23]
The first administrator was Dr. T. Keith Glennan appointed by Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower. During his term he brought together the
disparate projects in American space development research.[24]
The second administrator, James E. Webb (1961–1968), appointed by President John F. Kennedy, was a Democrat who first publicly served under
President Harry S. Truman. In order to implement the Apollo program to achieve Kennedy's Moon landing goal by the end of the 1960s, Webb directed
major management restructuring and facility expansion, establishing the Houston Manned Spacecraft (Johnson) Center and the Florida Launch
Operations (Kennedy) Center. Capitalizing on Kennedy's legacy, President Lyndon Johnson kept continuity with the Apollo program by keeping Webb
on when he succeeded Kennedy in November 1963. But Webb resigned in October 1968 before Apollo achieved its goal, and Republican
President Richard M. Nixon replaced Webb with Republican Thomas O. Paine.
Organizational structure of NASA (2015)
James Fletcher was responsible for early planning of the Space Shuttle program during his first term as administrator under President Nixon. He was
appointed for a second term as administrator from May 1986 through April 1989 by President Ronald Reagan to help the agency recover from
the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
Former astronaut Charles Bolden served as NASA's twelfth administrator from July 2009 to January 20, 2017.[25] Bolden is one of three former
astronauts who became NASA administrators, along with Richard H. Truly (served 1989–1992) and Frederick D. Gregory (acting, 2005).
The agency's administration is located at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC and provides overall guidance and direction.[26] Except under
exceptional circumstances, NASA civil service employees are required to be citizens of the United States.[27]
Space flight programs
LIVE 1 P.M. EDT -- Media teleconference on awards for commercial human landers for Artemis Moon missions
NASA at Home for Today
A short documentary about the beginnings of NASA
It is of great urgency and importance to our country both from consideration of our prestige as a nation as well as military necessity that this challenge
[Sputnik] be met by an energetic program of research and development for the conquest of space ... It is accordingly proposed that the scientific
research be the responsibility of a national civilian agency ... NACA is capable, by rapid extension and expansion of its effort, of providing leadership
in space technology.[16]
While this new federal agency would conduct all non-military space activity, the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) was
A's Next Red Planet Rover Mission
#AskNASA: What is Hubble Revealing About the Universe?
A short documentary about the beginnings of NASA
It is of great urgency and importance to our country both from consideration of our prestige as a nation as well as military necessity that this challenge
[Sputnik] be met by an energetic program of research and development for the conquest of space ... It is accordingly proposed that the scientific
research be the responsibility of a national civilian agency ... NACA is capable, by rapid extension and expansion of its effort, of providing leadership
in space technology.[16]
While this new federal agency would conduct all non-military space activity, the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) was
A's Next Red Planet Rover Mission
#AskNASA: What is Hubble Revealing About the Universe?
A short documentary about the beginnings of NASA
It is of great urgency and importance to our country both from consideration of our prestige as a nation as well as military necessity that this challenge
[Sputnik] be met by an energetic program of research and development for the conquest of space ... It is accordingly proposed that the scientific
research be the responsibility of a national civilian agency ... NACA is capable, by rapid extension and expansion of its effort, of providing leadership
in space technology.[16]
While this new federal agency would conduct all non-military space activity, the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) was
A's Next Red Planet Rover Mission
#AskNASA: What is Hubble Revealing About the Universe?
A short documentary about the beginnings of NASA
It is of great urgency and importance to our country both from consideration of our prestige as a nation as well as military necessity that this challenge
[Sputnik] be met by an energetic program of research and development for the conquest of space ... It is accordingly proposed that the scientific
research be the responsibility of a national civilian agency ... NACA is capable, by rapid extension and expansion of its effort, of providing leadership
in space technology.[16]
While this new federal agency would conduct all non-military space activity, the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) was
A's Next Red Planet Rover Mission
#AskNASA: What is Hubble Revealing About the Universe?
(All times EDT)
10 a.m. — On NASA TV, #NASAatHome Spaceport Series, Episode Four: "NASA's New Mars Rover's 20/20 Vision" and
NASA X: "Future Forward"
12 p.m. — Earth Science video demonstration about measuring precipitation in person and virtually
1 p.m. — #NASAatHome Spaceport Series: "Education and Outreach for the NASA SpaceX Demonstration Mission 2"
4 p.m. — Repeat of 10 a.m. NASA TV programming.
"Behind the Spacecraft" video series from NASA 360: "Perseverance — The Next Mars Rover"
All NASA at Home content.
Mars Perseverance Rover
Alabama High School Student Names NASA's Mars Helicopter
NASA Events
Thurs., April 30, 1 p.m. EDT: Announcement of Commercial Human Lander Awards for Artemis Missions
Fri., May 1, 11 a.m. EDT: Pre-Launch Briefings on SpaceX Demo-2 Mission
Mon., May 11, 11:45 a.m.: Coverage of release of the Northrop Grumman Cygnus/NG-13 from the International Space
Station
Wed., May 20, 1:30 p.m. EDT: JAXA HTV-9 Cargo Spacecraft Launch to Space Station
Wed., May 27, 4:32 p.m. EDT: SpaceX Demo-2 Crewed Launch to International Space Station
NASA TV ScheduleLaunches and Landings
Moon to Mars
Thursday, April 30: Announcement of Commercial Human Lander Awards for Artemis Moon Missions
Image of the Day
Mars Helicopter to Fly on NASThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA /ˈnæsə/) is an independent agency of
the United States Federal Government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research.[note 1]
NASA was established in 1958, succeeding the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). The new agency was to have a distinctly civilian
orientation, encouraging peaceful applications in space science.[8][9][10] Since its establishment, most US space exploration efforts have been led by
NASA, including the Apollo Moon landing missions, the Skylab space station, and later the Space Shuttle. NASA is supporting the International Space
Station and is overseeing the development of the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, the Space Launch System and Commercial Crew vehicles. The
agency is also responsible for the Launch Services Program which provides oversight of launch operations and countdown management for uncrewed
NASA launches.
NASA science is focused on better understanding Earth through the Earth Observing System;[11] advancing heliophysics through the efforts of
the Science Mission Directorate's Heliophysics Research Program;[12] exploring bodies throughout the Solar System with advanced robotic
spacecraft missions such as New Horizons;[13] and researching astrophysics topics, such as the Big Bang, through the Great Observatories and
associated programs.[14]
Contents
1Creation
2Leadership
3Space flight programs
o 3.1Crewed programs
3.1.1X-15 rocket plane (1959–1968)
3.1.2Project Mercury (1958–1963)
3.1.3Project Gemini (1961–1966)
3.1.4Apollo program (1961–1972)
3.1.5Skylab (1965–1979)
3.1.6Apollo–Soyuz Test Project (1972–1975)
3.1.7Space Shuttle program (1972–2011)
3.1.8International Space Station (1993–present)
3.1.8.1Commercial programs (2006–present)
3.1.9Constellation program (2005–2009) and Journey To Mars (2010–2017)
3.1.10Artemis program (2017–present)
o 3.2Uncrewed programs
o 3.3Activities (2005–2017)
4NEO detection
5Recent and planned activities
6NASA Advisory Council
7Directives
o 7.1NASA Authorization Act of 2017
o 7.2Space Policy Directive 1
8Research
o 8.1Climate and other research
9Use of the International System of units
10Facilities
11Budget
12Environmental impact
13Gallery
o 13.1Observations
o 13.2Spacecraft
o 13.3Planned spacecraft
o 13.4Concepts
14Examples of missions by target
15See also
16Notes
17References
18External links
o 18.1General
o 18.2Further reading
Creation
Main article: Creation of NASA
Since 1946, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) had been experimenting with rocket planes such as the supersonic Bell X-1.[15] In
the early 1950s, there was a challenge to launch an artificial satellite for the International Geophysical Year (1957–58), resulting in the
American Project Vanguard among others. After the Soviet launch of the world's first artificial satellite (Sputnik 1) on October 4, 1957, the attention of
the United States turned toward its own fledgling space efforts. The US Congress, alarmed by the perceived threat to national security and
technological leadership (known as the "Sputnik crisis"), urged immediate and swift action; President Dwight D. Eisenhower and his advisers
counseled more deliberate measures. On January 12, 1958, NACA organized a "Special Committee on Space Technology", headed by Guyford
Stever.[10] On January 14, 1958, NACA Director Hugh Dryden published "A National Research Program for Space Technology" stating:[16]
A short documentary about the beginnings of NASA
It is of great urgency and importance to our country both from consideration of our prestige as a nation as well as military necessity that this challenge
[Sputnik] be met by an energetic program of research and development for the conquest of space ... It is accordingly proposed that the scientific
research be the responsibility of a national civilian agency ... NACA is capable, by rapid extension and expansion of its effort, of providing leadership
in space technology.[16]
While this new federal agency would conduct all non-military space activity, the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) was
A's Next Red Planet Rover Mission
#AskNASA: What is Hubble Revealing About the Universe?
10 a.m. — On NASA TV, #NASAatHome Spaceport Series, Episode Four: "NASA's New Mars Rover's 20/20 Vision" and
NASA X: "Future Forward"
12 p.m. — Earth Science video demonstration about measuring precipitation in person and virtually
1 p.m. — #NASAatHome Spaceport Series: "Education and Outreach for the NASA SpaceX Demonstration Mission 2"
4 p.m. — Repeat of 10 a.m. NASA TV programming.
"Behind the Spacecraft" video series from NASA 360: "Perseverance — The Next Mars Rover"
All NASA at Home content.
10 a.m. — On NASA TV, #NASAatHome Spaceport Series, Episode Four: "NASA's New Mars Rover's 20/20 Vision" and
NASA X: "Future Forward"
12 p.m. — Earth Science video demonstration about measuring precipitation in person and virtually
1 p.m. — #NASAatHome Spaceport Series: "Education and Outreach for the NASA SpaceX Demonstration Mission 2"
4 p.m. — Repeat of 10 a.m. NASA TV programming.
"Behind the Spacecraft" video series from NASA 360: "Perseverance — The Next Mars Rover"
All NASA at Home content.
10 a.m. — On NASA TV, #NASAatHome Spaceport Series, Episode Four: "NASA's New Mars Rover's 20/20 Vision" and
NASA X: "Future Forward"
12 p.m. — Earth Science video demonstration about measuring precipitation in person and virtually
1 p.m. — #NASAatHome Spaceport Series: "Education and Outreach for the NASA SpaceX Demonstration Mission 2"
4 p.m. — Repeat of 10 a.m. NASA TV programming.
"Behind the Spacecraft" video series from NASA 360: "Perseverance — The Next Mars Rover"
All NASA at Home content.
10 a.m. — On NASA TV, #NASAatHome Spaceport Series, Episode Four: "NASA's New Mars Rover's 20/20 Vision" and
NASA X: "Future Forward"
12 p.m. — Earth Science video demonstration about measuring precipitation in person and virtually
1 p.m. — #NASAatHome Spaceport Series: "Education and Outreach for the NASA SpaceX Demonstration Mission 2"
4 p.m. — Repeat of 10 a.m. NASA TV programming.
"Behind the Spacecraft" video series from NASA 360: "Perseverance — The Next Mars Rover"
All NASA at Home content.
10 a.m. — On NASA TV, #NASAatHome Spaceport Series, Episode Four: "NASA's New Mars Rover's 20/20 Vision" and
NASA X: "Future Forward"
12 p.m. — Earth Science video demonstration about measuring precipitation in person and virtually
1 p.m. — #NASAatHome Spaceport Series: "Education and Outreach for the NASA SpaceX Demonstration Mission 2"
4 p.m. — Repeat of 10 a.m. NASA TV programming.
"Behind the Spacecraft" video series from NASA 360: "Perseverance — The Next Mars Rover"
All NASA at Home content.
Democrat Thomas O. Paine, acting administrator under Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson, stayed on while Republican Richard Nixon tried but
failed to get one of his own choices to accept the job. Paine was confirmed by the Senate in March 1969 and served through September 1970.[22]
Republican James C. Fletcher, appointed by Nixon and confirmed in April 1971, stayed through May 1977 into the term of Democrat Jimmy
Carter.
Daniel Goldin was appointed by Republican George H. W. Bush and stayed through the entire administration of Democrat Bill Clinton.
Robert M. Lightfoot, Jr., associate administrator under Democrat Barack Obama, was kept on as acting administrator by Republican Donald
Trump until Trump's own choice Jim Bridenstine, was confirmed in April 2018.[23]
The first administrator was Dr. T. Keith Glennan appointed by Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower. During his term he brought together the
disparate projects in American space development research.[24]
The second administrator, James E. Webb (1961–1968), appointed by President John F. Kennedy, was a Democrat who first publicly served under
President Harry S. Truman. In order to implement the Apollo program to achieve Kennedy's Moon landing goal by the end of the 1960s, Webb directed
major management restructuring and facility expansion, establishing the Houston Manned Spacecraft (Johnson) Center and the Florida Launch
Operations (Kennedy) Center. Capitalizing on Kennedy's legacy, President Lyndon Johnson kept continuity with the Apollo program by keeping Webb
on when he succeeded Kennedy in November 1963. But Webb resigned in October 1968 before Apollo achieved its goal, and Republican
President Richard M. Nixon replaced Webb with Republican Thomas O. Paine.
Organizational structure of NASA (2015)
James Fletcher was responsible for early planning of the Space Shuttle program during his first term as administrator under President Nixon. He was
appointed for a second term as administrator from May 1986 through April 1989 by President Ronald Reagan to help the agency recover from
the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
Former astronaut Charles Bolden served as NASA's twelfth administrator from July 2009 to January 20, 2017.[25] Bolden is one of three former
astronauts who became NASA administrators, along with Richard H. Truly (served 1989–1992) and Frederick D. Gregory (acting, 2005).
The agency's administration is located at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC and provides overall guidance and direction.[26] Except under
exceptional circumstances, NASA civil service employees are required to be citizens of the United States.[27]
Space flight programs
Democrat Thomas O. Paine, acting administrator under Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson, stayed on while Republican Richard Nixon tried but
failed to get one of his own choices to accept the job. Paine was confirmed by the Senate in March 1969 and served through September 1970.[22]
Republican James C. Fletcher, appointed by Nixon and confirmed in April 1971, stayed through May 1977 into the term of Democrat Jimmy
Carter.
Daniel Goldin was appointed by Republican George H. W. Bush and stayed through the entire administration of Democrat Bill Clinton.
Robert M. Lightfoot, Jr., associate administrator under Democrat Barack Obama, was kept on as acting administrator by Republican Donald
Trump until Trump's own choice Jim Bridenstine, was confirmed in April 2018.[23]
The first administrator was Dr. T. Keith Glennan appointed by Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower. During his term he brought together the
disparate projects in American space development research.[24]
The second administrator, James E. Webb (1961–1968), appointed by President John F. Kennedy, was a Democrat who first publicly served under
President Harry S. Truman. In order to implement the Apollo program to achieve Kennedy's Moon landing goal by the end of the 1960s, Webb directed
major management restructuring and facility expansion, establishing the Houston Manned Spacecraft (Johnson) Center and the Florida Launch
Operations (Kennedy) Center. Capitalizing on Kennedy's legacy, President Lyndon Johnson kept continuity with the Apollo program by keeping Webb
on when he succeeded Kennedy in November 1963. But Webb resigned in October 1968 before Apollo achieved its goal, and Republican
President Richard M. Nixon replaced Webb with Republican Thomas O. Paine.
Organizational structure of NASA (2015)
James Fletcher was responsible for early planning of the Space Shuttle program during his first term as administrator under President Nixon. He was
appointed for a second term as administrator from May 1986 through April 1989 by President Ronald Reagan to help the agency recover from
the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
Former astronaut Charles Bolden served as NASA's twelfth administrator from July 2009 to January 20, 2017.[25] Bolden is one of three former
astronauts who became NASA administrators, along with Richard H. Truly (served 1989–1992) and Frederick D. Gregory (acting, 2005).
The agency's administration is located at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC and provides overall guidance and direction.[26] Except under
exceptional circumstances, NASA civil service employees are required to be citizens of the United States.[27]
Space flight programs
Democrat Thomas O. Paine, acting administrator under Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson, stayed on while Republican Richard Nixon tried but
failed to get one of his own choices to accept the job. Paine was confirmed by the Senate in March 1969 and served through September 1970.[22]
Republican James C. Fletcher, appointed by Nixon and confirmed in April 1971, stayed through May 1977 into the term of Democrat Jimmy
Carter.
Daniel Goldin was appointed by Republican George H. W. Bush and stayed through the entire administration of Democrat Bill Clinton.
Robert M. Lightfoot, Jr., associate administrator under Democrat Barack Obama, was kept on as acting administrator by Republican Donald
Trump until Trump's own choice Jim Bridenstine, was confirmed in April 2018.[23]
The first administrator was Dr. T. Keith Glennan appointed by Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower. During his term he brought together the
disparate projects in American space development research.[24]
The second administrator, James E. Webb (1961–1968), appointed by President John F. Kennedy, was a Democrat who first publicly served under
President Harry S. Truman. In order to implement the Apollo program to achieve Kennedy's Moon landing goal by the end of the 1960s, Webb directed
major management restructuring and facility expansion, establishing the Houston Manned Spacecraft (Johnson) Center and the Florida Launch
Operations (Kennedy) Center. Capitalizing on Kennedy's legacy, President Lyndon Johnson kept continuity with the Apollo program by keeping Webb
on when he succeeded Kennedy in November 1963. But Webb resigned in October 1968 before Apollo achieved its goal, and Republican
President Richard M. Nixon replaced Webb with Republican Thomas O. Paine.
Organizational structure of NASA (2015)
James Fletcher was responsible for early planning of the Space Shuttle program during his first term as administrator under President Nixon. He was
appointed for a second term as administrator from May 1986 through April 1989 by President Ronald Reagan to help the agency recover from
the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
Former astronaut Charles Bolden served as NASA's twelfth administrator from July 2009 to January 20, 2017.[25] Bolden is one of three former
astronauts who became NASA administrators, along with Richard H. Truly (served 1989–1992) and Frederick D. Gregory (acting, 2005).
The agency's administration is located at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC and provides overall guidance and direction.[26] Except under
exceptional circumstances, NASA civil service employees are required to be citizens of the United States.[27]
Space flight programs