Acting Administrator Janet Petro NASA Update
NASA
On Wednesday morning, Jared Isaacman, President Trump’s nominee to serve as the next NASA Administrator, participated in his confirmation hearing. It was energizing to hear the views on our mission and priorities. The next step in the process is a committee vote to advance the nomination to the full Senate, though a date for that vote has not yet been scheduled. I’ll be sure to keep you updated as we learn more.
As we look ahead to new leadership, we continue to deliver on our mission. This week brought several milestones that reflect the dedication, skill, and ingenuity of our team across the agency:
- Jonny Kim arrived at the International Space Station on Monday following his launch aboard a Soyuz rocket. This is his first spaceflight, and during his eight-month stay aboard the station, he’ll contribute to critical research spanning technology development, Earth science, biology, human research, and more. It’s another powerful example of how human spaceflight continues to advance science for the benefit of all.
- In Dhaka, Bangladesh, we welcomed a new signatory to the Artemis Accords. Bangladesh became the 54th nation to commit to the peaceful, safe, and responsible exploration of space. It’s a milestone that reflects our shared values and growing global momentum. We look forward to collaborating, learning from one another, and seeing how Bangladesh’s incredible talent and vision contribute to humanity’s next great chapter in space.
- At Kennedy Space Center, we made more progress toward next year’s Artemis II launch. This week, crews lifted the launch vehicle stage adapter into position atop the SLS (Space Launch System) core stage. The adapter will connect SLS to the interim cryogenic propulsion stage, which is being readied to move to the Vehicle Assembly Building next week.
- NASA Aeronautics engineers began a flight test campaign focused on safely integrating air taxis into the national airspace. Using a Joby Aviation demonstrator aircraft, engineers are helping standardize flight test maneuvers, improving tools to assist with collision avoidance and landing operations, and ensuring safe and efficient air taxi operations in various weather conditions. It’s a look at how our research today is shaping the transportation of tomorrow.
- In our Space Technology portfolio, we are supporting the flight testing of a fourth entry, descent, and landing technology in just three months. The recent tests aboard a suborbital rocket system, airplane, helicopter, and rocket-powered lander testbed demonstrate the regular cadence and variety of vehicles researchers can take advantage of to rapidly advance critical systems for the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
- And in response to severe weather that impacted more than 10 states earlier this month, our NASA Disasters Response Coordination System was activated to support national partners. We’re working closely with the National Weather Service and FEMA covering the central and southeastern U.S. to provide satellite data and expertise that help communities better prepare, respond, and recover.
Alongside these accomplishments, I also had the opportunity to participate in the 4oth Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. While there, I met with over a dozen of our international partners and heard directly from industry leaders on two key areas shaping our future – space communications and commercial destinations in low Earth orbit. The conversations throughout the week were thoughtful, engaging, and incredibly valuable. We’re continuing our internal work on the next submission for President Trump’s Workforce Optimization Initiative. Leaders across the agency are actively reviewing and refining proposals to help streamline our operations, reduce duplicative reporting and analysis, and increase the speed and clarity of our decision-making.
This effort also includes thoughtful analysis in response to U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s guidance on relocating certain functions currently based in the National Capital Region. As part of that, we’re exploring what a future NASA Headquarters could look like. Our focus right now is on developing options that align with the Trump Administration’s guidance – but more importantly, support our people and strengthen our ability to deliver on the mission.
We are navigating an important moment for NASA – one that calls on all of us to stay focused, flexible, and committed to the values that make this agency great. Thank you for everything you do to help move the mission forward.
Embrace the Challenge,
Janet