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Bill Nelson steps down as NASA chief as Trump begins 2nd term
Space.com ^ | Jan 21 2025 | Mike Wall

Posted on 01/23/2025 5:25:06 AM PST by texas booster

Bill Nelson has stepped down as NASA administrator, ending a half-century of public service.

Nelson and NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy left the agency on Monday (Jan. 20), the day that Donald Trump began his second term as president. Trump has appointed Janet Petro, who most recently served as director of Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, as NASA's interim chief.

"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 said in a Monday X post.


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: billnelson; janetpetro; nasa
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Nelson, a member of the Democratic Party, began his U.S. government career in 1972, when he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives. You may like

He won a seat in the U.S. House six years later, representing Florida's 9th congressional district. The district is close to the state's famous Space Coast, which is home to both KSC and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

In January 1986, Nelson flew on the STS-61-C mission of the space shuttle Columbia, becoming the first sitting member of the U.S. House to reach the final frontier. The pilot of that flight was Charlie Bolden, who served as NASA chief during the Obama administration. STS-61-C was also the mission immediately before the STS-51-L flight of the space shuttle Challenger, which ended in tragedy just 73 seconds after liftoff on Jan. 28, 1986.

1 posted on 01/23/2025 5:25:06 AM PST by texas booster
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To: texas booster

Seriously, 53 years as an administrator?

Yes, the position is important, but ... 53 years?


2 posted on 01/23/2025 5:26:16 AM PST by texas booster (Join FreeRepublic's Folding@Home team (Team # 36120) Cure Alzheimer's!)
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To: texas booster

Cumulative years................


3 posted on 01/23/2025 5:30:10 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: texas booster
Bill Nelson has stepped down as NASA administrator

Down from where, the moon?...The ISS?...I don't think so. He's been brushed aside and he'll soon be forgotten. Bon voyage!
4 posted on 01/23/2025 5:32:32 AM PST by equaviator (If 60 is the new 40 then 35 must be the new 15.)
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To: texas booster

He is a democrat who served under Obama and the edict to Islamify NASA, he is unfit to serve.


5 posted on 01/23/2025 5:35:20 AM PST by Skwor
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To: Skwor

“Islamify NASA”

Details, please!


6 posted on 01/23/2025 5:36:29 AM PST by Brian Griffin
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To: equaviator

Who knows, may well have the next generation of space telescopes named after him, like James Webb. What I find odd is Nelson being called a former “astronaut”. I don’t think going up on the space shuttle for a one-time ride qualifies someone for that title IMO.


7 posted on 01/23/2025 5:38:35 AM PST by omni-scientist
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To: Brian Griffin

What a hunk of “dead wood”. Good riddance.


8 posted on 01/23/2025 5:38:35 AM PST by hal ogen (First Amendment or Reeducation Camp?)
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To: equaviator

It was one of those quit before getting fired deals.

This guy is an absolute moron....why nasa took him on is beyond my understanding


9 posted on 01/23/2025 5:39:36 AM PST by V_TWIN (America...so great even the people that hate it refuse to leave!ly)
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To: texas booster

Here is one the left can understand: all this winning is like tantric sex to me. I’m always edging. A Myorkas or Garland indictment may just be the climax!


10 posted on 01/23/2025 5:42:37 AM PST by Kudsman (Hey,, Democrat,,leave them kids alone!)
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To: omni-scientist

I don’t think going up on the space shuttle for a one-time ride qualifies someone for that title IMO.


Actually I think it does.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_astronaut_badges


11 posted on 01/23/2025 5:43:17 AM PST by CIB-173RDABN (I’ll take a wait and see...)
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To: Brian Griffin

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/2250988/nasas-new-mission-building-ties-to-muslim-world/

Let us not forget our recent history. There was never any reason to force a space program to create ties with Muslims, that is a state department function, NOT a space program’s.


12 posted on 01/23/2025 5:44:55 AM PST by Skwor
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To: Skwor

“He is a democrat who served under Obama and the edict to Islamify NASA, he is unfit to serve.”

And that’s why he “stepped down”. He would have been removed if he hadn’t.


13 posted on 01/23/2025 5:48:16 AM PST by brownsfan (It's going to take real, serious, hard times to wake the American public.)
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To: texas booster

Watch that first step Billy.


14 posted on 01/23/2025 5:49:51 AM PST by FlingWingFlyer (The Dark Days are over. We don't want your criminals. Stop sending your scum to America!)
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To: texas booster

He was an astronaut and then a senator. Biden appointed him as NASA head in 2021.


15 posted on 01/23/2025 5:50:40 AM PST by SJSAMPLE
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To: Skwor

I am not sure about the Islam, but his main claim to fame was to make NASA main mission to be the global warming hoax.


16 posted on 01/23/2025 5:52:51 AM PST by AZJeep
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To: texas booster

Please read it again.


17 posted on 01/23/2025 5:53:55 AM PST by laplata (They want each crisis to take the greatest toll possiWe neve hear of gambling paying off $billioble.)
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To: texas booster

No....astronaut....dumbest one before the Kellys!


18 posted on 01/23/2025 5:54:40 AM PST by Ann Archy (Abortion....... The HUMAN Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
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To: brownsfan

Yes, Nelson was a DEI hire with political connections.


19 posted on 01/23/2025 5:55:11 AM PST by laplata (They want each crisis to take the greatest toll possiWe neve hear of gambling paying off $billioble.)
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To: AZJeep

See my post 12 in this thread


20 posted on 01/23/2025 5:55:32 AM PST by Skwor
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