Reported nomination of former Florida senator Bill Nelson
Clarence (Bill) William Nelson OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Obama leader NOAA joins White House Biden on climate | Study: Climate change could lower credit ratings in more than 60 countries | NASA Climate Official Says Agency “Focuses” on Practical Science Applications NASA Climate Official Says Agency “Focuses” on Practical Science Applications Hill’s Report 12:30 – Presented by Facebook – CDC updates guidelines for students (D) Being the next NASA administrator proves, if he does anything, that it is a changing world.
In November 2017, when Nelson was chairman of the Senate Trade Committee, during the confirmation hearings, he followed up on the then representative. Jim Bridenstine
James (Jim) Frederick BridenstineBiden to appoint Bill Nelson to lead NASA: reports Biden administration supports NASA’s Artemis, Space Force Will Biden continue NASA’s Artemis program to return to the moon? MORE (R-Okla.) And he said a politician has no call to become the head of the US space agency. An aerospace profession, ie an engineer, a manager or an astronaut would be the most suitable for the job.
Probably because, despite Nelson’s efforts, Bridenstine won the confirmation anyway and then became the most famous NASA administrator from James Webb, the former Florida senator changed this assessment. A politician, after all, can do a pretty good job directing the American space program. Indeed, on this basis, Bridenstine approved Nelson’s nomination, setting aside obvious personal considerations for what he sees as the good of NASA. However, the issue should come up during Nelson’s confirmation hearings just to see how he responds.
Bridenstine capitalized on her political skills by leading NASA and promoting the Artemis return program. He left partisanship behind and sold the program to members of Congress, foreign leaders, business tycoons and the general public. As a result, when Bridenstine resigned from NASA, the receiving administration approved the Artemis program. He proved that a politician could lead NASA and run it well. People of all political persuasions cried when Bridenstine left for the private sector.
However, the assumption that Nelson is right at work just because he is also a politician becomes questionable when someone examines his file. If Bridenstine could be considered a Jedi Master of space politics, Nelson looks more like a Sith lord.
In addition to Bridenstine’s submission to a Star Chamber for a confirmation hearing, Nelson played politics in a number of other cases for dubious reasons.
When Nelson was still a member of the House, he used his position to get a slot on a space shuttle mission. He had no qualifications other than controlling a lot of NASA funding. The astronauts were so dissatisfied with his presence on the shuttle that they gave him the nickname “ballast”.
Nelson is also one of the fathers of the super-heavy, super-expensive, and long ago space launch system (SLS), which some wags have called the “Senate launch system.” Former NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver described how SLS funding was the price Nelson and others charged for approving the Commercial Crew program in what she called a “Faustian business.” Congress continued to underfund the program to send astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). Despite this, the Crew Dragon is now flying and SLS has not yet managed to get off the ground. Many see SLS as an albatross that prevents Artemis, suggesting that NASA should use commercial launchers to take astronauts to the moon and Mars.
On the other hand, SLS recently passed the hot fire test as the last step of the Green Run. Its engines burned out in eight minutes, the time it must trigger during launch, successfully.
Nelson is almost certain to be confirmed. Many members of the Senate Trade Committee have served with him and most are his friends. Sen. Marco Rubio
Marco Antonio Rubio A new era for the children of America? Biden appoints former Florida Senator Bill Nelson as leader of NASA’s border increase, debating Senate immigration debates (R-Fla.), Who also opposed Bridenstine, approved his old fellow senator. However, hearings should not be a rubber stamp. Nelson should be questioned about his current positions on space policy. E.g:
What are Nelson’s feelings about commercial spaceflight? Do you support obtaining a human landing system that will take Americans to the lunar surface commercially, in the same way as the Commercial Crew program?
Does Nelson support the establishment of a permanent, international monthly base? Does it support a human presence on the moon to conduct scientific exploration and commercial development, as well as to prepare for expeditions to Mars? Does Nelson support the development of lunar resources to support astronauts on the moon and help the Mars program?
What are Nelson’s views on space cooperation with China? One element that could hinder the former senator is his investment in a Chinese telecommunications that the Pentagon has blacklisted.
Nelson has the potential to end his career by promoting the expansion of America and its allies into space. If (when) Nelson is confirmed, he should call on his former antagonist Bridenstine for advice. In this way, Nelson could move away from the dark side and do something good for his country and civilization.
Mark Whittington, who frequently writes about space and politics, has published a political study of space exploration entitled Why Is It So Hard to Return to the Moon? as well as “Moon, Mars and Beyond”. He blogs at Curmudgeons Corner. It is published in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The Hill, USA Today, LA Times and the Washington Post, among other places.