14 DAY TRIAL // Former astronaut and retired United States Marine Corps Major General Charles Boden Jr. was confirmed by the Senate of the US as the new NASA Administrator in mid-July. The new leader was sworn into office on July 17th, and has recently made an hour-long statement from the agency's headquarters, in Washington DC, announcing some changes in the way things would run from that moment on. Unlike his predecessor, Michael Griffin, who resigned earlier this year, Boden announced that more “feeling” would be placed in the agency.
During his speech, the new administrator revealed the fact that the Obama administration and the president himself asked of him to devise cost-effective solutions of reaching the Moon by 2020, in preparation for a mission to Mars by mid-century. “The challenge is to figure out the most efficient and cost-effective path to get there,” Bolden revealed in his address, held the day after NASA commemorated 40 years since the first lunar landing, featuring Astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong. “We are an incredible organization. Raise your head and say you're proud to work for NASA,” he added, quoted by Space.
The new chief also encouraged agency employees to go to their supervisors with any difficulties they had, rather than to the media. He added that the state of affairs within the agency at that moment, where some senior staff members were simply too afraid to take action when presented with innovation, would have to disappear. Furthermore, Bolden encouraged the communication with the press in an authorized manner, which he said was essential to gaining popular support for various endeavors. Over the years, excitement about space exploration has dropped considerably, which is nothing but bad news for the space agency.
Also confirmed by the Senate on July 15th was Deputy NASA Administrator Lori Garver. She is a former NASA Associate Administrator of Policy and Plans, and also an advisor to Democratic politicians on matters related to space policies. “These talented individuals will help put NASA on course to boldly push the boundaries of science, aeronautics and exploration in the 21st century and ensure the long-term vibrancy of America’s space program,” Obama said of the new commanding team at NASA.
“Some of you will be flustered because I'm not very detailed. Lori, thank God, is somewhat more detailed and so you will find that she's organized. I'm not. We make a great team. She knows a lot of policy, I know none. She knows Washington, I know a little,” Bolden explained during the address.