NASA's Leadership Position Is Empty, Trump's Government Makes Confusing Statements

Jenot Petro will be selected as NASA's interim leader (photo: dock. NASA)

JAKARTA The administration of Donald Trump begins with an ambitious mission, namely the first human shipment to the Moon. However, before the plan is discussed, Trump needs to tidy up NASA's structure.

Currently, the space agency is being confused about who will lead. The reason is, Bill Nelson has resigned from the position of NASA administrator, as well as Pam Melroy who occupies the position of deputy administrator.

Both withdrew at the end of Joe Biden's administration. Currently, NASA's leadership website only lists the name Jim Free as the administrator's executor. Free will lead NASA for a while until the new administrator has been confirmed.

The selection of the latest administrators usually takes quite a long time. Temporary officials will lead several months, even up to one year, until the White House nominates the latest administrator candidates.

However, the position of the administrator's executor is a bit confusing. On NASA's website, it was noted that Free would fill the position, but a White House statement gave a different name. The government stated that Janet Petro, NASA's Director of the Kennedy Space Center, would fill the position.

It's not clear why this statement is different. Most likely, the government does want to replace the party occupying NASA's interim leader position. The space agency, according to Spacenews, has not confirmed the situation.

The White House nominated Jared Isaacman on January 20 to fill NASA's administrator position. On December 4, Trump had said that he would nominate Isaacman. If agreed, the billionaire would lead NASA.