New NASA Administrator - Jim Bridenstine

jburk · 2017-09-05 23:55:53

Robert Zubrin: New NASA Administrator Appointee “A Good Choice”

Mars Society Founder & President Dr. Robert Zubrin has called for the approval of Congressman Jim Bridenstine (R-OK) as the new NASA administrator.

Bridenstine has focused heavily on space policy during his tenure in Congress, stating “[o]ur very way of life depends on space, the way we communicate, the way we navigate, the way we produce food and energy, the way we conduct banking.” In April 2016 at the 32nd Annual Space Symposium, Bridenstine introduced H.R. 4945, the American Space Renaissance Act, comprehensive reform legislation with provisions affecting national security, civil, and commercial space policy.

In addition, Bridenstine has proposed legislation related to the regulatory process overseeing certain non-traditional space activities, and helped secure funding for the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation. Recognizing his efforts, in 2015 SpaceNews named Bridenstine as one of five game changers in the world in space.

Commenting on the appointment and the controversy it has aroused, Dr. Zubrin said: “The fracas over the Bridenstine nomination for NASA administrator is unfortunate and unnecessary. Bridenstine is actually a rather good choice for NASA administrator. He is not only a Navy reserve pilot, but a long-time strong space advocate who really wants a space program that is going somewhere, which is exactly what NASA needs. His appointment should be welcomed. Readers of my political columns should know that I am anything but inclined to be supportive of Donald Trump, but the only serious ground for criticism of this appointment is that it was long overdue.”

The Bridenstine nomination now goes to Congress for approval. If you wish to have input into the decision, you can reach out to your congressman and Senators through the Capitol Hill switchboard. The number to call is 202-224-3121.

SpaceNut · 2017-09-06 17:07:16

not so sure as this is what he has said about..insert magic Trump words here...

http://nasawatch.com/archives/2017/09/h … limat.html

"BRIDENSTINE: Mr. Speaker, global temperatures stopped rising 10 years ago. Global temperature changes, when they exist, correlate with Sun output and ocean cycles. During the Medieval Warm Period from 800 to 1300 A.D. --long before cars, power plants, or the Industrial Revolution--temperatures were warmer than today. During the Little Ice Age from 1300 to 1900 A.D., temperatures were cooler. Neither of these periods were caused by any human activity. Even climate change alarmists admit that the number of hurricanes hitting the U.S. and the number of tornado touchdowns have been on a slow decline for over 100 years. But here's what we absolutely know. We know that Oklahoma will have tornadoes when the cold jet stream meets the warm gulf air. And we also know that this President spends 30 times as much money on global warming research as he does on weather forecasting and warning. For this gross misallocation, the people of Oklahoma are ready to accept the President's apology, and I intend to submit legislation to fix this."

jburk · 2017-09-06 17:17:14

Yeah and I see people quitting the Mars Society now over Dr. Zubrin's comments. Everybody needs to settle down. In my opinion, he seems like an awesome candidate for NASA administrator, given his actual views on space (not on climate change) and the legislation he proposed last year is widely respected.

SpaceNut · 2017-09-07 16:47:18

Mr. Bridenstine, a strong advocate for drawing private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin more deeply into NASA’s exploration of space, had been rumored to be the leading candidate for the job, but months passed without an announcement.

Bridenstine, a Republican in his third term in the House, has been active on space issues, including introducing last year the American Space Renaissance Act, a bill that included a wide range of national security, civil, and commercial policy provisions. The nomination has strong support from the space industry. Bridenstine, though, has limited technical experience, a cause for some criticism. Florida's two senators, Democrat Bill Nelson and Republican Marco Rubio, said they had concerns about the nomination but stopped short of opposing it. The nomination will require confirmation by the Senate.

http://spacerenaissanceact.com/

Mr. Bridenstine has supported a return to the moon, a departure from the Obama administration’s focus on sending astronauts to Mars in coming decades. Mr. Bridenstine has also expressed support for the Space Launch System, an expensive heavy-lift rocket that NASA is developing, and Orion, a capsule that would eventually take astronauts to deep-space destinations.

Rubio said he and Nelson “share the same concerns” and worry Bridenstine’s “political baggage” would weigh him down in a GOP-led Senate that has grown increasingly resistant to Trump. NASA can’t afford that, Rubio said. “It’s the one federal mission which has largely been free of politics and it’s at a critical juncture in its history,” Rubio said. “I would hate to see an administrator held up -- on [grounds of] partisanship, political arguments, past votes, or statements made in the past -- because the agency can’t afford it and it can’t afford the controversy.”

Noting NASA’s mission to Mars, Rubio said the agency is at critical moment in its history and he would prefer an administrator who has the “respect of the people who work there from a leadership and even a scientific perspective.”

While Mr. Bridenstine has criticized NASA’s spending on global warming science, he has voiced support for some of the agency’s earth observation missions, particularly for studying extreme weather.

EdwardHeisler · 2017-09-30 16:41:26

Does Bridenstine support or oppose the ban on NASA collaborating with China's National Space Administration and space scientists?

I've been unable to find anything on the web concerning his views on this vital issue.

If any member can find information on this matter please post the article and link.

Thank you!

clark · 2017-10-15 03:47:21

Here ya go:
https://www.theepochtimes.com/trumps-na … 91389.html

summary, views china and russia as competitors.

Also relevant, he was part of the subcommittee on strategic forces. He is versed in military needs and posturing for space as it relates to US advesaries. Youc an probably go through and find policy papers or amendments that might shed some light on his overall personal position.

That said, there is nothing currently to indicate that his personal opinion matters here. Space collaboration policy will be determined by the National Space Council (read Pence), DOD, and State department. Watch him to be more of a front man to help use the NASA name to undermine global warming research and policy.

EdwardHeisler · 2017-10-15 08:30:02

Thank you for your research.

He might also hope to cash in big time with military contractors (become a member of their boards) after serving as NASA head for a few years.

Oldfart1939 · 2017-10-31 09:03:04

The Bridenstine nomination is in the Transportation Committee today, and I urge all Mars Society members to call your senators in support of his candidacy. Whatever your political views, having a strong space advocate who supports "going somewhere" is certainly better than the status quo.

jburk · 2017-10-31 09:05:21

Yes, the time is now to express your views to your senators. Nomination hearing is tomorrow in the Commerce committee.

See telecon.marssociety.org for some meetings we did & a powerpoint deck with more info on this, and how to contact your senator.

SpaceNut · 2018-04-19 22:13:13

Finally we have Trump's controversial NASA chief, Jim Bridenstine, narrowly confirmed

Rep. Jim Bridenstine, an Oklahoma Republican, was confirmed Thursday as NASA's 13th administrator after months of partisan wrangling over his lack of experience in the space arena and prior statements questioning human contributions to climate change.
In an extremely close party-line vote, Bridenstine was confirmed 50-49, seven-and-a-half months after President Trump picked him to lead the civilian space agency. It was the most contentious nomination process in recent NASA history with most previous administrators confirmed unanimously or with little opposition.

jburk · 2018-04-19 22:17:03

In case you missed it... here's what Robert wrote today:

Congratulations Jim Bridenstine for your confirmation as NASA Administrator! The Mars Society offers you our full support in any effort you make to give the American people a purpose-driven space program that is really going somewhere. May you succeed in once again making NASA the banner of the pioneer spirit. New worlds are at hand, filled with wonders waiting to be discovered and history waiting to be made. The chains that have held us Earthbound for too long are ready to be broken.
End the stall. Let’s break them all.
Robert Zubrin
President and Founder
The Mars Society

And, here's what I posted to Facebook....

I know some people are angry that a Trump person is now running NASA, or maybe angry that a person who wasn't crisp & real on climate change while he was in congress is now running NASA. But consider this: Bridenstine has a clear track record of promoting the human exploration of the Moon & Mars, and introduced the Space Renaissance Act in congress which is widely considered the most innovative proposed space legislation of our generation. I personally think he will turn out to be an excellent NASA administrator, maybe the best ever, and will help point the US back to human exploration of the solar system in an effective way.

clark · 2018-04-20 00:38:25

He is a sock puppet. Go back to the Space Council for any sense of over arching policy.

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#1 2017-09-05 23:55:53

New NASA Administrator - Jim Bridenstine

#2 2017-09-06 17:07:16

Re: New NASA Administrator - Jim Bridenstine

#3 2017-09-06 17:17:14

Re: New NASA Administrator - Jim Bridenstine

#4 2017-09-07 16:47:18

Re: New NASA Administrator - Jim Bridenstine

#5 2017-09-30 16:41:26

Re: New NASA Administrator - Jim Bridenstine

#6 2017-10-15 03:47:21

Re: New NASA Administrator - Jim Bridenstine

#7 2017-10-15 08:30:02

Re: New NASA Administrator - Jim Bridenstine

#8 2017-10-31 09:03:04

Re: New NASA Administrator - Jim Bridenstine

#9 2017-10-31 09:05:21

Re: New NASA Administrator - Jim Bridenstine

#10 2018-04-19 22:13:13

Re: New NASA Administrator - Jim Bridenstine

#11 2018-04-19 22:17:03

Re: New NASA Administrator - Jim Bridenstine

#12 2018-04-20 00:38:25

Re: New NASA Administrator - Jim Bridenstine

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