NASA science administrator Ed Weiler retires

Ed Weiler, who has worked almost 33 years as a leader in NASA's science exploration programs, will retire from the agency effective Sept. 30.

Weiler most recently served as the associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate at agency Headquarters in Washington, directing a variety of research and science programs in Earth science, heliophysics, planetary science and astrophysics. Chuck Gay, the directorate's deputy associate administrator, will become the acting associate administrator until a permanent replacement is announced.

"Ed leaves an enduring legacy of pride and success that forever will remain a part of NASA's science history," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. "His leadership helped inspire the public with each new scientific discovery, and enabled NASA to move forward with new capabilities to continue to explore our solar system and beyond."

Weiler's career at NASA included stints as chief scientist for the Hubble Space Telescope from 1979 to 1998; associate administrator for the agency's Space Science Enterprise from 1998 to 2004; and director of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., from 2004 to 2008. He has led the Science Mission Directorate since May 2008.

The successes under Weiler's leadership include NASA's great observatory missions, unprecedented advances in Earth science and extensive exploration of Mars and other planets in our solar system. These advances have rewritten science textbooks and earned enormous support for NASA's science programs from the general public.