posted 11-08-2020 07:45 PM               

"The right question here is 'What's in the best interest of NASA as an agency, and what's in the best interest of America's exploration program?' Bridenstine said on Nov. 8, the day after Democrat Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

"For that, what you need is somebody who has a close relationship with the president of the United States. You need somebody who is trusted by the administration…. including the OMB (Office of Management and Budget), the National Space Council and the National Security Council, and I think that I would not be the right person for that in a new administration," Bridenstine said.

posted 11-10-2020 09:21 AM               

"...and I think that I would not be the right person for that in a new administration," Bridenstine said.

posted 01-19-2021 04:15 PM               

A look back at Administrator Jim Bridenstine's time at NASA and all the incredible things accomplished during his tenure. From introducing the Artemis Generation to renaming NASA headquarters after hidden figure Mary W. Jackson, there have been so many highlights to appreciate.

posted 01-20-2021 11:15 AM               

It has been my great honor to serve as your NASA Administrator. I will miss the amazing NASA family and will forever be grateful for my time at this incredible agency. Ad astra.

posted 01-25-2021 09:59 AM               

NASA Administrator Joins Acorn Growth Companies

Acorn Growth Companies ("Acorn"), a private equity firm investing exclusively in aerospace, defense and intelligence, today announced that Jim Bridenstine, former Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), has joined the company as a dedicated full-time Senior Advisor.

"Jim's wealth of knowledge in the space, military, aerospace and engineering sectors will be invaluable to Acorn and its portfolio companies as we continue our mission to invest in operating companies that strive to enhance global mobility, protect national interests and develop next-generation intelligence capability," said Rick Nagel, Managing Partner of Acorn. "He will play a key role in our efforts to deploy capital from our newest investment vehicle, Acorn Aerospace & Defense Fund V."

"Administrator Bridenstine will be returning to Tulsa, Oklahoma, as we expand our footprint in one of the top seven aerospace regional super-clusters in the world," Nagel said.

Bridenstine resigned his position as the 13th Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) effective Jan. 20, 2021.

"I am excited about joining Acorn Growth Companies and starting a new chapter of service to the United States, while advancing our aerospace and defense industries," said Bridenstine. "I'm looking forward to re-entering the private sector and working with an established market leader such as Acorn."

"Jim's skill set spans all aspects of Acorn's focus. With his knowledge and first-hand experience, Jim will play a key role in enhancing the strategic and business development efforts of Acorn and our portfolio companies by helping qualify opportunities in future investments," Nagel said.

"Innovation is found in small and mid-market companies," said Bridenstine. "I'm excited to join this firm and work with disruptors that provide needed innovation to the aerospace and defense industries," Bridenstine said.

As administrator, Bridenstine has led NASA in advancing America's aeronautics, science and space exploration objectives.

Under Bridenstine's leadership at NASA, America returned to once again launching American astronauts on American rockets from American soil, something not done since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011. He did this while sustaining the commercial resupply of the International Space Station (ISS) and expanding ISS utilization.

Bridenstine launched NASA's new human lunar exploration initiative named Artemis, which seeks to land the first woman and the next man on the Moon for the first time since 1972. This program utilizes the most powerful rocket ever built, the Space Launch System, as well as the Orion Crew Capsule, the Human Lander System and the Gateway. The Gateway is a lunar orbiting space station that will give American astronauts more access to the surface of the Moon than ever before.

Under Bridenstine, NASA also established the Commercial Lunar Payload Services Program to partner with private enterprise in landing rovers on the lunar surface. The rovers will contain tools and science experiments in preparation for the arrival of American astronauts. Bridenstine focused Artemis on proving NASA's technology and perfecting NASA's capabilities to live and work on another world in preparation for a crewed mission to Mars.

Bridenstine also reinforced NASA's development of the X-57 Maxwell, the agency's first all-electric aircraft and the X-59 Low Boom Flight Demonstrator, a quiet supersonic aircraft. He supported NASA's aeronautical innovators in integrating unmanned aircraft systems into the National Airspace System and developing Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) capabilities to help emerging aviation markets create air transportation systems that move people and cargo between underserved locations and areas with a high population density.

The agency's dynamic science portfolio under Bridenstine included the Mars Perseverance Rover, scheduled to land on Mars in February 2021. He also focused on enhancing the nation's fleet of Earth-observing satellites and making final preparations of the James Webb Space Telescope.

Prior to his time at NASA, Bridenstine was elected in 2012 to represent Oklahoma's First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served on the Armed Services Committee and the Science, Space and Technology Committee. His career in federal service began in 1998 as a pilot in the U.S. Navy. He flew E-2C Hawkeyes off various aircraft carriers gathering 1900 flight hours, 333 aircraft carrier landings and dozens of combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. He later transitioned to the F-18 Hornet and flew at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, the parent command to TOPGUN.

After transitioning from active duty to the U.S. Navy Reserve, Bridenstine returned home to Tulsa to serve as the Executive Director of the Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium.

Bridenstine completed a triple major at Rice University and earned his MBA at Cornell University.

About Acorn Growth Companies

Acorn Growth Companies is a middle market private equity firm focused exclusively on Aerospace, Defense and Intelligence. Acorn invests solely in operating companies that strive to enhance global mobility and protect national interests. Acorn has a formidable reputation in the industry and is recognized for its deep understanding of the Aerospace, Defense and Intelligence markets, with proprietary access to the best companies within these sectors. With operational expertise and its ability to lead and manage investments through variable economic and industry cycles, Acorn works in tandem with management to build its portfolio companies into significant market leaders.

posted 04-01-2021 02:54 PM               

Jim Bridenstine, Former NASA Administrator and Former Member of Congress, Joins Viasat's Board of Directors

Viasat Inc., a global communications company, today announced the appointment of Former National Aeronautics and Space Administration ("NASA") Chief and former Oklahoma Congressman James "Jim" Bridenstine to its Board of Directors. Bridenstine will serve as a Class II director, with an initial term expiring at the Company's 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. With the appointment of Bridenstine, the Board now consists of eight members, six of whom are independent directors.

Bridenstine will provide Viasat's Board of Directors with extensive experience in space technology, innovation and safety based on his leadership role at NASA, as well as defense and aerospace expertise based on his public service in the United States Navy and Congress.

Bridenstine joins Viasat's Board as the Company is preparing for the impending launch of its ViaSat-3 network, a global geostationary (GEO) system using three state-of-the-art adaptive beam-forming satellites to safely and securely deliver broadband connectivity around the globe. The ViaSat-3 payload and ground network technology use a new system architecture intended to deliver much more bandwidth, in the highest demand places, than any other broadband space system, in GEO or non-geostationary orbits. The ViaSat-3 architecture is highly-scalable, a critical element in keeping pace with constantly growing per-capita bandwidth demand.

Mark Dankberg, Viasat's co-founder and executive chairman commented, "Jim is a welcome addition to Viasat's Board of Directors. His insight into all aspects of advanced space programs can help ensure Viasat remains at the forefront of space system and network technology globally. And, because of the pivotal role he's played in expanding the U.S. manned space program, Jim is also an ardent proponent of preserving safe access to space via proactive measures to protect the space environment and contain orbital debris."

Bridenstine added, "My professional career reflects both my passion for space and national defense, as well as my intentions to make a meaningful contribution to each of those areas. Joining the Viasat Board of Directors is an opportunity for me to stay at the leading edge of technology, and apply my experience and insights to critical global and national priorities. Viasat's missions, rapid entrepreneurial growth and culture of innovation – sustained over decades – presents a very attractive, mutually-beneficial opportunity to continue to contribute in private industry."

Bridenstine served as NASA's 13th Administrator from April 2018 until January 2021. Under his leadership, NASA launched a new human lunar exploration mission, the Artemis program; continued the commercial re-supply of the International Space Station; led partnering efforts with American commercial enterprises on the Commercial Crew Program, which again launched American astronauts on American rockets from American soil, something not done since the end of the Shuttle program in 2011; helped established the Commercial Lunar Payload Services Program to partner with private enterprise in landing rovers on the lunar surface; backed the development of the X-59, a quiet supersonic aircraft and the X-57 Maxwell, NASA's first all-electric airplane; and supported the development of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management initiatives to facilitate the safe use of drones for commercial use.

Since January 2021, Bridenstine has worked as a senior advisor to Acorn Growth Companies, a private equity firm. Prior, from 2013 to 2018, Bridenstine was a member of Congress where he represented Oklahoma's First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives and served on the Armed Services Committee and the Science, Space and Technology Committee. Bridenstine's career in federal service began in 1998 as a pilot in the United States Navy. Bridenstine earned a B.A. degree with three majors – Economics, Business and Psychology – from Rice University and an M.B.A. degree from Cornell University.