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Author
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Topic: Sean Duffy named 'interim' NASA Administrator
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 54902
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-09-2025 08:22 PM
   
From President Donald Trump (on social media): I am pleased to announce that I am directing our great Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, to be Interim Administrator of NASA. Sean is doing a tremendous job in handling our country's transportation affairs, including creating a state-of-the-art air traffic control systems, while at the same time rebuilding our roads and bridges, making them efficient, and beautiful, again. He will be a fantastic leader of the ever more important space agency, even if only for a short period of time. Congratulations, and thank you, Sean! From Duffy (via X): Honored to accept this mission. Time to take over space. Let's launch. |
denali414
Member Posts: 914
From: Raleigh, NC
Registered: Aug 2017
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posted 07-10-2025 09:05 AM
Hiring an ex MTV "Real World" contestant and FOX News host, to run NASA? What could possibly go wrong? This is very insulting to all the qualified candidates and to Janet Petro, who was actually qualified to run NASA. |
ejectr
Member Posts: 2049
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 07-10-2025 09:34 AM
Consider the source. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 54902
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-10-2025 10:42 AM
Statement from Janet Petro: I am honored to have served the President as the acting NASA Administrator for the past 6 months. His decision to appoint Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy as acting Administrator reflects the high priority he places on our agency at this pivotal time. I've had the opportunity to work closely with Secretary Duffy — including during Crew-9's return in the Space Operations Center at NASA Headquarters — and I'm confident in his leadership as we carry forward the President's ambitious agenda. I look forward to supporting a smooth transition and returning home to Kennedy Space Center as Center Director. At home in Florida, I'll continue to work hand-in-hand with Secretary Duffy to propel the President's ambitious goals. As for Duffy's ability to do the job, Eric Berger at Ars Technica says its too soon to know for sure, but he could be a benefit to NASA. ...Trump wanted someone he liked and trusted running NASA. This is probably a benefit for the agency, as it will give NASA a direct line to the president. For example, Duffy can text Trump if NASA needs something or is being treated unfairly during the budgeting process.Petro did not have that kind of political sway, and this is a White House in which access to the president matters a great deal. The agency was in great peril, as there was no one in headquarters who could push back on harmful things being done to NASA or get things done. Duffy will have that kind of pull. But he will also be incredibly busy already with the Department of Transportation. |
issman1
Member Posts: 1179
From: UK
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 07-10-2025 12:25 PM
Musk's bickering with Trump led to this and SpaceX may suffer the consequences as much as Artemis. |
MCroft04
Member Posts: 1883
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 07-10-2025 12:33 PM
Robert, thanks for sharing those perspectives. It's always best to get some hard information before passing judgement. I'm an eternal optimist and hope these views are accurate. |
MartinAir
Member Posts: 457
From:
Registered: Oct 2020
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posted 07-10-2025 06:59 PM
Let's hope Sean Duffy will delegate tasks as efficiently and competently as James Webb did. |
denali414
Member Posts: 914
From: Raleigh, NC
Registered: Aug 2017
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posted 07-11-2025 09:44 AM
Will disagree with Eric Berger, that Duffy will somehow champion for NASA over what Trump wants.I really do hope I am wrong. |
mode1charlie
Member Posts: 1505
From: Honolulu, HI
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 07-11-2025 04:25 PM
I will avoid expressing my real opinion, which is a strong one, and just say that Duffy is completely unqualified and this will not be good for NASA. |
star61
Member Posts: 326
From: Bristol UK
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 07-11-2025 05:42 PM
It's mid 1968. The work up to manned Apollo flights is in full flow. The president names the new NASA administrator... its Jules Bergman.No disrespect to Mr Bergman's memory, but how do you think this would have been received in the astronaut office? Or even in the world at large? |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 5485
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-11-2025 06:08 PM
Sustaining the status quo hasn't quite been mission effective either (its been 20 years since the Constellation program was kicked off and no new US boot prints on the Moon). As long as Duffy can effectively lead the organization, has good people/technical experts to inform his decision making and can retain the confidence of the President, he should make an excellent administrator. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 54902
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-11-2025 07:19 PM
Let's keep in mind that Duffy only the "interim" administrator. He is not (at least as of yet) the President's nominee to lead NASA (who must be confirmed by the Senate) and Trump described Duffy's service as "only for a short period of time."And to be fair to Duffy, he wasn't only a television personality. He was also a district attorney and a congressman who represented Wisconsin from 2011 to 2019. If anything, he has more in common with Jim Bridenstine than he does Bergman. That said, Duffy seemingly showed no interest in NASA's activities while in Congress and, as mentioned, he will not be able to dedicate his full attention to the space agency while still also leading the Department of Transportation. In any case, the White House and Congress seem to be in agreement that they do not want to see China beat the U.S. back to the moon and whatever comes after that will likely fall to whoever is named to be the next administrator. |
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