With the conclusion of the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump has been reelected, marking a potential shift in space policy that calls for a renewed approach. An essential first step for Trump’s administration would be the swift nomination of a new NASA administrator.
During the Biden administration, Bill Nelson was confirmed by May 2021, while Jim Bridenstine faced delays with his nomination and confirmation, stretching from September 2017 to April 2018. Given NASA’s current challenges, a quick appointment of an administrator is necessary to ensure pressing issues are addressed promptly.
With Trump’s reelection, a renewed focus on NASA leadership and efficiency takes center stage
The ideal candidate for NASA’s new leadership should possess strong political acumen, though not necessarily hold a political background like the recent administrators. Business experience would be valuable due to NASA’s growing partnership with the commercial space sector, and familiarity with space policy would be advantageous, though a technical background is not essential.
The incoming administrator would need to evaluate NASA’s operational processes, especially regarding the tendency for major projects to exceed timelines and budgets. Examples of these delayed projects include the International Space Station, James Webb Space Telescope, Mars Sample Return mission, and the VIPER rover. A proposed Government Efficiency Commission, potentially headed by Elon Musk, could assist in improving NASA’s project management and cost efficiency.
Addressing the Artemis program, aimed at returning astronauts to the moon and Mars, will be crucial. Although Artemis II and III missions are targeted for 2025 and 2026, these timelines remain uncertain.
NASA recently uncovered the cause of the Orion heat shield erosion seen during Artemis I but has not disclosed specifics, which raises concerns about transparency. The new administrator should adopt a more open approach when communicating such issues to the public.
With SpaceX’s successful recovery of the Super Heavy, optimism grows around using Starship as the Artemis lunar lander. SpaceX is set to begin testing in-orbit refueling for Starship by March 2025, a pivotal milestone for deep space capabilities, with testing expected to wrap up by summer of that year.
The uncrewed Starship lunar lander must successfully land on the moon before NASA permits astronauts on board. As noted by Ars Technica, a more achievable timeframe for human lunar landings might be late 2028.
However, regulatory hurdles imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have introduced delays in Starship’s testing, posing a potential threat to Artemis’s progress. Accelerating regulatory processes will be necessary, especially as China develops its own Starship-like vehicle, creating the risk of China beating NASA to the lunar surface due to bureaucratic delays.
Reconsidering the structure of the Artemis program, perhaps shifting away from the Space Launch System (SLS) in favor of commercial options like Starship, might be a beneficial adjustment.
NASA’s Commercial Crew program also faces challenges. While SpaceX’s Crew Dragon has successfully carried astronauts to the International Space Station and completed private missions, Boeing’s Starliner has struggled.
If Boeing decides to sell its space division, perhaps Blue Origin could step in and revitalize Starliner as a viable Crew Dragon alternative. NASA might also explore other options, such as a crewed version of Dream Chaser, ensuring at least two reliable methods for transporting astronauts to and from low Earth orbit.
Another priority is the future of VIPER, the lunar rover designed to search for water on the moon. NASA has delayed its decision on VIPER’s fate until “early next year,” leaving the project in limbo. Whether NASA chooses to seek private partnership or secure additional Congressional funding, the presence of water is essential for sustained lunar exploration, making VIPER’s success a critical goal.
