Michael D. Griffin nominated as the new administrator of the NASA

Michael D. Griffin nominated as the new administrator of the NASA

The White House announced today that Michael D. Griffin has been nominated to become the new administrator of the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA). He is currently the head of the Johns Hopkins University’s space department. If the Senate of the United States of America confirms the appointment, Griffin would be overseeing the resumption of space shuttle flights in the coming months. The entire Space Shuttle fleet was grounded after the disastrous accident on Feb. 1, 2003, which killed around seven astronauts.

In addition, he would also be handling the final construction of the International Space Station in case he is appointed to the position of the boss at NASA. The news comes as USA President George W. Bush is pressing a plan for more human missions to Moon and Mars. His plans are going to cost around US $10 Billion to the American Government. For starters, the NASA is preparing for the first Space Shuttle flight of Discovery after the Columbia incident.

Good words are dropping in from all around for the man in question. House of Representatives Majority Leader Tom DeLay said in a statement: “Griffin will propel NASA into the next phase of America’s mission in space”. While, the director of George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute John Logsdon said: “He has deep technical skills and experience in managing high-tech products, so he can make important and detailed judgments”.

NASA needs a strong position at its top considering the agency is taking steps to cut costs and streamline its workforce. Griffin would be replacing Sean O’Keefe if selected. Sean O’Keefe left NASA earlier this year to take charge as the chancellor of Louisiana State University.