Jody Singer announces retirement from NASA
Monday, Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville Director Jody Singer announced her retirement. Joseph Pelfrey will take over as the interim Director of the MSFC while the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) searches for a permanent center director. “From becoming the first female center director at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville to leading her team through the successful Artemis I mission, Jody Singer’s leadership has taken space exploration to new heights,” said U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama). “Jody has been a driving force in putting Alabama at the forefront of launch innovation and human spaceflight advancement, continuing a legacy in Huntsville that spans the globe. Alabama is grateful for her 38 years of service and I wish her the very best in her next chapter.” “I know that Marshall Space Flight Center will be in good hands with Joseph Pelfrey as NASA conducts a search for a new center director, and I look forward to the center’s continued contributions to our space exploration under his leadership,” Tuberville added. “During a trailblazing 38-year career at @NASA, Jody Singer has reached for the stars every single day,” said U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Alabama) on Twitter. “Alabama is grateful for her service to our nation and her leadership at @NASA_Marshall. Please join me in wishing her all the best in her well-deserved retirement!” “Congratulations, Jody, on a 38-year long career dedicated to servant leadership, innovation, and the future of space exploration,” said Congressman Dale Strong on Twitter. “Your legacy at @NASA_Marshall will continue to inspire generations to come!” Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) congratulated Singer on her retirement. “I want to congratulate Jody on her retirement and immense contribution to the State of Alabama,” Ledbetter said on Twitter. “Under her guidance, we’re on the cusp of sending more astronauts to the moon, and we are sincerely thankful for her service to our country and our state.” “I wish Jody well during her retirement. And I know individuals at the beginning of their career at NASA – and members of the Artemis Generation who dream of working here – will be inspired by Jody’s service, knowing their contributions can help return NASA astronauts to the Moon and prepare us for crewed missions to Mars,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “And Joseph Pelfrey is no stranger to Marshall, having joined the center two decades ago as an aerospace engineer. Today, he helps guide Marshall’s broad portfolio of human spaceflight, science, and technology development, which supports missions across NASA. We are confident Joseph is prepared to guide Marshall through this transition.” Singer has served as Director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center since September 2018. Singer is a native of Hartselle, Alabama native, and a University of Alabama graduate who has worked for NASA for four decades. Singer had been the interim Director of MSFC for three months before her appointment by then NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine as MSFC’s 14th Director and the first woman to ever hold that position. MSFC is one of NASA’s largest field installations, with nearly 7,000 on- and near-site civil service contractor employees and an annual budget of approximately $4.5 billion. Before being named the interim Director, she served as deputy director since February 2016, assisting former Director Todd May with the daily management of the center’s workforce operations. Singer first went to work for NASA in 1985 as an intern. Over her career, she has worked in the Space Shuttle program, the canceled Ares program, and the Space Launch System, which will return man to the moon for the first time in over 50 years. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Huntsville’s Mark McDaniel appointed to NASA Advisory Committee
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine announced the appointment of Huntsville’s Mark McDaniel to the Human Exploration and Operations Committee of the NASA Advisory Council (“NAC”) — NASA’s highest civilian advisory board. Bridenstine tweeted the appointment on Wednesday while visiting the Rocket City. “I’m proud to announce the appointment of Mr. Mark McDaniel to the Human Exploration and Operations subcommittee of the NASA Advisory Council (NAC). His legal and space expertise will serve our agency well,” he wrote. I’m proud to announce the appointment of Mr. Mark McDaniel to the Human Exploration and Operations subcommittee of the NASA Advisory Council (NAC). His legal and space expertise will serve our agency well. pic.twitter.com/hxOxpal3Mg — Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) August 15, 2018 Alabama 5th District U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks recommended McDaniel to Bridenstine, a personal friend and former House colleague of Brooks, to be a part of NAC. Brooks praised the appointment saying, “Mark McDaniel’s experience and qualifications make him an excellent choice to advise NASA on its future missions. I congratulate Mark on his appointment and have confidence he will be a productive and constructive member of the committee.” “I greatly appreciate my friend NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine for his thoughtful consideration in appointing Mark McDaniel. Jim’s leadership at NASA has been exemplary, and I am glad he took time out of his busy schedule to announce Mark McDaniel’s appointment in Huntsville,” Brooks continued. McDaniel said he is honored by Brooks’ recommendation. “It is a great honor for Congressman Brooks to have recommended me for the Human Exploration and Operations Committee of the NASA Advisory Council, and I look forward to serving NASA in this important position,” said McDaniel. “I have been friends with Mo for many years, and I have always admired him for his integrity and courage, and especially for what he does for NASA and national defense.” McDaniel, no stranger to NASA Previously, NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin appointed McDaniel to the NASA Advisory Council in October 2000 and NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe reappointed McDaniel to the Council in November 2002 and November 2004. During McDaniel’s tenure on the NAC, President George W. Bush announced the Moon, Mars, and Beyond Initiative which set the Nation on a more aggressive pace for Space Exploration. On January 26, 2007, McDaniel received the NASA Public Service Medal for his “Leadership and Council to America’s Space Agency, his advocacy of Human Space Flight and Exploration and dedication to the Aerospace Community at large.”
Donald Trump announces plans for Pentagon to create ‘Space Force’
Vowing to reclaim U.S. leadership in space, President Donald Trump announced Monday he is directing the Pentagon to create a new “Space Force” as an independent service branch aimed at ensuring American supremacy in space. Trump envisioned a bright future for the U.S. space program, pledging to revive the country’s flagging efforts, return to the moon and eventually send a manned mission that would reach Mars. The president framed space as a national security issue, saying he does not want “China and Russia and other countries leading us.” “My administration is reclaiming America’s heritage as the world’s greatest spacefaring nation,” Trump said in the East Room, joined by members of his space council. “The essence of the American character is to explore new horizons and to tame new frontiers.” Trump had previously suggested the possibility of creating a space unit that would include portions equivalent to parts of the Air Force, Army and Navy. But his directive will task the Defense Department to begin the process of establishing the ‘Space Force’ as the sixth branch of the U.S. armed forces. He said the new branch’s creation will be overseen by Gen. Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “When it comes to defending America, it is not enough to merely have an American presence in space. We must have American dominance in space,” Trump said. He added: “We are going to have the Air Force and we are going to have the Space Force, separate but equal.” The president also used the White House event to establish a new policy for reducing satellite clutter in space. The policy calls for providing a safe and secure environment up in orbit, as satellite traffic increases. It also sets up new guidelines for satellite design and operation, to avoid collisions and spacecraft breakups. Trump was joined by Vice President Mike Pence, who leads the recently revived space council, and several Cabinet members, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, retired astronauts and scientists. The council’s executive secretary, Scott Pace, told reporters before the meeting that space is becoming increasingly congested and current guidelines are inadequate to address the challenge. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
