NASA mission to Obama Presidential Inaugural Parade

William Atkins
Saturday, 17 January 2009 03:27

Science - Space

For additional information about STS-119, the next shuttle mission (besides its mission to Washington, D.C.), and other information about the space shuttle program, go to http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle.

Although NASA astronauts and equipment will appear in the Inaugural Parade for President-elect Obama, there has been some friction between the Obama Transition Team and NASA.

The December 11, 2008 Discover Magazine article “NASA’s Griffin butting heads with Obama?” stated, “Rumors are flying right now that Mike Griffin, NASA’s Administrator, is causing some friction with President-elect Obama’s transition team for the space agency."

Now on January 16, 2009, rumors continue as who could be the new NASA administrator, replacing Griffin.

The SpacePolics.com article “A new name in the NASA administrator hunt” states “Space News reports that a new name has emerged in the NASA administrator sweepstakes: Earth scientist Charles Kennel. Kennel is Distinguished Professor at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, where he also served a term as the institute’s director. He is also chair of the Space Studies Board of the National Academies. He is not a stranger to NASA: he served as associate administrator for Mission to Planet Earth in the mid-90s and also served on the NASA Advisory Council from 1998 to 2006, including a term as chair from 2001 to 2005.”

Space.com also comments on the search for a new NASA chief by the Obama team. Read its article “Earth Scientist Emerges as Possible Replacement for NASA Chief” for more information.

A history of the Presidential Inauguration in the United States appears at: “Unofficial Guide to Presidential Inauguration 2009.”