Bill Nye and space advocates are urging Congress to reject proposed NASA budget cuts that threaten to end current and future space missions, emphasizing the importance of continued investment in space science to maintain the US's leadership and competitiveness in space exploration.
NASA's Science Mission Directorate will hold a virtual community meeting on June 12, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time, featuring discussions on the agency's budget and science initiatives, with opportunities for public questions via WebEx and YouTube livestream.
Mary Cleave, a retired NASA astronaut and scientist, has passed away at the age of 76. Cleave was the first woman to serve as an associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate and had a distinguished career in space exploration. She participated in two spaceflights, deploying communication satellites, conducting spacewalks, and deploying the Magellan Venus exploration spacecraft. Cleave's contributions to NASA and her passion for science and exploration will be remembered.
NASA has appointed Nicola Fox as the new associate administrator for its Science Mission Directorate, responsible for overseeing more than 100 missions and projects. Fox previously headed up NASA's Heliophysics Division, where she oversaw the Parker Solar Probe mission. She is the second woman to hold the position on a non-interim basis. Fox will be responsible for managing the Science Mission Directorate's $7 billion portfolio of projects, including investigations into hurricanes, alien life, and supporting future astronauts on the moon. She will also ensure that NASA fosters an inclusive atmosphere for a diverse team of scientists and engineers.