List of Administrators of NASA

NASA managers are the top officials at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the United States’ premier space agency. The role involves leading NASA’s vision, defining strategic priorities and being a key figure in shaping U.S. space policy. Administrators are also supported by deputy administrators to effectively execute NASA’s mission.

Who has been serving as the current leader of NASA’s acting administrators?

Source: Boston University

  • Janet Petro serves as NASA’s acting administrator as of January 20, 2025, marking a new chapter in the agency’s leadership.
  • She takes over the position from Bill Nelson, who will serve until May 2024. In particular, entrepreneur and commercial astronaut Jared Isaacman has been nominated as the next NASA administrator, pending confirmation by the Senate.

What is the designation and role of the NASA Administrator?

The NASA Administrator is appointed by the President of the United States with Senate approval and serves at the President’s discretion.

This position requires visionary leadership including:

  • Define NASA’s goals and policies.
  • Oversee programmatic and budgetary priorities.
  • Evaluate the overall performance of the organization.

What is the historical background of NASA management?

  • The role of NASA administrators dates back to the agency’s founding in 1958.
  • The first person to hold the office was Dr. T. Keith Glennan, who unified the various space research programs into a cohesive agency.
  • Among notable managers, Daniel Goldin pioneered the “faster, cheaper” approach during his nearly 10-year tenure, while James C. Fletcher uniquely He served for two non-consecutive terms, including after the Challenger disaster.

What is NASA’s vision for the future?

  • Under Janet Petro’s acting leadership, NASA continues its commitment to innovation, exploration and collaboration.
  • Key focus areas include deep space missions, advancements in Earth sciences and building partnerships with private space companies.

Administrator list and proxy administrators

No.

Name

Take office

left office

presidential service

1

T. Keith Grennan

August 19, 1958

January 20, 1961

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Hugh Dryden

January 11, 1961

February 14, 1961

john kennedy

2

James E.Webb

February 14, 1961

October 7, 1968

Lyndon B. Johnson

3

Thomas O. Paine

October 8, 1968

March 21, 1969

Richard Nixon

George Low

September 16, 1970

April 26, 1971

4

James C. Fletcher

April 27, 1971

May 1, 1977

Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter

Alan M. Lovelace

May 2, 1977

June 20, 1977

5

Robert A. Frosch

June 21, 1977

January 20, 1981

Alan M. Lovelace

January 21, 1981

July 10, 1981

Ronald Reagan

6

James M. Beggs

July 10, 1981

December 4, 1985

William Graham

December 4, 1985

May 11, 1986

7

James C. Fletcher

May 12, 1986

April 8, 1989

George HW Bush

Dale D. Myers

April 8, 1989

May 13, 1989

8

Richard H. real

May 14, 1989

March 31, 1992

9

Daniel Gold

April 1, 1992

November 17, 2001

Bill Clinton, George W. Bush

Daniel

mooreville

November 19, 2001

December 21, 2001

George W. Bush

10

Sean O’Keefe

December 21, 2001

February 11, 2005

Frederick D. Gregory

February 11, 2005

April 14, 2005

11

Michael D. Griffin

April 14, 2005

January 20, 2009

Christopher Scoles

January 20, 2009

July 17, 2009

barack obama

12

Charles Bolden

July 17, 2009

January 20, 2017

Robert M. Lightfoot Jr.

January 20, 2017

April 23, 2018

Donald Trump

13

Jim Bridenstine

April 23, 2018

January 20, 2021

Steve Jurczyk

January 20, 2021

May 3, 2021

Joe Biden

14

bill nelson

May 3, 2021

January 20, 2025

Janet Petro

January 20, 2025

Incumbent

Donald Trump

Jared Isaacman

Nominator