After 15 months, NASA finally has an administrator [Updated]

Enlarge / Oklahoma GOP Congressman Jim Bridenstine is Trump's nominee to become NASA administrator. (credit: Space Foundation)

Thursday update: It took awhile, but after eight months of consideration-and a key flip of Florida Senator Marco Rubio to "yes"-the United States Senate confirmed Jim Bridenstine to be NASA's next administrator on Thursday afternoon. The vote was 50 for, and 49 against, for Bridenstine. Vice President Mike Pence, the head of the National Space Council, was in the Capitol had a tie-breaking vote been necessary.

Like many other nominations from the Trump White House, this vote played out along party lines (Sen. John McCain, of Arizona, was absent). Historically, however, such nominations for NASA administrator have not been partisan affairs. For example, in 2009, the nomination of Charles Bolden as administrator, and Lori Garver, as deputy administrator, was approved with unanimous consent by the Senate. NASA's previous administrator, Mike Griffin, nominated by George W. Bush in 2005, was also unanimously approved.

Immediately after the vote, Bridenstine released the following statement: "It is an honor to be confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as NASA Administrator. I am humbled by this opportunity, and I once again thank President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for their confidence. I look forward to working with the outstanding team at NASA to achieve the President's vision for American leadership in space."

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