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Planetary News: Hubble Space Telescope (2005)Michael D. Griffin Confirmed as New NASA AdministratorReport from Capitol Hill After one day of hearings, the Senate voted late on Wednesday, April 13, to confirm Michael D. Griffin as the new NASA Administrator. A swearing-in ceremony will take place in the coming days. In taking on his new responsibilities Dr. Griffin is leaving his current position as head of the Space Department at the Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory. He is succeeding Sean O'Keefe, who has served as NASA Administrator since 2001. Dr. Griffin is a longtime friend of The Planetary Society, and the co-author of a Society-sponsored report on Extending Human Presence into the Solar System. Lori Garver, the Society's Washington representative, attended the confirmation hearings and submitted the following report. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation heard testimony for the Administration's nominee to serve as the next NASA Administrator, Dr. Michael Griffin on Tuesday, April 12.. While Dr. Griffin's technical skills are well known in the space community, it was his savvy political skills that were on display at the hearing. Senator after Senator, on both sides of the aisle praised his nomination and pledged their support. Senator Sarbanes opened by saying "this is an outstanding nomination." Senator Mikulski added: "Dr. Griffin is an outstanding candidate. He is a rocket scientist, thank God. Finally, we have someone who understands." It was widely known that Senator Mikulski did not have such positive feelings toward the last NASA Administrator, Sean O'Keefe. While each Senator praised Griffin's nomination, each also stayed focus on the various topics of unique and local interest to them. Senator Hutchison, (R-TX) the Chair of the new Science and Space Subcommittee noted, "I am pleased to have Griffin's expertise at the time that NASA is working on Return to Flight. I would like to try and get his confirmation out of the Senate this week. Having Griffin on board by Monday would help accomplish Return to Flight." Senator Nelson (D-FL) stated his great concern for the proposed "gap" between the planned Shuttle retirement in 2010 and the CEV operations in 2014. Senator Allen (R-VA) expressed his concern with the Administration's proposed cuts to the aeronautics budget and Senator Inouye asked Dr. Griffin to please "fix the Hubble". Dr. Griffin's testimony and responses to questions addressed each issue. Noteworthy in the testimony was Mike's plan to accelerate the CEV development so there is no gap in U.S. Human access to space. In regard to this issue, Mike said, "That is too far out. The President said 'no later than 2014'. He did not say that we could not be smart and do it earlier. The U.S. developed Gemini - from award to first flight - in 38 months. Even the Apollo spacecraft - a more challenging vehicle whose development was interrupted by a tragedy - happened in 6 years. It seems unacceptable to me to take between 2005 - 2014 to do the same thing when we already know how." This response was well received by Senators with concerns on the issue. You could almost hear the sigh of relief in the hearing room when Dr. Griffin noted that he planned to reassess the planned cancellation of the Shuttle servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. Griffin said he wanted to take the robotic servicing of Hubble "off the table", but said he will reassess a Shuttle servicing mission after the Space Shuttle returns to flight. Mike stated, "With regard to the value of Hubble, the shortest way to say this is that the Hubble, almost by itself, is the instrument that allowed us as a race of people to understand that it is true that we know nothing about 95% of the Universe." The only noted disagreement came when Senator Allen pushed Griffin on the cuts in aeronautics R&D. Griffin said he "did not understand the rationale" for these cuts and would get back to Allen on the topic. He also noted that he is the "Administration's nominee". Later, while Senator Stevens and others were attempting to fast-track the vote on Griffin's nomination, Senator Allen attempted to stall the vote until some of his questions were answered on those aeronautics cuts. By Wednesday, April 13, all questions had been answered and it is expected that the vote will take place by the end of the week, so that Dr. Griffin can be sworn in as the 12th NASA Administrator on Monday, April 18. Members of the Planetary Society may recognize Dr. Griffin as the co-author on it's recent study: Extending Human Presence into the Solar System; An Strategy for the Proposed U.S. Space Exploration Policy. Dr. Griffin has dedicated his career to the space program and we look forward to working with him as we continue to explore our Universe. Lori Garver is an aerospace consultant in Washington, D.C. Until January, 2001 Ms. Garver was the Associate Administrator for Policy and Plans at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), where she oversaw the analysis, development, and integration of NASA policies and long-range plans, the NASA Strategic Management System, the NASA Advisory Council, and History Division. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Garver served as a Senior Policy Analyst for the Office of Policy and Plans and as Special Assistant to the NASA Administrator. Before joining NASA, Ms. Garver was Executive Director of the National Space Society, a space advocacy organization dedicated to the creation of a spacefaring civilization. In her position she served as the organizations' primary spokesperson, appearing on national television and regularly testifying on Capitol Hill. Ms. Garver began her career in Washington, D.C. working for Senator John Glenn from 1983-1984. She is a recipient of both the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal as well as the National Space Society's Space Pioneer Award. Ms. Garver received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Colorado College in 2000. She holds a Masters degree in Science, Technology and Public Policy from the George Washington University and her Bachelors degree in Political Science and Economics from Colorado College. |
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