Bill Nelson has officially stepped down as NASA administrator, concluding a notable career in public service that spanned over five decades. His departure coincided with the inauguration of Donald Trump for a second term on January 20, 2021. Alongside Nelson, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy also exited the agency, paving the way for Janet Petro, former director of Kennedy Space Center, to assume the role of interim chief.
In a farewell message posted on social media, Nelson expressed gratitude for his time in public office, stating, 'As I leave public office today after 53 years, thank you for the great privilege of a lifetime of serving the people of our country. I am humbled and grateful.'
Nelson's political career began in 1972, with his election to the Florida House of Representatives. He later served in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Florida's 9th congressional district, an area adjacent to the Space Coast, home to NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Notably, Nelson flew on the STS-61-C mission aboard the space shuttle Columbia in January 1986, becoming the first sitting member of Congress to travel to space. His flight was commanded by Charlie Bolden, who later led NASA during the Obama administration. This mission preceded the ill-fated STS-51-L Challenger flight.
Throughout his career, Nelson sought various political offices, including a bid for Florida governor in 1990 and serving as Florida's Treasurer and Insurance Commissioner. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2001, serving until 2019, when he lost to Republican Rick Scott.
In 2019, Nelson was appointed to NASA's advisory council and was nominated as NASA administrator by President Joe Biden in February 2021, receiving unanimous Senate confirmation shortly thereafter.
As Nelson departs, he offers words of encouragement to his successor, billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, who has been nominated by Trump for the full NASA administrator position. Nelson emphasized the importance of NASA's mission, stating, 'We are merely temporary stewards of this extraordinary space agency. Humanity's dream in the stars is bigger than any of us.'