Well, better late than never. This week the Senate confirmed Matthew Anderson, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, as the new deputy administrator at NASA.
Last year, NASA provided this background information on Mr. Anderson:
Throughout his over 24-year tenure in the U.S. Air Force, Anderson culminated his career as the U.S. Transportation Command’s senior liaison officer to North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), and U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM). He retired as a colonel Oct. 1, 2021. Anderson is currently a vice president and Space Force & Air Force client executive at CACI. He also serves as the chief growth officer at the Space Force Association.
An alum of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Anderson holds degrees in biology, aeronautical science, and leadership & counseling.
He said all of the right things at his confirmation hearing in March, stating:
Make no mistake… we are on a shot clock, and the stakes are high. Stakes that directly affect the balance of power here on earth.
If confirmed, I will 100 percent support the Administrator in executing the President’s space policy. I will roll up my sleeves and tirelessly serve the talented workforce at NASA, be a great teammate with Congress, and beat China to the moon.
Together, we have the opportunity to usher in a new Golden Age of science and discovery,
It was a long road to this point, as well as a close vote (46-43), but the team is on board and its time to get all hands on deck so the new “Golden Age” can get started.
By the way, it is the Congress’ budget, and not the proposed White House budget, that provides the gold to pay for this program. The White House seems to have only enough gold to adorn its walls in the style of Louis XIV.
Note: The Senate vote on Jared Isaacman for NASA administrator was 67-30.
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