Who Will Lead NASA Back to the Moon?

President Trump publicly declared his official nomination for the new head of NASA, a controversial appointment that has the space-science world on its toes as senate approval nears. Oklahoma representative Jim Bridenstine is the contender: a Republican politician, fighter pilot, and a leading advocate for increasing the role of private companies in NASA’s space exploration (corporations like SpaceX and Blue Origin). He is also a climate change denying friend of Trump’s.

Florida senators Rubio and Nelson object to the choice, believing that NASA should be guided by a “space professional.” They are not alone in this opinion. CNN describes Bridenstine as a “political appointee who doesn’t have the necessary experience to run the agency.” This is true; he is a man with little to no practice or credentials for the position. Bridenstine holds degrees in economics, business, and psychology, and his career outside politics consists of fleeting ventures into real estate and a rocket-racing league. Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown refers to him as a man with “no experience in scientific research or academia,” but “what Bridenstine does have going for him [is that] he’s a politician, he has a mild interest in space policy, and he supports Donald Trump.” Across the United States, scientists, astronauts, politicians, and various stakeholders debate the competency and accountability with which this man might progress—or depress—the National Aeronautics and Space Association.

There are, of course, others who do not oppose the nomination. For example, Texan GOP senator Ted Cruz, the chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness, stated that he was in favor of Trump’s choice. Bridenstine is a “strong, principled, and effective leader,” he said, and a “dear friend.” Further, NASA’s current acting administrator, Robert Lightfoot, declared that he was “pleased” with Bridenstine. After mentioning that the nomination still must go through the Senate confirmation process, Lightfoot said in a statement that he looked forward “to ensuring a smooth transition and sharing the great work the NASA team is doing,” a hopeful sentiment.

In 2013, during his first term in the House, Bridenstine argued for reallocated funds for weather research: “Mr. Speaker, global temperatures stopped rising 10 years ago,” he said. “Global temperature changes, when they exist, correlate with sun output and ocean cycles.” Neither of these statements hold true. So, can a man who denies the science of climate change really take America back to the Moon? To Mars? Can a citizen of the largest carbon producer in the world, who says that the US “does not have a big enough carbon footprint to make a difference [in climate change] when you’ve got all these other polluters out there. So why do we fundamentally want to damage our economy even more when nobody else is willing to do the same thing?”, can he really lead America in the 21st Century Space Race? Can he return us to the days of pioneering space technology and travel?

Time will tell.