NASA's second in command, Lori Garver, to step down

Lori Garver, the deputy administrator of NASA, has announced plans to depart America’s space agency after 5 years in her role. She leaves on September 6, 2013.

Florida Today: “Starting with her leadership of then President-elect Obama’s space transition team in 2008, Garver quickly became a lightning rod for critics who questioned her non-technical credentials or saw her as a threat to the status quo. Others cheered her push to revitalize a NASA struggling to do too much with too little money.

Below, official statements on her departure from her NASA colleagues, sent out to press today:

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden:

“I have had the pleasure and honor of working side by side with Lori for the past four years, as we sought to position the agency for 21st century spaceflight, scientific discovery and deep space exploration. She has been an indispensable partner in our efforts to keep NASA on a trajectory of progress and innovation. In a time of great change and challenge, she has been a remarkable leader who has consistently shown great vision and commitment to NASA and the aerospace industry.

“Lori has led the way on so many of the Obama Administration’s space priorities, including our commercial crew and cargo program, the re-establishment of a space technology mission directorate, our use of challenges and prizes, and our unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion. As one of only a few top women leaders in the aerospace industry, she has been an extraordinary role model for young girls, inspiring them to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and pursue their dreams in space and here on Earth.

“Lori will always be a great friend to me and to our agency.”

Office of Science and Technology Policy Director John Holdren:

“Lori Garver has worked tirelessly in support of this administration’s aerospace priorities, from human space exploration and technology development to Earth science and aeronautics research. She ensured that U.S. taxpayers were getting the most for their money from NASA with innovative public-private partnerships in space and on Earth, and her focus on getting more women and other underrepresented groups engaged in science, technology, engineering, and math was just as important.

“On behalf of President Obama, as well as myself, I want to thank Lori for her leadership, dedication, and work on behalf of the American people, and wish her all the best in future endeavors.”

[HT: Aileen Graef]