Aerojet Rocketdyne's John Schumacher Mentioned For Deputy Administrator Post

President Donald Trump is considering  Congressman Jim Bridenstine (R-OK) (pictured) as the next NASA administrator, according to reports from NASA Watch and Ars Technica.

Aerojet Rocketdyne VP John Schumacher is reportedly being considered for the Deputy Administrator post.

Ars says it has had the names confirmed by two sources familiar with space politics in Washington, D.C., but one offered the caveat "this is Trump world."

A formal announcement has been tentatively planned for September for some time, but no exact date or location has been finalized.

The acting administrator is Robert Lightfoot, who was reportedly considered for both positions. Most say he has done an acceptable job leading the agency through the transition. His most critical decision was made in May when he announced that the first launch of the SLS would be an unmanned mission following speculation that a crew might fly on EM-1.

Congressman Bridenstine is serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is a pilot in the Navy Reserve. He is seen as a potential changemaker, according to Ars, and he has the support of several commercial space companies.

He has also been an open advocate of returning humans to the Moon before embarking on a mission to Mars.

Schumacher has a 30-year aerospace career including previous NASA experience as chief of staff for former Administrator Sean O'Keefe and other roles. He has worked for Aerojet Rocketdyne for the past 11 years.

FMI: Original Story, www.nasa.gov