Not Very Popular Among Some in The Astronaut Corps, Nelson Nom Is Seen (By Many) As Troublesome

President Biden has announced his intent to nominate Bill Nelson to serve as National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Administrator -- the decision is not expected to be popular among much of the elder Astronaut corps who dealt with him during his politically motivated space flight -- which was often considered to be an ill-conceived PR stunt.

Senator Bill Nelson, former U. S. Senator, is a fifth generation Floridian whose family came to Florida in 1829. He has served in public office over four decades, first in the state legislature and U. S. Congress, then as State Treasurer. He was elected three times to the United States Senate, representing the third largest state for 18 years. His committees included the breadth of government policy from defense, intelligence and foreign policy to finance, commerce and health care.

According to White House press info, Nelson chaired the Space Subcommittee in the U.S. House of Representatives for 6 years and in the Senate was the Chairman or Ranking Member of the Senate Space and Science Subcommittee and Ranking Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Most every piece of space and science law has allegedly had his imprint, including passing the landmark NASA bill of 2010 along with Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson. That law set NASA on its present dual course of both government and commercial missions.

In 1986 he flew on the 24th flight of the Space Shuttle. The mission on Columbia, orbited the earth 98 times during six days. Nelson conducted 12 medical experiments including the first American stress test in space and a cancer research experiment sponsored by university researchers. In the Senate he was known (reportedly) as the go-to senator for our nation’s space program. He now serves on the NASA Advisory Council.

FMI: www.whitehouse.gov, www.nasa.gov