Having confounded its critics with its mainly successful progress, the SLS super heavy launch vehicle programme effectively got a stamp of approval by NASA’s high command when Todd May was promoted from being SLS Programme manager to the position of Deputy Director of NASA’s Marshall Space Centre in Huntsville, Alabama. May is not a rocket scientist by trade. He actually began his career as a materials scientist. He has previously worked on Gravity Probe-B project as well as on the International Space Station. He replaces Teresa Vanhooser, who has been Marshall’s deputy director since November 2012 and is retiring after a 35-year NASA career.
NASA has also promoted Mark Geyer, current Manager of the Orion capsule programme, who takes over the role of Deputy Director of the Johnson Space Centre, in Houston, Texas in September. He succeeds Kirk Shireman who moves on to manage the International Space Station programme.
Comment by David Todd: While the promotions of Todd May and Mark Geyer are deserved given the excellent progress made on both SLS and Orion, is it the right time to change leaders of these key NASA projects?
