Sean O'Keefe leaves an agency that can be trusted but is still plagued with problems
Avi Blizovsky
The resignation last Monday of NASA Director Sean O'Keeffe came precisely at a time when a budgetary window of opportunity was created before the agency, but with an unclear agenda.
In his letter of resignation to President Bush, the director general of NASA wrote: "I will continue in the position until you appoint a replacement in the hope that he will be approved by the Senate by February."
The Secretary of the Science Committee in the House of Representatives - Sherwood Baulert announced regarding O'Keefe's decision to step down from his position: "I was sorry to hear about O'Keefe's decision who was an effective leader and moved NASA forward in the last three years. Sean leaves NASA in better shape than he got it. We look forward to working with whomever the president appoints as CEO in the hope that he will draw on O'Keeffe's efforts and the government's vision."
In a written statement, the chairman of the Capitol Advisory Committee on Space and Airborne Systems Management - Bart Gordon acknowledged O'Keeffe's service to NASA, noting the course of the tragedy of the shuttle Columbia in February 2003. In any case, his replacement will be required to address the same problematic issues by pointing to:
• Return of safe flights of the ferry.
• Dealing with the difficult financial situation of the agency.
• Continued global leadership.
• Achieving the agency's goals within budget constraints.
"I hope that the White House will act quickly to appoint a person with suitable management and technical abilities for the position.
Former NASA Director General Courtney Stadt noted that President Bush is committed to his statement from January."
NASA's success in budgeting in 2005 to budget for the Moon, Mars and other programs is a clear indication of President Bush's vision for the national importance of NASA and its high priority in government programs.
I believe that choosing a replacement for O'Keefe will be done in a balanced way, choosing someone who will be committed to the position for the next four years in which good things can happen but also bad things.
Studd added that NASA is an agency that always needs to think in terms of a team, during O'Keefe's position he demonstrated a willingness to take difficult decisions especially in the financial and management areas, I think he deserves credit for that. The above decisions will be examined by historians.
O'Keefe should be praised for the way he handled the traumatic issue of the Columbia ferry, the open and transparent treatment of the issue and the treatment of the families.
For information on Space.com
O'Keefe defends his decision to cancel a manned launch to Hubble
O'Keefe defended his decision to favor a robotic repair mission for the Hubble Space Telescope in an interview with news agencies last Friday, days after a panel of scientists said a shuttle mission would do better. According to him, in any case, he will finish his post before the final decision is made regarding the way in which the popular space telescope will be upgraded.
However, he says that he does not express anxiety about his decision. He recommends watching the two rounds of examination of the proposals for robotic missions, rounds that will take place in March and August 2005.
The name of O'Keefe's replacement has not yet been announced, and he will be the one who will have to make the decision regarding the future of the Hubble Space Telescope.
CNN: NASA is on the right track in terms of meeting the requirements for the renewal of launches
NASA is on the right track when it comes to making the improvements needed to return the shuttles to space starting in May 2005, according to an independent task force set up to examine the space agency's efforts.
NASA has completed eight of the 15 changes recommended by the Columbia Disaster Commission and is also on track to meet most of the other requirements. Submitted by members of the Stafford-Covey Task Group.
