Robert Lightfoot

Lightfoot to lead Lockheed Martin space unit
Lockheed Martin has named a former acting administrator of NASA as the new head of its space business unit.

Lightfoot calls for enlightened approach to risk management at NASA
In his last major speech as NASA’s acting administrator before retiring, Robert Lightfoot said he believes the space agency needs to do a better job assessing risks and making decisions in order to carry out its exploration plans.

Lightfoot expects few NASA changes despite leadership uncertainty
Despite uncertainty about who will lead the agency after the end of April, NASA's current acting administrator says he expects little change in the agency's activities in the near future.

NASA Acting Administrator Lightfoot to retire
Robert Lightfoot, who has led NASA on an interim basis for more than a year, announced March 12 that he will retire from the agency at the end of April, adding more uncertainty about the agency's leadership.

House members question balance of NASA programs in 2019 budget proposal
Members of the House space subcommittee raised concerns about elements of NASA's fiscal year 2019 budget proposal during a March 7 hearing, from the cancellation of a space telescope to restructuring of the agency's technology programs.

NASA foresees human lunar landings by the late 2020s
NASA's vision for lunar exploration includes landing astronauts, from NASA and its partners, on the surface of the moon by the late 2020s, the agency's acting administrator said Feb. 20.

NASA 2019 budget expected to include lunar exploration program details
Details about how NASA will implement a space policy directive regarding a human return to the moon will be in the agency's 2019 budget request, scheduled for release as soon as early February.

Lightfoot seeks stability at NASA despite budget uncertainty
NASA Acting Administrator Robert Lightfoot said that a new NASA authorization bill should provide continuity for the agency’s programs despite swirling questions about potential budget cuts.

Business as usual at NASA two weeks into new administration
Two weeks into the administration of President Donald Trump, NASA’s acting administrator said there have yet to be any major changes to the agency’s activities or any indication of when such changes might come.

Trump administration assigns first political appointees to NASA
NASA Associate Administrator Robert Lightfoot formally took over as acting administrator of NASA Jan. 20 as the new Trump administration assigned two people to positions within the agency.

Some NASA transition team members to remain after inauguration
The man who will soon become the acting administrator of NASA said he expects some members of the incoming Trump administration’s landing team to stay on at the agency after the inauguration.