Aug 6 2013

From The Space Library

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Current revision

RELEASE 13-245 Statements on NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver's Announced Departure

The following are statements from NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and Office of Science and Technology Policy Director John Holdren about NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver's announced departure from the agency, effective Sept. 6.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden: "I have had the pleasure and honor of working side by side with Lori for the past four years, as we sought to position the agency for 21st century spaceflight, scientific discovery and deep space exploration. She has been an indispensable partner in our efforts to keep NASA on a trajectory of progress and innovation. In a time of great change and challenge, she has been a remarkable leader who has consistently shown great vision and commitment to NASA and the aerospace industry.

"Lori has led the way on so many of the Obama Administration's space priorities, including our commercial crew and cargo program, the re-establishment of a space technology mission directorate, our use of challenges and prizes, and our unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion. As one of only a few top women leaders in the aerospace industry, she has been an extraordinary role model for young girls, inspiring them to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and pursue their dreams in space and here on Earth.

"Lori will always be a great friend to me and to our agency."

Office of Science and Technology Policy Director John Holdren: "Lori Garver has worked tirelessly in support of this administration’s aerospace priorities, from human space exploration and technology development to Earth science and aeronautics research. She ensured that U.S. taxpayers were getting the most for their money from NASA with innovative public-private partnerships in space and on Earth, and her focus on getting more women and other underrepresented groups engaged in science, technology, engineering, and math was just as important.

"On behalf of President Obama, as well as myself, I want to thank Lori for her leadership, dedication, and work on behalf of the American people, and wish her all the best in future endeavors."

MEDIA ADVISORY M13-124 Media Invited to NASA Google+ Hangout on Wildfire and Climate Change

NASA will host a Google+ Hangout at 1 p.m. EDT Friday, Aug. 9, about wildfire research and what a changing climate could mean for future fire activity in the United States.

A decades-long record from ground surveys and NASA satellites shows the fire season in the western United States is starting earlier in the spring and producing larger and more intense fires throughout the summer. Is this a result of climate change, or are other factors involved? How do scientists anticipate a continued increase in global temperatures will influence the number and strength of wildfires?

Panelists for the Google+ Hangout are:

• Doug Morton, research scientist, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
• Bill Patzert, research scientist, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
• Elizabeth Reinhardt, national program leader for fire research, research and development, Office of the Climate Change Advisor, U.S. Forest Service, Washington

The panelists will discuss the 2013 fire season so far, recent trends in U.S. and global wildfires, and what climate projections reveal about potential fire activity in the future.

Journalists who want to ask questions by phone during this Google+ Hangout must provide their media affiliation information to Aries Keck at 301-286-4435 or aries.keck@nasa.gov by 10 a.m. Aug. 9. The Hangout will be broadcast publicly via NASA Goddard’s YouTube and Google+ pages. The Hangout also will be carried live on NASA Television and the agency's website.