
President Trump plans to nominate Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.), a leading space advocate in Congress, to be NASA’s 13th administrator, the White House announced late Sept. 1.Analysts said that Bridenstine’s selection could be a boost for commercial space and returning astronauts to the moon, both of which he has advocated in the House.“While in Congress, Bridenstine has promoted small satellites, lightweight launch vehicles, and government purchasing of commercial data and services,” said Bill Ostrove, an aerospace/defense analyst at Forecast International. “He…