Constellation Program Manager Replaced

Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) revealed this morning that NASA is replacing the program manager of the Constellation program, Jeff Hanley. She expressed her concern about this decision during a question and answer exchange with NASA Administrator Bolden at this morning’s House Science and Technology Committee hearing on NASA’s human space flight program.

Bolden said the decision was not his, that such a decision is the province of Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) Associate Administrator Doug Cooke and Johnson Space Center (JSC) Director Mike Coats, but said he had been in discussions with them and it was his understanding that they were meeting with Hanley this morning. Bolden indicated that Hanley will become Deputy Director of JSC for strategic planning. Giffords said the action further undermines NASA”s effort to convince Congress that it is not taking actions to cancel Constellation as required by law. Who will replace Hanley was not mentioned.