Jim Bridenstine was nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 13th Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As administrator, he led NASA in advancing American aeronautic, science, and space exploration objectives beginning April 23, 2018. Under Bridenstine’s leadership, NASA launched its new human lunar exploration mission, the Artemis program. Announced by Vice President Mike Pence in March 2019, the Artemis program aims to land the first woman and the next man on the surface of the Moon, representing the first human lunar landing since the Apollo missions in 1972. Through Artemis, NASA is developing the Orion crew capsule and the Space Launch System (SLS), alongside the lunar orbiting Gateway space station to prove technology and capabilities in preparation for a future crewed mission to Mars. Bridenstine managed the continued commercial resupply of the International Space Station and led agency efforts to partner with American businesses on the Commercial Crew Program to restore domestic human space launch capability for the first time since the Space Shuttle retirement in 2011. Additionally, he established the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) Program to partner with private industry to deliver science experiments and rovers to the lunar surface. During his tenure, the agency advanced aeronautic development of the X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft and the X-57 all-electric airplane, and backed Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management (UTM). His science portfolio included advancing the Mars 2020 rover mission, expanding Earth-observing satellites, and preparing the James Webb Space Telescope. Prior to leading NASA, Bridenstine was elected in 2012 to represent Oklahoma’s First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving on the Armed Services Committee and the Science, Space and Technology Committee. His federal service began in 1998 as a U.S. Navy pilot flying the E-2C Hawkeye off the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, flying combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan with 1,900 flight hours and 333 carrier arrested landings. He later flew the F-18 Hornet at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (TOPGUN's parent command). After transitioning to the U.S. Navy Reserve, he served as executive director of the Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium. Bridenstine completed a triple major at Rice University and earned an MBA from Cornell University. He is married to Michelle Bridenstine, and they have three children. International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2020 (Cyberspace Edition, 12-14 October 2020): - Plenary Events: Heads of Agencies - IAF GNF Sessions: Europe on and around the Moon and Mars: A discussion between ESA and NASA leaders with European young professionals on Europe’s space exploration contributions and ambitions International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2019 (Washington, United States, 21-25 October 2019): - Plenary Programme: Ceremonies - Plenary 1: Heads of Space Agencies: Challenges and Opportunities in a Changing Space Environment - Opening Ceremony - Closing Ceremony - IAF Excellence In Industry Award Ceremony and Fireside Chat - IAF GNF Diversity Stream: NASA YP Town Hall - IAF GNF Public Day: From the Moon to Mars NASA’s Artemis Program International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2018 (Bremen, Germany, 1-5 October 2018): - Plenary 1: Heads of Agencies - Plenary Events: From Deep Impact to Gravity through Space Weather: Working Together to Protect From Space Hazards, Human-made or Natural - IAF GNF Public Stream: In-Flight Call with Alexander Gerst