Senate confirms Bridenstine

WASHINGTON - The Senate confirmed Rep. Jim Bridenstine, R-Okla., to be the 13th NASA administrator. The partisan vote was 50 to 39. Democrats opposed President Trump’s nominee, in part because he is not a "space professional." Bridenstine had previously said he's an advocate of the current Space Launch System and Orion programs, as well as NASA working with commercial space companies. NASA's acting administrator, Robert Lightfoot, is retiring. (Sources: multiple, including CNN, Science Magazine, Air and Space, 04/19/18) Gulf Coast note: Stennis Space Center, Miss., and Michoud Assembly Facility, New Orleans, are both involved in the SLS/Orion program as well as commercial space activities. Previous