Shuttle Shuffle

NASA has replaced Wayne Hale as head of the shuttle program with his deputy, John Shannon. Hale's new assignment is leading the effort to develop strategies to deal with the transition from the shuttle program and ISS to the resumption of manned lunar flights.

Shannon, on the other hand, is charged with winding down and wrapping up the shuttle program, and doing so safely. As people look to an uncertain future after shuttle, Shannon will have to keep everyone focused on properly doing the work at hand until the last flight is safely home. Another lost shuttle at this point would be a tragedy on many levels.

Hale is known throughout NASA and in Washington as a thoughtful, effective leader with the personal skills to deal with Congress and to speak to the public. By moving him to the Moon program, NASA leadership is likely putting the team that will fight for the program in the next presidential administration in place.