ON WESH. HE HAS LED NASA INTO A NEW ERA OF EXPLORATION, REVIVING AMERICA’S DREAM TO THE RETURN TO THE MOON AND GO BEYOND. BUT TIME AT THE TOP FOR BILL NELSON IS RUNNING OUT. THE ONE TIME ASTRONAUT, SENATOR, AND NOW NASA ADMINISTRATOR WILL SOON MAKE WAY FOR A NEW LEADER. TODAY, IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH WESH TWO NEWS, NELSON SAT DOWN TO TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF SPACEFLIGHT, AND THE MAN TAPPED TO TAKE HIS PLACE. WESH TWO STEWART MOORE JOINING US WITH THE INTERVIEW, STU. WELL, GUYS, GOOD AFTERNOON. THAT NEWS SELECTION COULD HAVE A BIG IMPACT HERE IN CENTRAL FLORIDA. WE GOT RIGHT DOWN TO BUSINESS AND ASKED NELSON HOW A SECOND TERM UNDER DONALD TRUMP WILL SHAPE THE FUTURE OF THE SPACE COAST. ELON MUSK IS AS CLOSE AS HE IS TO THE PRESIDENT ELECT. I THINK THAT THAT WILL ENSURE THAT NASA IS GOING TO GET THE MONEY THAT IT NEEDS, BECAUSE I THINK ELON WILL BE PUSHING THAT. NASA DOES NEED INCREASINGLY MONEY TO DO ALL OF THESE GEE WHIZ THINGS THAT WE’RE GOING TO DO AS WE GO BACK TO THE MOON. BILL NELSON HAS SERVED AS NASA ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS. NOW, WITH HIS TIME COMING TO AN END NEXT JANUARY. NELSON SHARED HIS ADVICE FOR THE NEW ADMINISTRATOR, POSSIBLY PRIVATE ASTRONAUT AND BILLIONAIRE BUSINESSMAN JARED ISAACMAN. I WOULD TELL HIM THAT WE’VE GOT THIS PROGRAM READY AND GOING. WE’RE READY TO LAND IN MID 2027, AND BEFORE THAT, ARTEMIS TWO WILL BE THE CREW THAT CHECKS OUT THE LIFE CYCLE SYSTEMS IN THE SPACECRAFT. THEY WILL LAUNCH IN APRIL OF 26. IT IS, AS WE SPEAK, HERE AT THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER. THAT ROCKET IS BEING STACKED IN THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY BUILDING. I’M GOING OVER THERE LATER TODAY. CALLING HIMSELF AN OPTIMIST, NELSON BELIEVES THE SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM, OR SLS, WILL CARRY THE CREW OF ARTEMIS TWO AROUND THE MOON AND BACK ON SCHEDULE, DESPITE CONCERNS OVER COST AND QUESTIONS OVER THE SAFETY OF THE HEAT SHIELD. SO IT IS GETTING READY TO LAUNCH, AND WE’RE GOING TO BE SENDING HUMANS BACK TO THE MOON. AS HE REFLECTS ON HIS SERVICE AS ADMINISTRATOR, NELSON SHARES WHAT IT HAS MEANT TO HIM AND HIS MESSAGE FOR THE WORKERS HE LEAVES BEHIND. AND THEN FOR THE PRESIDENT TO DECIDE THAT HE WANTED ME TO HEAD UP NASA. THAT’S JUST BEEN A GREAT PRIVILEGE, AND IT IS. IT’S AN INCREDIBLE WORKFORCE, AND I’M JUST PROUD AND PRIVILEGED TO BE A PART OF IT. NELSON ALSO SPOKE ABOUT THE STARLINER CREW. HE SAID BUTCH AND SUNNY ARE IN GOOD SPIRITS AND ABLE TO WAIT EVEN LONGER, AS THE NEW SPACEX DRAGON FOR CREW TEN WILL BE DELAYED FOR A MONTH AS IT UNDERGOES MORE TESTING. NELSON BELIEVES THE STARLINER PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE, HOWEVER, IT MAY HAVE A NEW NAME

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson reflects on leadership, the future of space exploration

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, who has led the agency into a new era of space exploration, is preparing to step down after four years at the helm. As his tenure comes to an end in January, Nelson spoke exclusively with WESH 2 News about his leadership, the future of spaceflight, and the next person to lead the space agency.In an interview with WESH 2, Nelson, a former astronaut and U.S. Senator, reflected on the future of space exploration, especially in the wake of his successor’s potential appointment. Nelson indicated that the next NASA administrator, possibly private astronaut and billionaire Jared Isaacman, could have significant influence on the future of the Space Coast and space exploration as a whole.Nelson, who has overseen major NASA programs, including the Artemis mission to return astronauts to the Moon, also discussed the importance of continued funding for the space agency. He credited tech mogul Elon Musk, whose close ties with President-elect Donald Trump could help secure NASA’s financial future.“Elon Musk, as close as he is to the president-elect, I think that he will ensure that NASA is going to get the money that it needs,” Nelson said, emphasizing that Musk’s influence will be vital in securing the funds necessary to carry out ambitious missions, including a return to the Moon.Looking ahead, Nelson expressed confidence in the Artemis program, which aims to land astronauts on the Moon by 2027. He shared updates on the progress of Artemis II, which will serve as a crucial test flight to check the spacecraft’s systems ahead of its scheduled launch in April 2026. The rocket for the mission is currently being prepared at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.“We’re ready to land in mid-2027, and before that, Artemis II will be the crew that checks out the lifecycle systems in the spacecraft,” Nelson explained.Despite ongoing concerns about the Space Launch System’s (SLS) costs and the safety of its heat shield, Nelson remains optimistic about the future of the program. “They are now mating the first stage of the rocket with the two solid rocket boosters…it is getting ready to launch, and we’re going to be sending humans back to the moon,” he added.As he prepares to leave NASA, Nelson reflected on his role and the dedicated workforce at the agency. “For the president to decide that he wanted me to head up NASA, that’s just been a great privilege,” Nelson said. “It’s an incredible workforce, and I’m just proud and privileged to be a part of it.”Nelson also touched on other important space missions, including the Starliner crew. While the SpaceX Dragon for Crew 10 will be delayed for a month due to additional testing, Nelson expressed confidence in the Starliner program, though he hinted that it may undergo a rebranding in the future.Nelson’s legacy will continue to shape the agency’s trajectory as his successor prepares to take the reins in this new commercial, government partnership of space exploration.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. —

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, who has led the agency into a new era of space exploration, is preparing to step down after four years at the helm. As his tenure comes to an end in January, Nelson spoke exclusively with WESH 2 News about his leadership, the future of spaceflight, and the next person to lead the space agency.

In an interview with WESH 2, Nelson, a former astronaut and U.S. Senator, reflected on the future of space exploration, especially in the wake of his successor’s potential appointment. Nelson indicated that the next NASA administrator, possibly private astronaut and billionaire Jared Isaacman, could have significant influence on the future of the Space Coast and space exploration as a whole.

Nelson, who has overseen major NASA programs, including the Artemis mission to return astronauts to the Moon, also discussed the importance of continued funding for the space agency. He credited tech mogul Elon Musk, whose close ties with President-elect Donald Trump could help secure NASA’s financial future.

“Elon Musk, as close as he is to the president-elect, I think that he will ensure that NASA is going to get the money that it needs,” Nelson said, emphasizing that Musk’s influence will be vital in securing the funds necessary to carry out ambitious missions, including a return to the Moon.

Looking ahead, Nelson expressed confidence in the Artemis program, which aims to land astronauts on the Moon by 2027. He shared updates on the progress of Artemis II, which will serve as a crucial test flight to check the spacecraft’s systems ahead of its scheduled launch in April 2026. The rocket for the mission is currently being prepared at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

“We’re ready to land in mid-2027, and before that, Artemis II will be the crew that checks out the lifecycle systems in the spacecraft,” Nelson explained.

Despite ongoing concerns about the Space Launch System’s (SLS) costs and the safety of its heat shield, Nelson remains optimistic about the future of the program. “They are now mating the first stage of the rocket with the two solid rocket boosters…it is getting ready to launch, and we’re going to be sending humans back to the moon,” he added.

As he prepares to leave NASA, Nelson reflected on his role and the dedicated workforce at the agency.

“For the president to decide that he wanted me to head up NASA, that’s just been a great privilege,” Nelson said. “It’s an incredible workforce, and I’m just proud and privileged to be a part of it.”

Nelson also touched on other important space missions, including the Starliner crew.

While the SpaceX Dragon for Crew 10 will be delayed for a month due to additional testing, Nelson expressed confidence in the Starliner program, though he hinted that it may undergo a rebranding in the future.

Nelson’s legacy will continue to shape the agency’s trajectory as his successor prepares to take the reins in this new commercial, government partnership of space exploration.