NASA To Change Gears?

Lori Garver, deputy administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), spoke Wednesday about NASA’s move to more environmental and earth-based concerns. Her speech at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Space 2009 conference comes during a transitional time for the organization—the future of manned space missions is up in the air and their budget is not expanding. The government wants to emphasize how NASA can address the needs of the nation, pointing to its ability to track climate change and natural disasters and build student interest in math and science. Garver did not offer any specific plans of action, but says NASA will earn the taxpayers’ trust with better communication about their value to the country.