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Deputy Administrator of NASA

The deputy administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the second-highest-ranking official of NASA, the national space agency of the United States. Administrator of NASA is NASA's chief decision maker, responsible for providing clarity to the agency's vision and serving as a source of internal leadership within NASA. The office holder also has an important place within United States space policy.[1] Additionally the deputy administrator is first in the line of succession for the Administrator of NASA followed by the Associate Administrator of NASA.[2]

Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Seal of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
since May 21, 2026
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Reports toAdministrator of NASA
SeatMary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
AppointerThe president
with advice and consent of the Senate
Term lengthNo fixed term
Constituting instrument51 U.S.C. § 20111
FormationAugust 19, 1958; 67 years ago (1958-08-19)
First holderHugh Latimer Dryden
SalaryExecutive Schedule, Level III
Websitenasa.gov

History

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The longest-running (acting) deputy administrator was John R. Dailey, who held the post following his retirement from the United States Marine Corps.[3] The longest-running full deputy administrator was Hugh Latimer Dryden, who was the first deputy administrator.[4] William R. Graham has held the post of deputy administrator twice, and was the acting administrator in between,[5] as did Frederick D. Gregory.[6] Dr. Daniel Mulville served as the acting deputy administrator twice, and was acting administrator in between.[7]

Deputy administrators

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  Denotes an acting deputy administrator of NASA
No. Photograph Name Term start Term end Term length Ref(s)
1 Hugh L. Dryden Dr. Hugh L. Dryden August 19, 1958 December 2, 1965 2,662 days [8]
2 Robert C. Seamans (Left) Dr. Robert C. Seamans Jr. December 21, 1965 January 5, 1968 745 days [8]
3 Thomas O. Paine Dr. Thomas O. Paine March 25, 1968 March 20, 1969 360 days [8]
4 George M. Low Dr. George M. Low December 3, 1969 June 5, 1976 2,376 days [8]
5 Alan M. Lovelace Dr. Alan M. Lovelace July 2, 1976 July 10, 1981 1,834 days [8]
6 Hans Mark Dr. Hans Mark July 10, 1981 September 1, 1984 1,149 days [8]
7 William R. Graham Dr. William R. Graham November 25, 1985 December 4, 1985 9 days [8]
8 William R. Graham Dr. William R. Graham May 11, 1986 October 1, 1986 143 days [8]
9 Dale D. Myers Dale D. Myers October 6, 1986 May 13, 1989 950 days [8]
10 James R. Thompson James R. Thompson, Jr. July 6, 1989 November 8, 1991 885 days [8]
- Aaron Cohen Aaron Cohen February 19, 1992 November 1, 1992 256 days [8]
- John R. Dailey John R. Dailey November 3, 1992 December 31, 1999 2,614 days [8]
- Daniel Mulville Dr. Daniel Mulville January 1, 2000 November 19, 2001 688 days [8]
- Daniel Mulville Dr. Daniel Mulville December 21, 2001 August 11, 2002 233 days [8]
10 Frederick D. Gregory Frederick D. Gregory August 12, 2002 February 20, 2005 923 days [8]
10 Frederick D. Gregory Frederick D. Gregory April 14, 2005 November 4, 2005 204 days [8]
11 Shana Dale Shana Dale November 4, 2005 January 17, 2009 1,171 days [8]
12 Lori Garver Lori Garver July 17, 2009 September 6, 2013 1,512 days [8]
13 Dava Newman Dr. Dava Newman May 15, 2015 January 20, 2017 616 days [8]
- Lesa Roe January 20, 2017 September 11, 2017 234 days [9]
- Krista Paquin September 11, 2017 May 2018 8 months [8]
14 James Morhard October 17, 2018 January 20, 2021 826 days [8]
15 Pamela Melroy June 21, 2021 January 20, 2025 1,309 days [8]
16 Matthew P. Anderson May 21, 2026 Incumbent 33 days [10]

References

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  1. ↑ "NASA Strategic Management Handbook". Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Designation of Officers of the National Aeronautics And Space Administration To Act as Administrator". Federal Register. 2009-01-22. Retrieved 2026-03-23.
  3. ↑ "General John Dailey biography". NASA. Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
  4. ↑ "Hugh L. Dryden biography". NASA. Archived from the original on July 9, 2008. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
  5. ↑ "William R. Graham biography". NASA. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
  6. ↑ "Frederick D. Gregory". NASA. Archived from the original on July 6, 2008. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
  7. ↑ "Daniel Mulville biography". NASA. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 "Historic Personnel - NASA". Retrieved 2026-05-21.
  9. ↑ Dunbar, Brian (January 8, 2015). "NASA Organization Structure". NASA. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  10. ↑ "PN730-3 - Nomination of Matthew Anderson for National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 119th Congress (2025-2026)". www.congress.gov. 2026-05-18. Retrieved 2026-05-21.
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