Sen. Bill Nelson, a fifth-generation Floridian and longtime public servant, served as the 14th NASA Administrator from May 3, 2021, to Jan. 20, 2025, where he advanced President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ vision to propel American leadership in space, aeronautics, and Earth science. Under his leadership, NASA launched Artemis I, laying the groundwork for future lunar missions through Artemis II and beyond, initiated Commercial Lunar Payload Services flights that returned the American flag to the Moon, and advanced new spacesuits, rovers, and landers in partnership with commercial and international collaborators. NASA also unveiled groundbreaking scientific achievements, including launching the James Webb Space Telescope, preparing the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope and Habitable Worlds Observatory, pioneering planetary defense with DART, returning asteroid samples with OSIRIS-REx, flying the Ingenuity helicopter on Mars, and preparing Europa Clipper to explore Jupiter’s icy moon. The agency also advanced nuclear propulsion technologies, expanded Earth-observing missions like TEMPO, PACE, SWOT, EMIT, TROPICS, and PREFIRE, launched Earth.gov and Earth Information Centers, and announced the Earth System Observatory to tackle climate challenges. NASA sent eight commercial crews to the International Space Station, furthered research including advances in cancer treatment, and deepened global cooperation, with more than 50 nations signing the Artemis Accords. Nelson emphasized diplomacy, meeting with nearly 20 heads of state, and championed aeronautics through development of the X-59 supersonic aircraft and X-66 sustainable flight. Committed to inspiring the Artemis Generation, he prioritized STEM education, continuity of purpose, and bipartisan support for NASA’s mission. Nelson’s tenure capped a nearly five-decade career that included service in the Florida Legislature, 12 years in the U.S. House, 18 years in the U.S. Senate where he coauthored the NASA Authorization Act of 2010, and a historic flight aboard Space Shuttle Columbia in 1986. A Yale and University of Virginia Law graduate, U.S. Army veteran, and lifelong advocate for space, science, climate action, and education, Nelson and his wife, Grace Cavert, have two children. Courtesy of NASA.