NASA Administrator Quits To Pursue LSU Job

It's official: NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe resigned Monday, after applying for the chancellorship of Louisiana State University over the weekend.

O'Keefe, who presided over some of the darkest days in NASA history, said in a handwritten letter to President Bush that he was leaving his $158,000/year job in order to pay for his children's higher education.

"I owe them the opportunity my parents provided for me to pursue higher education without the crushing burden of debt thereafter," O'Keefe wrote. "That commitment from them made possible all that I have been able to pursue in public life. I owe my children that same option, but I can't do that if I remain in public service." His letter was quoted by the Orlando Sentinel.

If he indeed wins the job as LSU chancellor, O'Keefe stands to make about $500,000/year.

At the White House, reaction was muted. "Administrator O'Keefe has previously indicated to us that he is planning on leaving," said presidential spokesman Scott McClellan. "There's really not more to announce at this time until we receive a letter from him. But once we do that, then maybe we can have more to say at that time. But he is someone the President believes has done a great job over at NASA, and we appreciate the work that he has done." The letter from O'Keefe came shortly after McClellan spoke with reporters in the White House briefing room.

In his resignation letter to the President, O'Keefe wrote, "I will continue until you have named a successor and in the hope the Senate will act on your nomination by February."

"I've been honored to serve this President, the American people and my talented colleagues here at NASA," said O'Keefe. "Together, we've enjoyed unprecedented success and seen each other through arduous circumstances. This was the most difficult decision I've ever made, but it's one I felt was best for my family and our future."

O'Keefe took the helm at NASA three years ago, brought on board to keep a close eye on the space agency's budget. But the loss of the shuttle Columbia in February, 2003, visibly marked him and permanently changed the space agency. Caution became O'Keefe's watchword after he promised the commission that investigated the Columbia tragedy to implement any changes it saw fit to recommend.

To that end, O'Keefe leaves as the debate heats up over his decision not to send a manned mission to rescue the ailing Hubble Space Telescope. In January, O'Keefe said it would simply be too dangerous -- there would be nowhere for a Hubble-bound shuttle to hole up if something went wrong as it did on Columbia's last mission. He approved development of a robotic mission to save the telescope, described by astronomers as the single most important tool they have. But critics of that idea said Hubble could uncontrollably re-enter the atmosphere long before then. One of the first jobs for O'Keefe's replacement will be to decide what to do about the Hubble.

"NASA is the only agency in the world where its people are allowed to dream big and then work to make those dreams come true. Who wouldn't treasure the opportunity to be a part of pioneering history?" O'Keefe said in prepared remarks announcing his resignation. "I'm humbled by the dedication and determination of the NASA Family and their commitment to the future of exploration. I wish each of them the very best. I am confident in their ability to carry out what we've started."

FMI: www.nasa.gov