Jim Bridenstine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jim Bridenstine
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Official portrait, 2019
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| 13th Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration | |
| In office April 23, 2018 – January 20, 2021 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy | James Morhard |
| Preceded by | Charles Bolden |
| Succeeded by | Bill Nelson |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma's 1st district |
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| In office January 3, 2013 – April 23, 2018 |
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| Preceded by | John Sullivan |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Hern |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Frederick Bridenstine
June 15, 1975 Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Michelle Ivory
(m. 2004) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Rice University (BA) Cornell University (MBA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1998–2007 (Active) 2010–2015 (Reserve) 2015–present (Air National Guard) |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Commander (Active) Lieutenant Commander (Reserve) Major (Air National Guard) |
| Unit | Oklahoma Air National Guard |
| Battles/wars | War on Terrorism Afghanistan Campaign |
| Awards |
See list
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2) (w/ "V" device)
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Navy Unit Commendation Navy E Ribbon Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal National Defense Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Sea Service Deployment Ribbon Expert Pistol Medal |
James Frederick Bridenstine (born June 15, 1975) is an American military officer and politician. He served as the 13th Administrator of NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration). Before leading NASA, Bridenstine was a U.S. Representative for Oklahoma's 1st congressional district from 2013 to 2018. He is a member of the Republican Party. Today, Bridenstine works in the private sector for companies like Voyager Space Holdings and Viasat.
President Donald Trump chose Bridenstine to lead NASA in 2017. The U.S. Senate approved his nomination in April 2018. Bridenstine was the first elected official to become NASA Administrator. He left his role at NASA in January 2021.
Contents
Jim Bridenstine's Early Life and School
Jim Bridenstine was born on June 15, 1975, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He grew up in Arlington, Texas, and became an Eagle Scout. His family later moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. In high school, he was captain of his swim team and was named Oklahoma Swimmer of the Year.
He graduated from Jenks High School in 1993. Bridenstine then went to Rice University in Houston, Texas, graduating in 1998. He studied Economics, Psychology, and Business. Later, he earned a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) from Cornell University in 2009.
Jim Bridenstine's Career Before Politics
After college, Bridenstine joined the United States Navy in 1998. He became a Naval Aviator, flying planes like the E-2C Hawkeye. He flew missions for the U.S. Navy and later for the United States Naval Reserve. He also flew the F/A-18 Hornet.
In 2006, Bridenstine invested in the Rocket Racing League. He also worked at Wyle Laboratories, a defense company. In 2008, he became the chief pilot for the Tulsa team of the Rocket Racing League.
From 2008 to 2010, Bridenstine was the executive director of the Tulsa Air and Space Museum. He helped organize an air show there in 2010. In 2010, he began serving in the Navy Reserve. In 2015, he joined the Oklahoma Air National Guard.
Jim Bridenstine in the U.S. House of Representatives
Jim Bridenstine served in the United States House of Representatives for Oklahoma's 1st congressional district. He was a Representative from January 2013 to April 2018.
How Jim Bridenstine Was Elected
In 2011, Bridenstine decided to run for Congress. He won the Republican primary election in June 2012. In the main election in November 2012, he won against his opponent. The district he represented was very Republican.
He ran again in 2014 and won without any opponents. In 2016, he was re-elected to his seat. Bridenstine had promised to serve only three terms, so he did not run for re-election in 2018.
What Committees Jim Bridenstine Joined
During his time in Congress, Bridenstine was part of important committees. He served on the Committee on Armed Services. He also joined the Committee on Science, Space and Technology. On the Science Committee, he was the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment. He also served on the Subcommittee on Space.
Jim Bridenstine as NASA Administrator
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On September 1, 2017, President Donald Trump announced that he wanted Bridenstine to lead NASA. Some people criticized this choice because Bridenstine was a politician, not a scientist or engineer. However, others praised his deep knowledge of space issues.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Bridenstine on April 19, 2018. He became the first member of Congress to lead NASA. Vice President Mike Pence swore him in on April 23, 2018.
Space Launch System and Moon Missions
In March 2019, Vice President Pence asked NASA to try to land humans on the Moon by 2024. This was much sooner than the original plan of 2028. Bridenstine said that to do this, NASA would need to speed up the development of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. He also looked into using rockets from private companies like Delta IV Heavy or Falcon Heavy.
Working with Private Space Companies
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Bridenstine worked closely with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. He supported using private companies to help NASA achieve its goals.
The Artemis Program
Bridenstine played a key role in creating the plan for humans to return to the Moon. He named this important mission the Artemis program. He also decided that the lunar lander for the Artemis program would be built by private companies. This was similar to how NASA worked with companies for its Commercial Crew Program.
Jim Bridenstine's Career After NASA
After leading NASA for two and a half years, Bridenstine stepped down on January 20, 2021. Many people felt he had done a great job moving the agency forward.
After leaving NASA, Bridenstine returned to his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He took on new roles in the private sector.
- In January 2021, he became a senior advisor for Acorn Growth Companies.
- In April 2021, he joined the board of directors for the satellite company Viasat.
- Also in April 2021, he was chosen to lead the advisory board for Voyager Space Holdings, a company that buys space exploration businesses.
- In January 2024, Bridenstine joined the board of directors for Starlab Space.
He also serves on the advisory board of the National Security Space Association.
Jim Bridenstine's Views on Important Topics
While in Congress, Bridenstine was a member of the Freedom Caucus.
Space Policy
Bridenstine cared a lot about space policy. He believed that "our very way of life depends on space." In 2016, he introduced a bill called the American Space Renaissance Act. This bill aimed to improve national security, civil, and commercial space policies. He also helped get funding for the Federal Aviation Administration's office that oversees commercial space travel.
Environment and Climate Change
Before becoming NASA Administrator, Bridenstine had different views on global climate change. In 2013, he said that global temperatures had stopped rising. He also criticized the government for spending more money on climate science than on weather forecasting.
However, by May 2018, Bridenstine changed his public position on climate change. He stated, "I fully believe and know that the climate is changing. I also know that we human beings are contributing to it in a major way." He explained that carbon dioxide from human activities is warming the planet.
Jim Bridenstine's Personal Life
Jim Bridenstine married Michelle Deanne Ivory on November 6, 2004, in Fort Worth, Texas. They have three children.
See also
In Spanish: Jim Bridenstine para niños
