Laurie Leshin

NASA Statement on Appointment of New JPL Director - NASA The following is a statement from acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro on the appointment of David Gallagher as director of the agency’s Jet Propulsion

Very much appreciate these kind words from my long time friend and colleague Janet Petro. www.nasa.gov/news-release...

Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate many successes and who supported us through challenges. I will always remain a champion of JPL’s extraordinary work to expand humanity’s reach into the cosmos and make lives better on Earth.

Leading JPL has been the honor of a lifetime. I am proud of the many things we accomplished together – launching and making progress on a long list of missions, driving the forefront of technology on Earth and in space, and making more amazing scientific discoveries than I can name.

I’ll continue at Caltech as Bren Professor of Geochemistry and Planetary Science, and will leave JPL in the very capable hands of Dave Gallagher, whom I strongly support as the Lab’s 11th Director. I will focus on re-starting me research program and helping my family recover from the Eaton fire.

After serving as Director of NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and VP of Caltech for three years, I have decided to step down, effective June 1. Though not an easy decision, I strongly believe it is the right one for me, my family, and the Lab. www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/dave-ga...

Insider tip -- one of them is a real MA town...#IYKYK

Congratulations!! So happy for you both! Wishing you every happiness!

Makes me laugh every time. Thanks for re-upping this!

we need video...

Psst…5 years from today is Jupiter Orbit Insertion for Europa Clipper. Everyone should mark their calendars.

Hong Kong GeoPark is AWESOME!!!

20 years ago today…been there for each other through so many adventures and some real challenges too. I feel so lucky!! Love you to the stars my dearest Jon!!

This is freaking awesome. Go Firefly Blue Ghost!

NASA science for the win!!

After many years of work by hundreds of talented folks at JPL, Caltech, BAE Systems & many other partners, NASA's SPHEREx mission was deployed by NASA LSP & SpaceX last night to begin its journey of discovery. S/C is healthy & power positive! 🛰️✨

On console for SPHEREx launch attempt tonight — best part of my job is seeing our teams work issues in real time and make magic happen! Great collaboration across universities, industry, int’l partners, NASA, JPL and SpaceX. Lucky peanuts are GO (but not until fueling starts)!!

so true!

He was a world-class splooter. Olympic champion. 🏅

Thanks so much Gene. Very well said. ❤️

the best boy!

Had to say goodbye to our Space Pup Hudson on Thursday. Battling cancer and it was time. We will miss him so much. 💔

Boop! Go SPHEREx!!

Let’s go @lunartrailblazer.bsky.social!! Lucky peanuts are go!

Thank you for your great partnership with Caltech and JPL on this exciting mission! Go Lunar Trailblazer!! #LaunchDay

This is the kind of critical work we do at JPL, tracking potentially killer asteroids. Our NEO Surveyor mission will find 1000s of potentially damaging asteroids with enough warning to deflect. In a mission review today the team showed a mission patch with a T-Rex that said "never again." Love that!

Big week at JPL! Two launches! Lunar Trailblazer, a lunar orbiter with powerful eyes to detect lunar water -- launching with IM-2 on Wed. SPHEREx, a cutting edge astrophysics mission, mapping millions of galaxies with over 100 colors of infrared light to explore our cosmic beginnings. Launching Fri!

thank you!! they are beauties!

thats quite a nice chewy!!

thanks Larry. it's a bummer. your kitties are beautiful tho!

Yea I think he's side-eyeing me...gorgeous color though!

What a beauty!!