Leadership changes at NASA

While NASA has an eye on the universe to discover everything from lunar geology to the conditions inside black holes, the agency faces new developments on Earth as well. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden announced a couple of key changes in the agency's senior leadership on Tuesday.

Associate Administrator Chris Scolese will become the director of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., and Robert Lightfoot, currently the director of the Marshall Space Flight Center, in Huntsville, Ala., will become the agency's associate administrator.

"Both Chris and Robert are dedicated public servants who have a passion for NASA and exploration," Bolden said in a statement. "We are fortunate to have such talented and experienced leaders who are capable of assuming these critical responsibilities during this important time."

Scolese previously served as Chief Engineer, ensuring that new developments and mission operations were conducted properly. In 2009 he was appointed acting administrator of NASA.

Lightfoot spent time as the Chief of Propulsion Test Operations where he managed space shuttle main engine testing and later went on to become assistant associate administrator for the Space Shuttle Program.

Both Scolese and Lightfoot will assume their new responsibilities on March 5.