Main Engine Cut Off

Part of that confidence, he said, comes from the policy certainty he believes the agency enjoys, citing an authorization act passed a year ago, the activities of the National Space Council, and Space Policy Directive 1, the White House directive instructing NASA to return humans to the moon. Those have also shaped agency plans and budget proposals, including the fiscal year 2019 proposal rolled out last month.

“If you step into the policy side of this, we’re in a pretty good spot right now,” he said, even with the occasional disagreement about programs. “I think we’re in great shape there.”