Acting Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Sean P. Duffy, has appointed Indian-Origin Amit Kshatriya as the agency’s new associate administrator, the highest-ranking civil service position within NASA.

In an official statement released on September 3, 2025, the agency highlighted Kshatriya’s two decades of service at NASA. Most recently, he served as deputy head of the Moon to Mars Program within the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) at NASA Headquarters in Washington. In that capacity, he oversaw program planning and execution for crewed Artemis missions to the Moon, laying the groundwork for humanity’s first journey to Mars.

The statement emphasized that Kshatriya’s elevation to NASA’s top leadership “puts America’s return to the Moon through Artemis at the very core of our agency,” reflecting President Donald J. Trump and Administrator Duffy’s commitment to advancing U.S. leadership in space exploration.

“Amit has spent more than two decades as a dedicated public servant at NASA, working to advance American leadership in space. Under his leadership, the agency will chart a bold vision to return to the Moon during President Trump’s term,” said Duffy in the statement. “Amit’s knowledge, integrity, and unwavering commitment to pioneering a new era of exploration make him uniquely qualified to lead our agency as associate administrator. With Amit we’ll continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible.”

Kshatriya’s promotion also underscores the Trump Administration’s view of the commercial space sector as a key driver of America’s economic growth. By placing an experienced leader at the helm, NASA is expected to expand collaboration with the private space industry, strengthen the nation’s space economy, and ensure future exploration initiatives remain U.S.-led.

Born in Wisconsin, Kshatriya studied at the California Institute of Technology and the University of Texas at Austin. A veteran of NASA’s mission operations, he is among only about 100 people in history to serve as a mission control flight director, bringing both operational expertise and strategic vision to NASA’s executive leadership team.

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