Amit Kshatriya Named NASA’s New Associate Administrator

India-West Staff Reporter

WASHINGTON, DC — Amit Kshatriya, a 20-year veteran of the U.S. space agency, has been appointed as NASA’s new associate administrator, its highest-ranking civil service position, Acting Administrator Sean P. Duffy announced on September 4.

Kshatriya previously served as deputy in charge of the Moon to Mars Program within NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate at headquarters in Washington. In that role, he oversaw planning and implementation for crewed missions to the Moon under the Artemis campaign, designed to pave the way for humanity’s first mission to Mars.

Duffy praised the appointment as a signal of the agency’s commitment to space exploration. “Amit has spent more than two decades as a dedicated public servant at NASA, working to advance American leadership in space,” Duffy said. “Under his leadership, the agency will chart a bold vision to return to the Moon during President Trump’s term.”

Born in Wisconsin and educated at the California Institute of Technology and the University of Texas at Austin, Kshatriya is among a select group of about 100 individuals in history to serve as a mission control flight director. His operational and strategic background, NASA officials said, brings unmatched expertise to the agency’s top ranks.

Kshatriya’s elevation to associate administrator also reflects a wider shift toward integrating commercial partnerships into NASA’s long-term strategy. Duffy emphasized that Washington views the space industry as a vital driver of American economic growth, with Kshatriya expected to guide stronger collaboration between NASA and private space companies.

Photo: NASA