NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free Announces Retirement After 30 Years Service

NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free has announced his retirement, effective Saturday, Feb. 22, concluding a distinguished career spanning more than three decades at the agency.

As one of NASA’s most senior leaders, Free played a pivotal role in overseeing NASA’s expansive workforce, pioneering deep space exploration initiatives, and fostering international collaboration through the Artemis program.

Since assuming the role of NASA Associate Administrator in January 2024, Free has been a key advisor to NASA Acting Administrator Janet Petro, leading NASA’s 10 center directors and managing the agency’s $25 billion annual budget. As the agency’s chief operating officer, he has guided more than 18,000 employees in executing NASA’s ambitious science, exploration, and technology development goals.

A Legacy of Leadership and Scientific Advancement

During his tenure as associate administrator, Free oversaw several landmark achievements, reinforcing NASA’s position as a leader in space exploration. Notable accomplishments under his leadership include:

• Expansion of the Artemis Accords – Nearly two dozen additional nations signed on to support peaceful lunar exploration, strengthening global partnerships.

• First Moon Landing Under CLPS – NASA facilitated a historic lunar landing through its Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, delivering critical science and technology payloads to the Moon’s surface.

• Launch of the Europa Clipper Mission – The ambitious mission set off to study Jupiter’s moon Europa, searching for signs of habitability beneath its icy shell.

• Breakthroughs in Asteroid Science – NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission successfully returned samples from asteroid Bennu, confirming the presence of molecules containing key ingredients for life.

“Throughout his career, Jim has been the ultimate servant leader – always putting the mission and the people of NASA first. A remarkable engineer and a decisive leader, he combines deep technical expertise with an unwavering commitment to this agency’s mission. Jim’s legacy is one of selfless service, steadfast leadership, and a belief in the power of people.” - Janet Petrom, NASA Acting Administrator

Shaping the Future of Human Spaceflight

Beyond his work in lunar and planetary exploration, Free has been instrumental in advancing NASA’s long-term Mars exploration goals. He championed a new path forward for bringing samples from Mars back to Earth, setting the stage for future human missions to the Red Planet.

Additionally, Free played a key role in:

• Supporting International Space Station (ISS) crews conducting scientific research and technology demonstrations in orbit.

Developing public-private partnerships for NASA’s VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover)mission to the Moon

“It has been an honor to serve NASA and walk alongside the workforce that tackles the most difficult engineering challenges, pursues new scientific knowledge in our universe and beyond, and develops technologies for future exploration endeavors, all while prioritizing safety every day for people on the ground, in the air, and in space.” - Jim Free

A Career Built on Innovation and Exploration

Free’s career at NASA began in 1990 as an engineer working on Tracking and Data Relay Satellites at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.

Over the years, he held key leadership roles at NASA’s Glenn Research Center, Johnson Space Center, and NASA Headquarters, overseeing major spaceflight projects, including:

• The development of the Orion spacecraft for deep space missions.

• Leading NASA Glenn’s Space Flight Systems Directorate, managing key space technology programs.

• Serving as Deputy Associate Administrator for Technical in NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate.

• Directing NASA’s Artemis I mission and shaping the Moon to Mars architecture in his role as Associate Administrator for Exploration Systems Development.

Recognitions and Impact

A native of Northeast Ohio, Free holds a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics from Miami University (Ohio) and a master’s in space systems engineering from Delft University of Technology (Netherlands).

His exceptional service has been recognized with numerous accolades, including:

• Presidential Rank Award

• NASA Distinguished Service Medal

• NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal

• NASA Exceptional Service Medal

• NASA Significant Achievement Medal

The Road Ahead for NASA

With Free’s departure, NASA will continue advancing its Artemis program, deep space exploration initiatives, and international partnerships. His successor has yet to be announced, but his leadership will leave a lasting impact on the agency’s mission to return humans to the Moon and prepare for future journeys to Mars.