• Source:JND
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NASA has announced the appointment of Amit Kshatriya, an Indian-American robotics engineer with two decades of experience at the agency, as its new associate administrator, the highest-ranking civil service role within the US space agency. Acting NASA Administrator Sean P Duffy made the announcement on September 3, 2025, praising Kshatriya’s leadership in advancing America’s human space exploration goals.

In his new role, Kshatriya will serve as the agency’s chief operating officer and principal advisor to the administrator. He will oversee NASA’s ten centre directors and mission directorate associate administrators at headquarters in Washington, D.C. He will guide the Artemis Moon missions and the broader Moon to Mars program, which form the centrepiece of US space exploration policy.

Duffy highlighted that the appointment aligns with the Trump administration’s push to strengthen American space leadership, noting that Kshatriya’s “decades of experience and exploration-focused vision” make him the right leader for the role.

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Veteran Of NASA’s Missions

Kshatriya joined NASA in 2003 and has since built a distinguished career. He is among only about 100 individuals in history to have served as a mission control flight director. He was the lead flight director for the 50th expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), a role that earned him the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal.

He also received the Silver Snoopy Award, a rare honour given directly by astronauts for exceptional contributions to flight safety, for his work as lead robotics officer during the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services Dragon demonstration mission.

Most recently, he served as the deputy head of NASA’s Moon to Mars Program, under the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, before stepping into his new position.

Roots And Education

Born in Wisconsin to Indian immigrant parents, Kshatriya embodies the growing presence of the Indian diaspora in global leadership roles. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the California Institute of Technology (CalTech) in 2000, followed by advanced studies in mechanical engineering at the University of Texas at Austin.

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Kshatriya began his NASA career as a software and robotics engineer, working on the robotic assembly of the ISS. Over the years, he transitioned into leadership roles, combining technical expertise with strategic vision.