Remember all that concern that Congressman James Oberstar might become Secretary of Transportation in the Obama Administration? Oberstar became infamous in commercial space circles four years ago when he attempted to block passage of the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act, and the following year passed a bill that would have rolled back some of its provisions. Well, those worried about the prospects of Oberstar leading the department whose jurisdiction includes the FAA and its Office of Commercial Space Transportation can rest easy: retiring Congressman Ray LaHood (R-IL) will be nominated by President-elect Obama in the coming days for the position, the Washington Post reported late Wednesday.
[…] the incoming Obama Administration picked Ray LaHood to be Secretary of Transportation in December, many commercial space advocates breathed a sigh of relief, as they had been concerned […]
[…] another shot to take action on the industry, had he so desired, as Secretary of Transportation, but he decided to remain in Congress. Few commercial spaceflight advocates, though, will likely be mourning his […]