Anderson confirmed as NASA deputy administrator

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate confirmed Matt Anderson on May 18 as NASA’s deputy administrator, the second-in-command of the space agency.

The Senate voted 46-43 along party lines to confirm a group of nominees to various government positions, including Anderson as NASA deputy administrator.

Anderson, a retired Air Force colonel, was first nominated by the Trump administration in May 2025. The nomination was returned by the Senate at the end of the year after it did not act on it, and the White House renominated Anderson in January, about a month after Jared Isaacman was confirmed as administrator.

At a March 5 confirmation hearing, Anderson said he would work with Isaacman to advance a national space policy that calls for returning NASA astronauts to the moon by 2028 and establishing a lunar base.

“If confirmed, I will reinforce the culture of safety, accountability and transparency that Administrator Isaacman has recently outlined to NASA as well as the American public,” he said at the hearing.

He said that getting humans to the moon before China lands its first astronauts there was the “absolute highest priority” for the agency.

Anderson received bipartisan support at the hearing, and the committee voted 23-5 to advance the nomination to the full Senate on March 12.

“As deputy administrator, Anderson will help oversee NASA’s operations and strategic initiatives as the agency works to deliver on President Trump’s National Space Policy and strengthen America’s leadership in space,” NASA said in a statement after the Senate confirmed Anderson.

With Anderson’s confirmation, NASA has filled two of its four positions that require Senate confirmation. The White House does not have active nominations for the other two positions, chief financial officer and inspector general.