NBAA Congratulates Bill Nelson on Swearing-In as NASA Administrator

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) congratulates former senator and NASA shuttle astronaut Bill Nelson on his swearing in as the next NASA administrator.

In 2016, NBAA recognized Nelson’s efforts on behalf of business aviation with its Meritorious Service to Aviation Award. Nelson has also been a frequent speaker at NBAA’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE). Learn more about NBAA’s recognition of Sen. Nelson.

In January 1986, Nelson became the second sitting member of Congress to fly into orbit, spending six days onboard the space shuttle Columbia as a payload specialist for the STS-61-C mission.

A lifelong Floridian, Nelson served in the state legislature from 1972-1978 before representing Florida’s 9th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1978-1990. He was elected in 2000 to the U.S. Senate, where he served three terms.