NASA’s OTPS Wants to Hire Chief Technologist

NASA’s Office of Technology, Policy and Strategy wants to hire a chief technologist who will improve commercial partnerships.

Bhavya Lal, associate administrator of the Office of Technology, Policy and Strategy, said she talked to several chief technologists from NASA centers to understand what the office should look for. Lal shared that she wants to hire someone from Silicon Valley, a venture capital fund or other avenues to try and change the culture at the space agency. NASA normally taps chief technologists from academia through the Intergovernmental Personnel Act, FedScoop reported Tuesday.

Lal said NASA has to improve its partnerships with the private sector, especially after the agency established milestone-based partnerships like the Commercial Crew programs and the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, which were made possible through private-public relationships. The space agency wants to achieve the same level of success with the Human Landing System program while it continues to improve partnerships with the private industry on technology development.

Lal’s office is also tasked with solving big-picture questions like future space vehicles and potential refueling problems and solutions. She noted that although it is not yet clear if her office will release strategic or actions plans, it will work with other mission directorates to support NASA’s future plans. The official also hopes that the space agency will institutionalize her office.

The Office of Technology, Policy and Strategy was the result of the merger between the offices of Strategic Engagement and Assessment and the Chief Technologist. The combination was designed to improve the quality of advice that NASA leaders receive regarding mission-related technology use.