Longtime NASA Commercial Space Chief McAlister Out

NASA has replaced its longtime Commercial Space Division chief Phil McAlister, who oversaw the agency’s Commercial Crew and other programs to tap the resources and interests of private sector companies with unique partnership structures.

In a LinkedIn post on Aug. 19, NASA’s International Space Station Director Robyn Gatens wrote that she had been asked to step in as the acting director of the Commercial Spaceflight Division, a job she will do in addition to overseeing the station program.

McAlister is now a senior advisor at NASA Headquarters.

In response to several queries from Aviation Week, NASA said: “NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate recently made changes in personnel assignments within the directorate to focus attention on key areas of the agency’s efforts in low Earth orbit and with commercial space development.

“Robyn Gatens is serving as the acting director of NASA’s Commercial Spaceflight Division, in addition to her role as the director of the International Space Station Division. Gatens will advance synergy between the divisions as the agency develops goals and objectives for NASA’s future activities in low Earth orbit and plan a successful transition from the International Space Station to a new generation of commercially owned and operated destinations.

“Phil McAlister now is serving as a senior advisor to the associate administrator for Space Operations. McAlister will provide leadership strategic guidance on all aspects of the agency’s commercial activity using his years of experience in the development of commercial crew and cargo transportation services. The role has become a directorate-level advisor function to benefit all Space Operations programs.”