WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP):  Indian American space veteran Amit Kshatriya has been appointed as the associate administrator of NASA, the top civil-service role at the U.S. space agency. The announcement was made Wednesday, September 3,  by Acting Administrator Sean P. Duffy, who praised Kshatriya’s leadership in advancing America’s next era of space exploration.

In his new role, Kshatriya will serve as chief operating officer of NASA, overseeing the agency’s ten center directors and mission directorate associate administrators. He will also act as the principal advisor to Administrator Duffy, placing him at the helm of day-to-day operations and long-term strategy.

A 20-year NASA veteran, Kshatriya previously served as deputy head of the Moon to Mars Program within the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate. He played a central role in developing the Artemis program, which aims to land astronauts on the Moon and prepare for humanity’s first mission to Mars.

Kshatriya joined NASA in 2003 and has since risen through the ranks with a series of key assignments. He was one of only about 100 people in history to serve as a mission control flight director. His career highlights include leading the International Space Station’s 50th Expedition as flight director and serving as lead robotics officer during the Cargo Dragon demonstration mission. He has been recognized with NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal and the Silver Snoopy Award, presented by astronauts for contributions to crew safety.

Educated at the California Institute of Technology (B.S. in Mathematics) and the University of Texas at Austin (mechanical engineering), Kshatriya is widely respected for combining technical expertise with strategic vision.

Duffy noted that Kshatriya’s elevation reflects NASA’s focus on making the Artemis program the centerpiece of its mission. “Amit’s leadership and experience will be instrumental as we return astronauts to the Moon and prepare for the next giant leap—sending humans to Mars,” he said.

The appointment also comes as the U.S. seeks to strengthen partnerships with the commercial space industry and maintain its competitive edge in the face of global challenges, particularly from China’s ambitious space program.

With this milestone, Kshatriya joins a growing list of Indian Americans at the forefront of U.S. science and technology leadership, underscoring the community’s expanding role in shaping the future of space exploration.