Amit Kshatriya: An Indian-American appointed as Associate Administrator and COO at NASA leading Moon and Mars mission |

Indian American Amit Kshatriya, a 20-year NASA veteran, has been appointed affiliate administrator, the highest-ranking civil service publish at the US house company. Acting NASA Administrator Sean P. Duffy introduced the appointment on September 3, 2025, highlighting Kshatriya’s a long time of expertise and strategic management in advancing human house exploration.As the company’s high civil servant, Kshatriya will information NASA’s Artemis Moon missions and future Mars exploration applications, serving as the principal advisor to Duffy and overseeing the company’s 10 heart administrators together with mission directorate affiliate directors at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

NASA appoints Amit Kshatriya as head of American Space Exploration Efforts

Acting Administrator Sean Duffy emphasised that Kshatriya’s appointment aligns with the Trump administration’s imaginative and prescient for American house management. Duffy said:“Amit has spent more than two decades advancing American leadership in space. Under his guidance, NASA will chart a bold vision to return to the Moon and pave the way for Mars exploration.”The administration views house not solely as a frontier for exploration but in addition as an financial engine, selling partnerships with business house firms and enhancing US competitiveness in opposition to China.

Amit Kshatriya: Family, schooling, and a journey to NASA

Amit Kshatriya was born in Brookfield, Wisconsin, and considers Katy, Texas, his hometown. He holds:

Kshatriya is the son of first-generation Indian immigrants to the United States. He and his spouse are proud mother and father of three youngsters, balancing a demanding profession with household life.

Amit Kshatriya’s NASA journey: From Robotics Engineer to Veteran Space Operations Leader

As reported by NASA, Kshatriya’s profession at NASA started in 2003 as a software program engineer, robotics engineer, and spacecraft operator, specializing in the robotic meeting of the International Space Station (ISS). Notable achievements embrace:

His operational background, from robotics to flight route, gives a novel mix of technical and strategic experience, making him one of the vital seasoned leaders in American house exploration.

Kshatriya at NASA: Steering Moon and Mars applications with strategic experience

Prior to this appointment, Kshatriya served as deputy affiliate administrator for the Moon to Mars Program inside NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD). In this pivotal function, he oversaw:Program planning and execution for crewed missions to the Moon and MarsAlignment of Artemis and Mars mission growth with company necessitiesRisk administration and strategic program oversightKshatriya additionally acted as the point of interest for integrating advanced mission operations, guaranteeing easy coordination between spacecraft growth, mission planning, and operational execution. His expertise straight contributed to NASA’s Artemis I mission, which returned a human-capable spacecraft designed for lunar exploration.

Kshatriya’s strategic management in NASA’s Space Systems and Artemis applications

Before leading the Moon to Mars Program, Kshatriya served as performing deputy affiliate administrator for the Common Exploration Systems Development Division. In this capability, he directed:

His management helped combine NASA’s Moon-to-Mars aims, guaranteeing that spacecraft, launch programs, and floor operations labored seamlessly to fulfill formidable mission timelines.

Kshatriya’s prestigious NASA awards and contributions

As reported by NASA, Kshatriya’s contributions have been extensively recognised. His honors embrace:

These awards spotlight his dedication to mission success, innovation, and operational excellence.Also Read | ‘Let’s get spinning’: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla offers uncommon look at NASA’s multi-axis coach and house coaching