The director of NASA's Johnson Space Center Vanessa Wyche in Houston has been tapped to take on the role of associate administrator at NASA. Wyche will be replacing Jim Free, who recently announced his retirement after 30 years at the agency.

Vanessa Wyche, who has led NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston since 2021, is being promoted to acting associate administrator.

The head of NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston is moving to the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., for a big new role.

The Johnson Space Center will have a new acting director following leadership changes throughout NASA, including the promotion of Vanessa Wyche, who has served as director of Johnson Space Center since 2021,