William Gerstenmaier is no longer leading the way //

The head of NASA’s human exploration program has been replaced within the agency, just months after Vice President Mike Pence challenged NASA to send humans to the Moon within the next five years. The move is the latest in a couple of high-profile executive changes NASA has made in recent months as the agency strives to return humans to the lunar surface. //

Another high profile NASA employee, Bill Hill, has also been reassigned — from deputy associate administrator of human exploration to another special advisor position. Effectively, NASA’s first and second in command of humans in space have been replaced at the same time.