NASA's Curiosity Mars rover featured during 2013 inaugural parade. Photo Credit/NASA Photo
NASA rates highest in effective leadership among federal agencies, according to the recent analysis of survey data gathered by the White House Office of Personnel Management by the Partnership for Public Service, a non profit focused in improvements to government service, and Deloitte, the business consulting group.
Effective leadership contributes to job satisfaction and worker commitment, according to the Partnership’s report on the annual survey for 2012, Best Places to Work in the Federal Government, Analysis, Federal Leadership on the Decline.
NASA, as it turns out, is not declining. The space agency received a 68.1 percent rating, up from a 67 rating in 2011. In all, six of 19 federal agencies reflected year over year improvements. NASA rated at the top, just above the nation’s intelligence gathering community and the Department of State.
The score for 2012 throughout the federal government was 52.8 for 2012, a 2.1 point decline from the previous year, and a focus for concern by the Partnership in its report.
Established in 1958, NASA is focused on the human and robotic exploration of space and advancing aeronautics.
Key missions include operations and scientific research aboard the six person,U. S.led International Space Station, efforts to develop the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle and the Space Launch System, the human spacecraft and powerful rockets that will enable human explorers to reach deep space destinations, including the moon, asteroids and Mars.
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, a former astronaut, presides over ceremonies announcing the agency's retired space shuttle fleet will go on public display. Photo Credit/NASA Photo
In addition, NASA is partnered with the private sector to develop new commercial orbital transportation services for astronauts headed to the space station and other orbital destinations.
NASA has been led since 2009 by Charles Bolden, a former astronaut and retired Marine Corps major general. The agency’s deputy administrator is Lori Garver, a former special assistant to the NASA administrator and senior policy analyst for the agency’s Office of Policy and Plans. She is a former executive director of the National Space Society as well.