Jim Free, a respected leader and long-time engineer at NASA, has announced his retirement, effective Saturday, February 22. As the Associate Administrator, Free has served as NASA’s Chief Operating Officer, overseeing more than 18,000 employees and managing an annual budget of over $25 billion.
Throughout his time at NASA, Jim Free has played a key role in many of the agency’s most important missions, combining technical expertise with a deep commitment to the people and goals of NASA. His retirement marks the end of a career spanning more than three decades of space exploration, innovation, and leadership.
Leading NASA Through Innovation and Exploration
Since becoming Associate Administrator in January 2024, Free helped NASA achieve several major milestones. Under his guidance, NASA:
- Welcomed nearly two dozen new countries to the Artemis Accords, strengthening global partnerships for lunar exploration.
- Oversaw NASA’s first Moon landing via the CLPS initiative, bringing scientific tools and tech to the Moon’s surface.
- Launched the Europa Clipper mission to study Jupiter’s icy moon, searching for signs of life.
- Received and analyzed samples from asteroid Bennu, delivered by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, revealing molecules essential for life.
These achievements reflect Free’s focus on advancing space science, technology, and international collaboration.
A Legacy of Leadership and Service
NASA Acting Administrator Janet Petro praised Free’s career, calling him a “servant leader” with a strong focus on mission success and team wellbeing. His work has not only advanced space exploration but also shaped how NASA collaborates with industry and engages the global space community.
Jim Free also played a vital role in shaping NASA’s path to Mars sample return and supported astronauts aboard the International Space Station as they conducted groundbreaking research. He pushed forward projects like NASA’s VIPER rover, which is exploring lunar water and ice resources—important for future Moon missions.
A Career Spanning Over 30 Years
Free began his career at NASA in 1990 as an engineer working on communication satellites. He later held important roles at:
- Goddard Space Flight Center (Tracking and Data Relay Satellites)
- Glenn Research Center (ISS support and Orion development)
- Johnson Space Center (joined in 2008)
- Returned to NASA Glenn in 2009, eventually becoming center director
Before being appointed as Associate Administrator, Free led the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, overseeing the successful Artemis I mission and managing the Moon to Mars architecture, a roadmap for NASA’s future deep space missions.
Honours and Education
Jim Free is a native of Northeast Ohio. He earned his bachelor’s degree in aeronautics from Miami University in Ohio and his master’s degree in space systems engineering from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.
He has received many awards, including:
- Presidential Rank Award
- NASA Distinguished Service Medal
- Outstanding Leadership Medal
- Exceptional Service Medal
- Significant Achievement Medal
Looking Ahead
While Jim Free is retiring, his legacy will continue through the missions and people he inspired. His contributions to NASA’s progress toward the Moon, Mars, and beyond will have a lasting impact.
As he said in his farewell:
“I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of the NASA family and contribute to the agency’s mission for the benefit of humanity.”
