3 in High-Level Posts at Space Agency to Retire

James Odom, chief of NASA’s space station project, Jon McBride, shuttle commander, and Noel Hinners, the agency’s third-ranking manager, plan to retire from the space agency, officials said Monday.

McBride, veteran of a 1984 shuttle flight, had been in training to serve as commander of the shuttle Columbia for a Spacelab astronomy mission scheduled for launch early next year.

But McBride, who is expected to run for office in his home state of West Virginia, plans to retire from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration effective May 12. He will be replaced as commander of Columbia’s mission by veteran shuttle crew member Vance Brand.

Odom and Hinners said they are resigning because of concern about a new federal law that prohibits managers from leaving government and taking jobs in private industry in the same area they were responsible for in government.

Under the wording of the legislation, if Odom retired after May 16, he would not be able to work for a space station contractor, for example, for three years.

“After 33 years, I’ve decided to make a career change,” Odom said in a statement. “I regret the timing of my decision but the impact of some upcoming changes on government retirees made it such that I did not get to pick the most desirable or optimum time to retire.”

Hinners, associate deputy administrator of NASA, said he plans to retire effective May 14.