Swiss-born NASA science chief Zurbuchen to step down
Zurbuchen joined NASA in 2016.
Keystone/Anthony Anex
Thomas Zurbuchen, a Swiss-American astrophysicist, says he will quit as science chief of the United States space agency (NASA) at the end of this year.
This content was published on
1 minute
Reuters/Keystone-SDA/swissinfo.ch/ug
Español
es
Alto cargo suizo de la NASA considera que hay vida en satélite de Júpiter
He has served as head of the science mission directorate of the National Aeronautics and Space Agency for more than six years, shepherding the agency’s about 100 space missions.
The 54-year-old Zurbuchen notably oversaw the successful deployment of the James Webb space telescope and the Perseverance rover for the mission to the planet Mars.
“Over the years, our NASA team has reached unimaginable goals that have strengthened the program. Now is the time for change, and the opportunity to give other great leaders the chance to push the boundaries and take our program to new heights,” he announced on Tuesday.
Zurbuchen studied physics and mathematics at the Swiss university of Bern. In 2008 he became professor at the University of Michigan and joined NASA in 2016.
More
More
‘Is there life out there?’ This man’s in charge of trying to find out
This content was published on
Fifty years after the moon landing, what’s next for NASA? The man at the head of the space agency’s Science Mission Directorate tells swissinfo.ch.
Swiss study examines why women and men choose different professions
This content was published on
According to a new study, the fact that there are still prevalently female and male professions is down to the nature of the job.
Swiss president unveils new theme park dedicated to Saint Bernards
This content was published on
The new Barryland theme park in Martigny, south-western Switzerland, was officially opened on Thursday in the presence of Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter.
Swiss court rejects diplomats’ daughter’s request for permanent residence
This content was published on
The 17-year-old daughter of a diplomatic couple working in Switzerland is not entitled to a residence permit, the Federal Administrative Court has ruled.
Swiss hospitals urge faster recognition of foreign medical qualifications
This content was published on
Foreign doctors wishing to work in a Swiss hospital have to wait several months for their diplomas to be recognised, a situation the hospital association H+ calls 'untenable'.
Switzerland to introduce code of conduct for collecting referendum signatures
This content was published on
Commercial collectors of signatures for initiatives and referendums could be given a legally non-binding code of conduct. This proposal comes from the Federal Chancellery following the discovery of thousands of falsified signatures.
Priest in Switzerland accused of sexually assaulting minors
This content was published on
The trial of a priest accused of sexually abusing nine people opened on Thursday in the Ticino cantonal criminal court in Lugano, southern Switzerland.
Two out of three people in Switzerland use more than one language daily
This content was published on
Two out of three people in Switzerland regularly use several languages in their everyday lives, most often the country's national languages.
Destroyed Swiss village of Blatten to be rebuilt within four years
This content was published on
After the devastating landslide, Blatten in Valais should be standing again by 2029. Municipal president Matthias Bellwald confirmed the corresponding plans to the Keystone-SDA news agency on Wednesday, which he had presented at a municipal meeting the previous evening.
Lufthansa mulls importing its future Boeing aircraft via Switzerland
This content was published on
Buying new Boeing aircraft from the United States via Switzerland could reduce the US trade deficit with Switzerland and avoid punitive customs duties, says a newspaper report.
Swiss environment minister ‘hopeful’ plastic pollution treaty within reach
This content was published on
Swiss Environment Minister Albert Rösti said he's "hopeful until the end" that an ambitious agreement against plastic pollution can be negotiated by the end of the year.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Space telescope detects carbon dioxide on an exoplanet
This content was published on
Researchers behind the James Webb Space Telescope have detected CO2 in the atmosphere of WASP-39b, a planet located outside the solar system.
‘Awesome’ to be involved in historic Mars rover landing, says Swiss firm
This content was published on
NASA science rover ‘Perseverance’ has landed safely on Mars as part of its search for traces of microbial life on the Red Planet.
‘Is there life out there?’ This man’s in charge of trying to find out
This content was published on
Fifty years after the moon landing, what's next for NASA? The man at the head of the space agency's Science Mission Directorate tells swissinfo.ch.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.