Larry D. James

Larry D. James
James as shown as a Lt. General in 2011
Interim Director of the
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
In office
August 21, 2021 – May 16, 2022
Preceded byMichael M. Watkins
Succeeded byLaurie Leshin
Personal details
Born1956 (age 67–68)
Military career
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Air Force
Years of service1978–2013
RankLieutenant General
Commands14th Air Force
Joint Functional Component Command for Space
50th Space Wing
614th Space Operations Group
5th Space Launch Squadron
45th Spacecraft Operations Squadron
AwardsDefense Superior Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit (4)
Bronze Star Medal

Lieutenant General Larry D. James is a former senior officer in the United States Air Force and is currently a civilian NASA administrator. He is the deputy director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory,[1] where he also acted as the interim director from August 21, 2021 to May 16, 2022.[2] He acts as the Laboratory's Chief Operating Officer responsible to the Director for the day-to-day management of JPL's resources and activities. This includes managing the Laboratory's solar system exploration, Mars, astronomy, physics, Earth science, interplanetary network programs, and all business operations. These activities employ 5000 scientists, engineers, technicians, and business support personnel, generating $1.8 billion in annual revenues. Prior to his current role, he served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Headquarters United States Air Force. James' prior commands included the 14th Air Force and Joint Functional Component Command for Space from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

  1. ^ Segal, Matthew (August 9, 2021). "JPL Director Michael Watkins to Return to Academia". NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Retrieved 2021-09-09.
  2. ^ Platt, Jane (September 18, 2013). "Retiring JPL Deputy Director Passes the Torch". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 2013-10-06.