Posted: Wed, Oct 1, 2008, 8:02 AM ET (1202 GMT)
A former astronaut has been tapped to become the new director of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, replacing the current director, who is taking a job in the private sector. Robert Cabana, the current head of the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, will become director of KSC in mid-October, replacing current director Bill Parsons. Cabana was a n astronaut who flew on four shuttle missions between 1990 and 1998 and also served other key positions, including head of the astronaut office, before becoming Stennis director a year ago. Parsons is leaving NASA to take a job with Lockheed Martin Mission Services. Canaba will be succeeded on an interim basis at Stennis by deputy director Gene Goldman.

Related Links:

•  Florida Today article
•  AP article
•  NASA press release