NASA's top official says the agency has changed how it approaches international collaboration, telling Ars Technica that he is only interested in "good deals" from partners. The remark signals a more businesslike posture for the space agency, one that prioritizes clear value over broad diplomatic goodwill.
The chief acknowledged that the old approach was different: "There was absolutely a time where we were trying to make everyone happy." That era, he suggested, is over. Going forward, international partners are likely to be evaluated more strictly on what they bring to a project.
For companies and governments working with NASA, the message is straightforward: proposals will need to stand on their own merits. The agency is no longer looking to spread participation widely, but to strike agreements that deliver concrete benefits to both sides.