On the 27th of February NASA formally named Nicola Fox, the head of the heliophysics (solar physics) division and the top scientist working on the well-known Parker Probe to the Sun's outer Corona as its new science lead.

Bill Nelson, NASA's chief, cited Fox's previous work on the missions aimed to provide a better understanding of solar activity, solar wind, and their effects on satellites and planets.

"She has been instrumental in making this complex area accessible to the public," Nelson said. "Her work already spans so many areas of importance to the agency."

With a dedicated annual budget of 7 billion dollars for the Science directorate Fox will oversee projects ranging from the operation of the James Webb Space Telescope to automated missions to unveil past life on Mars.

Picture:  Nicola Fox, speaks during a preview briefing on NASA's Parker Solar Probe at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre, July 20, 2018, Source: Reuters.