NASA chief technologist to leave agency

The first NASA chief technologist in a decade is leaving the agency to return to Atlanta's Georgia Institute of Technology.

Bobby Braun, who came to the space agency two years ago through an agreement with Georgia Tech, will leave in October, NASA said. As NASA's chief technologist, Braun was a top adviser on technology policy and programs.

"Bobby has rebuilt our basic and applied research capabilities, created technology programs to enable our agency's future success, and clearly articulated the importance of NASA's technology investments as an integral component of our nation's space policy," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said in a statement.

Joseph Parrish, the deputy chief technologist, will serve as acting NASA chief technologist.

In a preliminary report released last week, the National Research Council concluded that NASA's technology base is "largely depleted." Uncertainty over the agency's goals have undermined efforts to develop new technology, the report found.