Nation IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : Chief of Space Shuttle Program Resigns

The head of NASA’s space shuttle program resigned after expressing concern to space agency officials about cost-cutting measures that will change the program’s management structure. Bryan D. O’Connor, 49, a former astronaut and Marine Corps pilot, said he will leave the program at the end of the month “to pursue other interests.” His departure comes as NASA moves to transfer responsibility for shuttle flight operations to a private contractor called the United Space Alliance, formed last fall by Lockheed Martin and Rockwell International. The change is part of NASA’s effort to make cut the $3.2-billion annual shuttle budget in response to pressure from the White House and Congress.