@gmannVOLS
Hyams says UT may not hire an AD until May, 256 days after Hart's announced retirement
NASA estimates a trip to Mars would take 260 days
I assume that means 256 days after Hart announced his retirement (although I think the math is off a bit). But, if UT officials are contacting people now, what does it matter? Hart's retirement is effective June 30, 2017. As long as someone is hired before that, is there really an issue? For all we know, someone has been contacted and reached an agreement in principle but does not want it announced yet. In any event, I am not bothered in the least, regardless of the reasons.