Aides to the California Democrat confirmed the timing and said Gov. Gavin Newsom was aware of her decision, clearing the way for him to appoint fellow Democrat Alex Padilla, now California's secretary of state, to serve the final two years of Harris' term.
The four companies selected by NASA are Colorado-based Lunar Outpost of Golden; Masten Space Systems of Mojave, California; ispace Europe of Luxembourg; and ispace Japan of Tokyo
