Bolden Nominated as NASA Administrator; Shuttle Landing Delayed
Written by Nancy Atkinson
Obama and a White House Aide met with Charles Bolden on May 19. Official White House photo by Pete Souza.
About the same time space shuttle Atlantis' landing was waved off today due to continued rainy weather in Florida, the White House announced that former shuttle commander Charles Bolden Jr. will be nominated as NASA's next administrator. President Obama also chose Lori Garver to be Bolden's deputy administrator. Obama said, "These talented individuals will help put NASA on course to boldly push the boundaries of science, aeronautics and exploration in the 21st century and ensure the long-term vibrancy of America's space program."
Several different sources expect Bolden to be a strong proponent of manned spaceflight, since he has flown on the shuttle four times, with over 680 hours in space. Many believe he will also be strongly in favor of the Constellation program, as well as support the efforts of some members of Congress who would like to see the life of the space shuttle extended beyond 2010.
Bolden and Garver will have to be approved by Congress, which can sometimes be a lengty process. Let's hope not – over four months without an official administrator is long enough.
Bolden will have his work cut out for him, as NASA has a lot on its plate, but no real growth in its budget. The fiscal year 2010 budget request of $18.686 billion includes $456M increase for science and $630M increase for Exploration. Some of that increase is because of the one-time Recovery Act stimulus money. Future budget proposals for fiscal years 2011, 2012, 2013 also are also relatively flat. NASA Watch.com reported several sources say Bolden expressed concern at his meeting with President Obama because he was told that further cuts to human spaceflight in future budgets might be needed.
STS-125 Commander Scott Altman (left) and pilot Greg Johnson use a software program to practice landing the shuttle. Credit: NASA
Meanwhile, the crew of STS-125 will stay on orbit another day. NASA officials are still hoping the shuttle can land at Kennedy Space Center in Florida rather than Edwards Air Force Base in California.
The astronauts will have two opportunities to land in Florida Sunday and two at Edwards. The first Florida opportunity, the astronauts would fire Atlantis' twin braking rockets at 8:58 am EDT with landing at 10:11 am. A second Florida landing opportunity is available at 11:49 am.
Friday's landing attempt was also canceled because of rain, low clouds and lightning. The forecast for Sunday is marginal, with clouds and rain expected, but flight controllers are hopeful conditions will improve.
Filed under: NASA, Space Flight, Space Shuttle
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May 23rd, 2009 at 2:57 pm
"To Bolden go where no black man has gone before."
Sorry, someone had to say it.
Hmm, an astronaut combined with further cuts doesn't bode well for research. Instead the whole structure would probably need an overhaul, keeping the name and goodwill while trying out new ways of national and international competition and cooperation.
Oh well, at least it seems like a good choice of administrator, and breaking a wall to boot.
May 23rd, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Weather cooperating, I'm hoping for a Florida landing since the track takes it near Tampa, so I may be able to hear the double sonic boom! It's been awhile
May 23rd, 2009 at 3:56 pm
I'm sure Mr. Bolden is competent. Unfortunately Mr. Obama talked about cutting NASA in favor of education before he was elected. And, now, there is talk of cutting the moon base/colony program. His new program seems to be Mars for the robots and the moon for China. How sad for the United States. China must be ecstatic.
May 23rd, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Bolden is a competent test pilot and astronaut.
The question is if he's got engineering cred?
The problem that NASA is having will be in defending the constellation program as it moves past every phase and each new hurdle (and, being a rocket, you know there will be kinks).
Hopefully Bolden will be able to successfully argue in favor of Manned spaceflight and the Moon/Mars program. Rather than turning those decisions over to an administration that is admittedly not interested in such pursuits.
May 23rd, 2009 at 11:58 pm
I actually believe that this would be the best way to go, the fastest and most economical way forward for Real Science in space exploration.
Perhaps co-operate with the Chinese space agency to host an American experiment or two… perhaps in return for hosting Chinese experiments on those robotic Mars missions – laying to rest those (imo) silly National Prestige issues.
Look at the LHC as an example for what pooling resources an a grand international scale can achieve.
So, going against the general opinion trend of comments on the Internet, I'm hoping that NASA will adopt a policy of improved efficiency on many levels, especially economy, through broad co-operation with other agencies.
May 24th, 2009 at 12:03 am
nice picture. looks very professional.
May 24th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Great. Now maybe the new Administrator can begin using CFR-1275; Investigation of Research Misconduct filed by NASA in the federal register during the Bush administration. Since Griffin had very little incentive to use the law we can start with a new slate and move forward.
http://www.bccmeteorites.com/misconduct-planetary.html
May 26th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
hi guys, great to meet you. expect some serious funding cuts at nasa soon