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Obama names US space agency head Obama names US space agency head
(20 minutes later)
President Barack Obama has chosen retired astronaut Charles Bolden to lead Nasa, ending months of speculation over who would lead the space agency.President Barack Obama has chosen retired astronaut Charles Bolden to lead Nasa, ending months of speculation over who would lead the space agency.
Lori Garver, a former Nasa official and space adviser to the Obama campaign, was named as his deputy. Both positions require US Senate confirmation.Lori Garver, a former Nasa official and space adviser to the Obama campaign, was named as his deputy. Both positions require US Senate confirmation.
If confirmed, Maj-Gen Bolden, 62, would be only the second astronaut to lead Nasa during its 50-year history.If confirmed, Maj-Gen Bolden, 62, would be only the second astronaut to lead Nasa during its 50-year history.
Vice-Adm Richard Truly, who ran Nasa from 1989-1992, was the first.Vice-Adm Richard Truly, who ran Nasa from 1989-1992, was the first.
"He's a real leader," George Abbey, a former head of Nasa's Johnson Space Center in Houston, and friend of the major-general, told the Associated Press news agency."He's a real leader," George Abbey, a former head of Nasa's Johnson Space Center in Houston, and friend of the major-general, told the Associated Press news agency.
"Nasa has been looking for a leader like this that they could have confidence in.""Nasa has been looking for a leader like this that they could have confidence in."
ChallengesChallenges
Maj-Gen Bolden joined Nasa in 1980, and flew on four space shuttle missions. He commanded the mission that launched the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit in 1990. Maj-Gen Bolden grew up in segregated South Carolina and flew on more than 100 combat sorties in Vietnam.
He joined Nasa in 1980 and is a veteran of four space shuttle flights. He commanded the mission that launched the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit in 1990.
He inherits the space agency at a critical time in its history.He inherits the space agency at a critical time in its history.
In 2004, President George W Bush instigated ambitious plans to return astronauts to the Moon by 2020, necessitating the replacement of the shuttle by a new space vehicle.In 2004, President George W Bush instigated ambitious plans to return astronauts to the Moon by 2020, necessitating the replacement of the shuttle by a new space vehicle.
However, the new Ares-Orion vehicle is not expected to be ready until 2015.However, the new Ares-Orion vehicle is not expected to be ready until 2015.
So for five years after the shuttle's retirement in 2010, American astronauts will be dependent on Russia to fly them into orbit on their space capsule, Soyuz.So for five years after the shuttle's retirement in 2010, American astronauts will be dependent on Russia to fly them into orbit on their space capsule, Soyuz.
In addition, some of Nasa's biggest science programmes are over-budget.In addition, some of Nasa's biggest science programmes are over-budget.
There has been uncertainty over the Obama administration's policy on space.There has been uncertainty over the Obama administration's policy on space.
But science adviser John Holdren has said the policy would be outlined after a Nasa chief was named.But science adviser John Holdren has said the policy would be outlined after a Nasa chief was named.
Earlier this year, retired Air Force General Scott Gration was said to be favoured for the position. However, his bid ran into opposition on Capitol Hill. Earlier this year, retired Air Force General Scott Gration was said to be favoured for the position. However, his bid reportedly ran into opposition on Capitol Hill.
In April, the previous Nasa administrator, Dr Michael Griffin, joined the University of Alabama in Huntsville as a professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering.In April, the previous Nasa administrator, Dr Michael Griffin, joined the University of Alabama in Huntsville as a professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering.