Bruh at NASA

[Lone Dog]

Marine general, ex-astronaut tapped as top NASA deputy
February 1, 2002 Posted: 12:10 PM EST (1710 GMT)


Bolden commanding the shuttle Atlantis in 1992

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AP) -- A former South Carolina astronaut is President Bush's choice for the number two job at NASA.

President Bush says he'll nominate Marine General Charles Bolden, of Columbia, as deputy administrator of the space agency. New NASA chief Sean O'Keefe says he couldn't ask for a more qualified partner.

Bolden commands the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in San Diego. He flew as a space shuttle pilot in 1986 and 1990 and as a shuttle commander in 1992 and 1994.

The 55-year-old also served as assistant deputy administrator at NASA headquarters in Washington. He left NASA and returned to active duty in the Marine Corps in 1994.

A Marine pilot in Vietnam, Bolden went on to become a test pilot before joining NASA in 1980. His nomination is subject to Senate confirmation.

ROOOO to Bro. General Bolden