Obama names first African American NASA chief

WASHINGTON, May 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama Saturday picked a former astronaut as the first African American head of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

The White House announced that the president has chosen Charles Bolden as the NASA chief, and also planned to nominate his campaign space advisor, Lori Garver, as NASA's deputy administrator.

Astronaut Charles F. Bolden Jr. seen in NASA handout photo  from 1991.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

"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," Obama said in a statement.

Bolden, 62, has served at several technical and administrative posts at the space agency, including the assistant deputy administrator, before he left in 1994. He flew in space four times.

If Obama's nomination is confirmed by Charles Bolden, Bolden would be the space agency's first black administrator and the second astronaut to hold the post.