Bolden to be named NASA chief this morning

Charlie Bolden will be named NASA Administrator this morning, according to Washington sources.

As expected for more than a week now, President Barack Obama has selected the former astronaut and Marine Corps veteran to lead the nation's space agency. (Bolden is pictured at top left, in the pilot's seat before re-entry on one of his shuttle missions).

However, sources are telling space media outlets including FLORIDA TODAY the appointment is being timed to the landing of the space shuttle Atlantis and seven astronauts later this morning at Kennedy Space Center or Edwards Air Force Base.

NBC News' Jay Barbree and the Orlando Sentinel reported this morning the announcement could be today. Sources confirmed that this morning and a White House public announcement was expected during the 8 a.m. hour, FLORIDA TODAY has learned.

Bolden met with Obama on Tuesday morning at the White House to talk over the position, a meeting announced in advance by the White House, which telegraphed at the time that Bolden was on the verge of being picked. Bolden had been on the short list of candidates since Mike Griffin's resignation became effective on Jan. 20.

Bolden flew the space shuttle four times -- twice as a pilot and twice as a commander. His biggest lobbyist in Washington was U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, a Democrat on key committees overseeing NASA. The White House had pitched other candidates to Senate leaders, including Nelson, but he held firm for his old friend. Nelson had flown with Bolden on a space shuttle mission in 1985.

Eun Kim reported from Washington and Todd Halvorson reported from Kennedy Space Center for this report.