Obama Talks, Jokes With Atlantis Crew
President Barack Obama told the astronauts aboard space shuttle Atlantis on Wednesday that they are an example of the dedication and commitment to exploration that represents America.
During a lighthearted afternoon phone call from the Oval Office, the president also asked them to check that someone was taking care of his home back in Chicago.
"Did you guys see my house?" Obama joked with the crew, which flew over Illinois earlier in the mission. "I'm trying to figure out if my lawn is getting mowed there. I haven't been back in a couple months."
More seriously, Obama told the astronauts that their dedication and commitment to exploration are traits that have always made the nation strong.
"Like a lot of Americans, I've been watching with amazement the gorgeous images that you've been sending back," the president told the astronauts as they passed over the Pacific Ocean, with the Galapagos islands some 200 miles below.
The astronauts were sent to repair the Hubble Space Telescope, a job they completed on Tuesday. Obama said his young daughters have many of the images.
"Well, I know you've excited my 10-year-old and my 7-year-old. They've got some images like that, that they prize whenever we talk about space and so by allowing Hubble to continue on its journey, you've really allowed all of us to continue on our journey for growth and exploration."Listen: Obama Calls Shuttle Astronauts
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration remains without a top official, although the president met on Tuesday with Charles Bolden, a former shuttle commander and retired Marine major general. The 62-year-old from Houston is a leading candidate to head the space agency; he would become NASA's first black administrator and second astronaut in the post.
Obama said he would nominate a candidate soon. The position requires Senate confirmation.
"I can't disclose it to you because I've got to have some hoopla on the announcement back here on Earth. But I can assure you that it's a high priority of mine to restore that sense of wonder that space can provide," Obama said.
Atlantis commander Scott Altman jokingly asked the president, "Just so we're sure, the new administrator's not any of us on the flight deck right now, is it?"
Obama laughed, and said "I'm not going to give you any hints."
Though he was joking with the president, Altman had previously nominated his crewmate John Grunsfeld for the position, notes CBS News correspondent Peter King.
Also Wednesday, Mission Control told Atlantis that its heat shield was safe for landing, but stormy weather in Florida could force Friday's landing to be rescheduled.
Landing currently is targeted for 10:01 a.m. Friday at the Kennedy Space Center. But forecasters are predicting a chance of low clouds and rain in the area and as a precaution, the astronauts were asked to power down non-essential equipment Wednesday to conserve hydrogen and oxygen used by the shuttle's fuel cell system to generate electricity, notes CBS News space analyst Bill Harwood.
As it now stands, the crew will have enough supplies to remain in orbit three days beyond Friday. NASA does not plan to staff its backup landing site at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on Friday, but depending on the weather, backup sites could be activated Saturday if necessary, Harwood writes. NASA also has several options for a Sunday landing.
At the Kennedy Space Center, engineers are continuing to work through a countdown to ready the shuttle Endeavour for launch on an emergency rescue mission if a major problem crops up that might prevent a safe re-entry.
Because the Atlantis astronauts cannot reach the International Space Station for "safe haven," Endeavour has been prepped for a quick-response launch if needed.
Astronauts had Wednesday off after releasing the Hubble a day earlier. They told reporters they were looking forward to coming home after the 11-day mission.
"I really can't wait to bring Atlantis home to Kennedy Space Center," Commander Scott Altman said before Mission Control alerted him about the weather.
They said their upgrades of the telescope showed how important it is to have humans and machines work together in space.
"What we've done is give Hubble five or maybe 10 more years of life," chief Hubble repairman John Grunsfeld said.