President Barack Obama called the crew of the shuttle Atlantis late Wednesday and congratulated the astronauts on the successful overhaul of the Hubble Space Telescope. He also promised to name a new NASA administrator soon, although he provided no clues as to who might get the nod.

President Barack Obama talks on the telephone to the crew of Atlantis from the Oval Office. Credit: Official White House photo by Pete Souza

"We're soon going to have a new NASA administrator," Obama told the astronauts. "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 and to make sure we've got a strong sense of mission, not just within NASA but to the country as a whole."

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."

"Thank you very much, fair enough, sir," Altman said.

Charles F. Bolden Jr., a former fighter pilot, Marine Corps major general and veteran space shuttle commander, is widely rumored to be the top candidate for the job. Bolden met with Obama at the White House on Tuesday.

During today's phone call to the Atlantis astronauts, Obama said "I wanted to personally tell you how proud I am of all of you and everything that you've accomplished."

"Like a lot of Americans, I've been watching with amazement the gorgeous images you've been sending back and the incredible repair mission you've been making in space," he said. "I think you're providing a wonderful example of the kind of dedication and commitment to exploration that represents America and the space program generally. These are traits that have always made this country strong and all of you personify them."

"Well thank you very much, sir," Altman replied. "I think you are exactly right, this mission has been an example of what our country can do as we work together. It's been the teamwork of all the folks on the ground, in addition to the folks outside spacewalking, making this all come together and work for us."

The president said watching the Hubble repair spacewalks was "amazing, and Dr. Grunsfeld, I was moved by your observation that the Hubble is more than just a satellite, but an iconic symbol of our quest for knowldge. I thought that captures accurately the work that you guys are doing."

Lead spacewalker John Grunsfeld told Obama "it's almost impossible to go into any K-through-12 classroom these days and not see Hubble images on the walls, inspiring kids to do great things and maybe some of them to become astronauts some day and push our frontiers even further."

"Well, I know you've excited my 10-year-old and my 7-year-old," Obama said. "By allowing Hubble to continue on its journey, you've really allowed all of us to continue on our journey of growth and exploration. You know, here in Washington, there's a lot of talk about clarifying our focus, our vision for where the country needs to go. And I really think that what you guys represent is an example of what 'vision' means.

"The space program's always described our willingness to stretch beyond current boundaries and to look at things in new ways," Obama said. "So in that way, you inspire us all and I'm hoping you guys recognize how important your mission is to the world as well as to this country."

The Atlantis' crew in-orbit portrait taken Wednesday. Credit: NASA

NASA's Mission Management Team, meanwhile, completed a detailed review of imagery and laser scans from a late inspection of the shuttle Atlantis' heat shield Tuesday. MMT Chairman LeRoy Cain said the team gave Atlantis a clean bill of health and cleared the ship for re-entry and landing Friday, weather permitting.

"In the Mission Management Team (meeting) today, we had the opportunity to review the results," said MMT Chairman LeRoy Cain. "As you know, yesterday the crew performed the late inspection of the wing leading edge and the reinforced carbon carbon of the nose cap. They pored over all that data throughout the evening and this morning, and at the Mission Management Team today, they reviewed that data with us and the results are we don't have any issues as it relates to the thermal protection system ... So we have cleared the TPS and the vehicle for safe deorbit, entry and landing. That was a great milestone for us."

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.

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.

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.

Going into the Hubble Space Telescope repair mission, NASA managers planned to release Endeavour from rescue stand by duty after Atlantis' heat shield was cleared for entry.

But Cain said he decided to keep Endeavour on standby at least through Thursday and possibly as late as Atlantis' deorbit rocket firing Friday "because I can, and it doesn't affect (Endeavour's next flight in June)."

"I was willing to go as late as deorbit on Friday," he said. "I'm going to evaluate that again tomorrow."

Because Atlantis is near the end of its mission, most of its on-board supplies have been used up and even with the power downs implemented today, the crew will run out of oxygen for its fuel cells by some point late Monday or Tuesday. For Endeavour to have any chance of reaching the crew in time, should something prevent a normal re-entry, the rescue shuttle would have to take off by Saturday or Sunday at the latest.

Cain said mission managers do not anticipate any such problems and expect Atlantis to make a normal re-entry on its own. But in the meantime, NASA is protecting its options as planned.

Additional coverage for subscribers:
VIDEO: PRESIDENT OBAMA CALLS THE ATLANTIS ASTRONAUTS PLAY
VIDEO: ATLANTIS' HEAT SHIELD OFFICIALLY CLEARED FOR ENTRY PLAY
VIDEO: SHIP-TO-SHIP CALL BETWEEN ATLANTIS AND STATION PLAY
VIDEO: CREW'S IN-FLIGHT NEWS CONFERENCE PLAY

VIDEO: STATION CREW'S WATER TASTE-TEST CEREMONY PLAY

VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 9 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
VIDEO: HST SCIENTIST CRITICIZES SHUTTLE RETIREMENT PLAY
VIDEO: HUBBLE DEPLOYED FROM THE SPACE SHUTTLE PLAY
VIDEO: TUESDAY'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
VIDEO: COMMANDER SCOTT ALTMAN'S COMMENTS AFTER DEPLOY PLAY
VIDEO: HUBBLE IS HOISTED OUT OF THE PAYLOAD BAY PLAY
VIDEO: ATLANTIS' ROBOT ARM GRAPPLES THE TELESCOPE PLAY
VIDEO: PREVIEW OF HST DEPLOY AND ATLANTIS INSPECTIONS PLAY

VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 8 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
VIDEO: MONDAY NIGHT UPDATE FROM HST CONTROL CENTER PLAY
VIDEO: MONDAY'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
VIDEO: HUBBLE'S HIGH-GAIN ANTENNA BOOMS UNFOLDED PLAY
VIDEO: COVER PUT ON HUBBLE ANTENNA AS EVA CONCLUDES PLAY
VIDEO: REFLECTING ON THE MISSION AS SPACEWALK NEARS END PLAY
VIDEO: SHEET OF THERMAL COVERING ADDED TO BAY 7 DOOR PLAY
VIDEO: NEW THERMAL SHIELDING PANEL PUT ON BAY 8 DOOR PLAY
VIDEO: DEGRADED THERMAL BLANKET PEELED OFF BAY 5 DOOR PLAY
VIDEO: THE OLD FINE GUIDANCE SENSOR STOWED FOR LANDING PLAY
VIDEO: UPGRADED FINE GUIDANCE SENSOR INSTALLED IN HUBBLE PLAY
VIDEO: OLD FINE GUIDANCE SENSOR REMOVED FROM TELESCOPE PLAY
VIDEO: SPACEWALKERS STRUGGLE WITH BOLTS AND LATCHES PLAY
VIDEO: REPLACEMENT OF HUBBLE'S 19-YEAR-OLD BATTERIES PLAY
VIDEO: SPACEWALKERS EMERGE FROM AIRLOCK TO START EVA PLAY
VIDEO: NARRATED PREVIEW OF SPACEWALK NO. 5 PLAY

VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 7 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
VIDEO: SUNDAY NIGHT UPDATE FROM HST CONTROL CENTER PLAY
VIDEO: SUNDAY'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
VIDEO: SPACE TELESCOPE IMAGING SPECTROGRAPH WORK DONE PLAY
VIDEO: OPENING COVER ON THE ELECTRONICS MODULE ON STIS PLAY
VIDEO: SPACEWALKER MIKE MASSIMINO REMOVES TINY SCREWS PLAY
VIDEO: TRIP FROM AIRLOCK BACK WITH SPARE POWER TOOL PLAY
VIDEO: CAPTURE PLATE MOUNTED ONTO STIS POWER MODULE PLAY
VIDEO: MASSIMINO FIGHTS WITH STUCK BOLT ON HANDRAIL PLAY
VIDEO: SPACEWALKERS GET ORGANIZED FOR STIS REPAIR PLAY
VIDEO: NARRATED PREVIEW OF SPACEWALK NO. 4 PLAY
VIDEO: FLIGHT DIRECTOR'S PREVIEW OF MISSION'S DAY 7 PLAY

VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 6 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
VIDEO: SATURDAY NIGHT UPDATE FROM HST CONTROL CENTER PLAY
VIDEO: SATURDAY'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
VIDEO: REPAIR OF ADVANCED CAMERA FOR SURVEYS FINISHED PLAY
VIDEO: WATCH AS GRUNSFELD REPAIRS HUBBLE CAMERA PLAY
VIDEO: COSTAR STOWED IN ATLANTIS' PAYLOAD BAY PLAY
VIDEO: UMBILICALS HOOKED UP TO NEW INSTRUMENT PLAY
VIDEO: COSMIC ORIGINS SPECTROGRAPH INSTALLED PLAY
VIDEO: SPECTROGRAPH PREPPED IN LAUNCH CARRIER PLAY
VIDEO: COSTAR OPTICS PACKAGE REMOVED FROM HUBBLE PLAY
VIDEO: SPACEWALKERS OPEN SHROUD DOORS ON TELESCOPE PLAY
VIDEO: NARRATED PREVIEW OF SPACEWALK NO. 3 PLAY
VIDEO: FLIGHT DIRECTOR'S PREVIEW OF MISSION'S DAY 6 PLAY

VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 5 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
VIDEO: FRIDAY NIGHT UPDATE FROM HST CONTROL CENTER PLAY
VIDEO: FRIDAY'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
VIDEO: SPARE GYRO UNIT INSTALLED INTO THIRD POSITION PLAY
VIDEO: ANOTHER GYROSCOPE UNIT PUT INTO SECOND SLOT PLAY
VIDEO: TROUBLE INSTALLING SECOND GYROSCOPE PACKAGE PLAY
VIDEO: REMOVAL OF SECOND GYROSCOPE PACKAGE FROM HUBBLE PLAY
VIDEO: INSTALLATION OF FIRST GYROSCOPE INTO HUBBLE PLAY
VIDEO: REMOVAL OF FIRST GYROSCOPE PACKAGE FROM HUBBLE PLAY
VIDEO: NARRATED PREVIEW OF SPACEWALK NO. 2 PLAY
VIDEO: FLIGHT DIRECTOR'S PREVIEW OF MISSION'S DAY 5 PLAY

VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 4 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
VIDEO: THURSDAY NIGHT UPDATE FROM HST CONTROL CENTER PLAY
VIDEO: THURSDAY'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
VIDEO: SOFT CAPTURE MECHANISM PUT ON HUBBLE PLAY
VIDEO: SCIENCE INSTRUMENT COMMAND & DATA HANDLING UNIT PLAY
VIDEO: PARTIALLY FAILED SIC&DH UNIT REMOVED FROM HST PLAY
VIDEO: WFPC2 CAMERA STOWED IN ATLANTIS FOR RETURN PLAY
VIDEO: OVERVIEW OF WIDE FIELD CAMERA 3 INSTRUMENT PLAY
VIDEO: SPACEWALKERS INSTALL THE WIDE FIELD CAMERA 3 PLAY
VIDEO: NEW WIDE FIELD CAMERA 3 PREPPED FOR INSTALLATION PLAY
VIDEO: 16-YEAR-OLD WFPC2 CAMERA REMOVED FROM HUBBLE PLAY
VIDEO: LATCHING BOLT ON WPFC2 FINALLY RELEASED PLAY
VIDEO: FIGHTING WITH TROUBLESOME BOLT ON WPFC2 PLAY
VIDEO: FEUSTEL INSTALLS HANDLE ONTO WPFC2 FOR REMOVAL PLAY
VIDEO: HANDLING FIXTURE DEPLOYED TO HOLD OLD CAMERA PLAY
VIDEO: GRUNSFELD INSTALLS SUPPORT POSTS UNDER HST PLAY
VIDEO: FEUSTEL OPENS LATCHES ON INSTRUMENT CARRIER PLAY
VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS EXIT AIRLOCK TO START EVA NO. 1 PLAY
VIDEO: NARRATED PREVIEW OF SPACEWALK NO. 1 PLAY

VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 3 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
VIDEO: WEDNESDAY NIGHT UPDATE FROM HST CONTROL CENTER PLAY
VIDEO: WEDNESDAY'S MISSION MANAGEMENT TEAM UPDATE PLAY
VIDEO: WEDNESDAY'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
VIDEO: TIME-LAPSE OF MOVING HUBBLE INTO PAYLOAD BAY PLAY
VIDEO: SHUTTLE ATLANTIS' ROBOT ARM CAPTURES HUBBLE PLAY
VIDEO: FIRST UP CLOSE VIEWS OF HUBBLE IN 7 YEARS PLAY
VIDEO: SHUTTLE ENGINE FIRING TO CIRCULARIZE ORBIT PLAY
VIDEO: INSIGHTFUL OVERVIEW OF ATLANTIS' MISSION PLAY
VIDEO: NARRATED PREVIEW ANIMATION OF HUBBLE RENDEZVOUS PLAY

VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 2 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
VIDEO: TUESDAY NIGHT UPDATE FROM HST CONTROL CENTER PLAY
VIDEO: TUESDAY'S MISSION MANAGEMENT TEAM UPDATE PLAY
VIDEO: SLOW-MOTION OF DEBRIS THAT APPARENTLY HIT TILES PLAY
VIDEO: TILE DAMAGE FOUND DURING INSPECTIONS PLAY
VIDEO: CAPCOM CALLS CREW ABOUT MINOR DAMAGE PLAY
VIDEO: TUESDAY'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
VIDEO: PREVIEW ANIMATION OF HEAT SHIELD INSPECTIONS PLAY

VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 1 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
VIDEO: THE FULL STS-125 LAUNCH EXPERIENCE PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: EXTERNAL TANK CAMERA PLAY
VIDEO: FOOTAGE OF FUEL TANK AFTER JETTISON PLAY

VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: FRONT CAMERA PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: BEACH TRACKER PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: PAD PERIMETER PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: UCS-23 TRACKER PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA CS-1 PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA CS-2 PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA CS-6 PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: VAB ROOF PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: PRESS SITE PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: WEST TOWER PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA 009 PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA 041 PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA 049 PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA 050 PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA 051 PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA 060 PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA 061 PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA 063 PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA 070 PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA 071 PLAY

VIDEO: SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS BLASTS OFF! PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: STS-125 POST-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE PLAY
VIDEO: INSIDE MISSION CONTROL DURING LAUNCH PLAY
VIDEO: NARRATED ANIMATION OF DAY 1 INSPECTIONS PLAY

VIDEO: FINAL PRE-LAUNCH READINESS POLLS CONDUCTED PLAY
VIDEO: SHUTTLE'S CREW MODULE HATCH CLOSED FOR FLIGHT PLAY
VIDEO: MISSION SPECIALIST MEGAN MCARTHUR BOARDS PLAY
VIDEO: PILOT GREG JOHNSON BOARDS ATLANTIS PLAY
VIDEO: MISSION SPECIALIST JOHN GRUNSFELD BOARDS PLAY
VIDEO: SHUTTLE COMMANDER SCOTT ALTMAN BOARDS PLAY
VIDEO: CREW DEPARTS QUARTERS FOR LAUNCH PAD PART 1 | PART 2
VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS DON SPACESUITS FOR LAUNCH PLAY
VIDEO: TIME-LAPSE OF LAUNCH PAD GANTRY ROLLBACK PLAY

VIDEO: HUBBLE'S FUTURE AFTER ATLANTIS SERVICING PLAY
VIDEO: TOP DISCOVERIES MADE BY HUBBLE TELESCOPE PLAY
VIDEO: THE ROLLERCOASTER LIFE OF HUBBLE PLAY
VIDEO: WHAT IS HUBBLE'S PLACE IN HISTORY? PLAY
VIDEO: ENTERTAINING LOOK AT ATLANTIS' CREW PLAY
VIDEO: HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE HISTORY MOVIE PLAY
VIDEO: A TRIBUTE TO THE CAMERA THAT SAVED HUBBLE PLAY
VIDEO: HUBBLE TELESCOPE PROGRAM BRIEFING FROM SUNDAY PLAY

VIDEO: SUNDAY'S COUNTDOWN STATUS AND WEATHER UPDATE PLAY
VIDEO: THE STS-125 PRE-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE PLAY
VIDEO: SATURDAY'S COUNTDOWN STATUS AND WEATHER UPDATE PLAY
VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS ARRIVE AT THE CAPE FOR LAUNCH PLAY
VIDEO: FRIDAY'S COUNTDOWN STATUS AND WEATHER UPDATE PLAY

VIDEO: NEWS BRIEFING FOLLOWING FLIGHT READINESS REVIEW PLAY

VIDEO: REFRESHER BRIEFING: THE STS-125 MISSION PLAY
VIDEO: REFRESHER BRIEFING: HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE PLAY
VIDEO: REFRESHER BRIEFING: THE SEVEN ASTRONAUTS PLAY

VIDEO: BIOGRAPHY MOVIE OF ATLANTIS' CREW PLAY
VIDEO: INTERVIEW WITH COMMANDER SCOTT ALTMAN PLAY | '09 UPDATE
VIDEO: INTERVIEW WITH PILOT GREG JOHNSON PLAY
VIDEO: INTERVIEW WITH MS1 MIKE GOOD PLAY
VIDEO: INTERVIEW WITH MS2 MEGAN MCARTHUR PLAY
VIDEO: INTERVIEW WITH MS3 JOHN GRUNSFELD PLAY | '09 UPDATE
VIDEO: INTERVIEW WITH MS4 MIKE MASSIMINO PLAY | '09 UPDATE
VIDEO: INTERVIEW WITH MS5 DREW FEUSTEL PLAY | '09 UPDATE

VIDEO: SHUTTLE ATLANTIS ARRIVES AT LAUNCH PAD 39A PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: THE SUN RISES ON ATLANTIS DURING ROLLOUT PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: ATLANTIS EMERGES FROM ASSEMBLY BUILDING PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: ORBITER VERTICAL FOR MATING TO FUEL TANK PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: ATLANTIS MOVES BACK TO ASSEMBLY BUILDING PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: ATLANTIS LEAVES LAUNCH PAD 39A IN OCT. PLAY
VIDEO: TIMELAPSE OF THE ROLLBACK GETTING UNDERWAY PLAY

VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS REHEARSE QUICK SHUTTLE EXIT PLAY
VIDEO: CREW BOARDS ATLANTIS FOR MOCK COUNTDOWN PLAY
VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS DON SUITS FOR PRACTICE COUNTDOWN PLAY
VIDEO: CREW'S TRAINING ON ESCAPE BASKETS AND BUNKER PLAY
VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS CHAT WITH PRESS AT LAUNCH PAD PLAY
VIDEO: CREW TEST DRIVES EMERGENCY PAD ESCAPE VEHICLE PLAY
VIDEO: COMMANDER AND PILOT PRACTICE LANDING APPROACHES PLAY
VIDEO: CREW ARRIVES AT CAPE FOR PRACTICE COUNTDOWN PLAY
VIDEO: COMMENTS FROM COMMANDER AFTER ARRIVING PLAY

VIDEO: AERIAL VIEWS OF ATLANTIS AND ENDEAVOUR PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: PRE-FLIGHT BRIEFING: THE STS-125 MISSION PLAY
VIDEO: PRE-FLIGHT BRIEFING: THE FIVE SPACEWALKS PLAY
VIDEO: PRE-FLIGHT BRIEFING: THE SEVEN ASTRONAUTS PLAY
VIDEO: PRE-FLIGHT BRIEFING: NASA LEADERSHIP PLAY
VIDEO: PRE-FLIGHT BRIEFING: SHUTTLE PROGRAM BOSS PLAY
VIDEO: PRE-FLIGHT BRIEFING: HUBBLE OVERVIEW PLAY
VIDEO: PRE-FLIGHT BRIEFING: HUBBLE SCIENCE PLAY

VIDEO: SHUTTLE ARRIVES ATOP PAD 39A PLAY
VIDEO: ATLANTIS EMERGES FROM VEHICLE ASSEMBLY BUILDING PLAY
VIDEO: TIME-LAPSE MOVIE OF ATLANTIS' ROLLOUT TO LAUNCH PAD PLAY

VIDEO: ATLANTIS ROLLS FROM HANGAR TO VAB PLAY
VIDEO: ATLANTIS LIFTED INTO PLACE FOR ATTACHMENT PLAY
MORE: STS-125 VIDEO COVERAGE
NEW! HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO
SUBSCRIBE NOW