Just days after inauguration, it’s looking increasingly like President Barack Obama’s pick for NASA administrator may fail to launch. Retired Air Force General Jonathan Scott Gration, a former fighter pilot and Obama’s buddy, was rumoured to be the new president’s first choice to run the space agency.

But Gration’s lack of space experience caused Florida Democratic Senator Bill Nelson to express some scepticism. Now it appears that another powerful senator with strong NASA interests—Barbara Mikulski (Democrat, Maryland)—has expressed doubts, along with other unnamed sources, according to the popular blog NASA Watch.

The senators matter because they can approve or reject any of Obama’s political appointment. Fortunately they gave a big thumb’s up to Nobel-laureate-turned-energy-secretary Steven Chu.

credit: USAF