Naming of NASA Chief Imminent

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — NASA Administrator James C. Fletcher said Monday that he expects President Bush to name a new head of the space agency within two weeks.

Fletcher, who said months ago that he wanted to retire, made the announcement in an impromptu news conference after the launching of the space shuttle Discovery.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration chief blamed the delay in announcing his successor, in part, on the fight between the White House and the Senate over the failed appointment of former Sen. John Tower to be defense secretary.