In this video, Charles Bolden discusses the important role that NASA plays in shaping the future of space exploration, and the agency's long-term ambitions, such as landing astronauts on Mars.

Retired Marine Corps Major General Charles Frank Bolden, Jr., began his duties as the twelfth Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on July 17, 2009. As Administrator, he leads the NASA team and manages its resources to advance the agency's missions and goals.

His 34-year career with the Marine Corps included 14 years as a member of NASA's Astronaut Office. After joining the office in 1980, he traveled to orbit four times aboard the space shuttle between 1986 and 1994, commanding two of the missions. His flights include deployment of the $1.5 billion Hubble Space Telescope and the first joint U.S.-Russian shuttle mission.