In a recent interview with Al-Jazeera, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden claimed that his “foremost” mission as head of the American space agency was to improve relations with the Muslim world, in accordance with President Barack Obama’s aim to bring scientific and technological outreach “to dominantly Muslim nations,” reports Fox News. Bolden asserted, “Strengthening those ties was among the top tasks President Obama assigned,” as better relations could ultimately contribute to the advancement of space travel.

Fox News comments that Bolden was in Cairo on June 4, 2010, marking the one year anniversary of the president’s speech. Although he spoke at the same university, Bolden denied allegations that he was on a diplomatic mission in Cairo.

Bolden’s interview with the Qatari network stirred quite a firestorm, and though NASA and the White House stood by his statements shortly after the interview, the space agency clarified that such international diplomacy is not Bolden's "foremost" responsibility, according another Fox News article.

Former NASA Administrator Michael Griffin argued, "NASA... represents the best of America. Its purpose is not to inspire Muslims or any other cultural entity.” While Griffin believed that collaboration with other nations, including Muslim ones, is a positive step, he argued that it is neither a priority nor vital to the US space program’s advancement.

In a written statement, White House spokesperson Nick Shapiro explained that NASA seeks to engage with the world’s best scientists in order “to push the boundaries of exploration” and that international cooperation is vital in achieving this objective. Yet Griffin disagreed, for while he welcomed such cooperation, he believed the US does not need international help to achieve progress.

Byron York for The Examiner echoes Fox News’s reaction, pondering over the transition and shift of the space agency’s mission. "Everyone had the same impression: Is this what he is spending his time on?" asks a Republican Hill aide who tracks the space program. "A lot of people are very upset about it." According to the news site, this could indicate a change in NASA’s mission and its future development.

Apollo 13 commander Jim Lovell decried President Obama’s vision for the agency, describing it as a "devastating" scheme that "destines our nation to become one of second- or even third-rate stature." York further remarks that NASA’s outreach to Muslims directly results from the president's Cairo speech, in which he announced the creation of “science envoys” and funds "to support technological development in Muslim-majority countries."

Obama appointed Egyptian-American scientist Ahmed Zewail as the first science envoy to the Middle East. Recently, Zewail argued that the US can build better relations with the Muslim world by "harnessing the soft power of science in the service of diplomacy." The NASA initiative fits in perfectly with Zewail's vision.

In another article for The Examiner, Byron York explains that although members of Congress were shocked by Bolden’s comments, they were more disturbed by hearing about NASA's objectives on Al-Jazeera before they were personally informed on the matter. York alleges that Bolden briefed both Representative Pete Olson, the ranking Republican on the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, and Representative Gabrielle Giffords, Democratic chair of the subcommittee, on the president’s new space policies several days after the Al-Jazeera interview was released.

York posits that Bolden may find some strong resistance among members of the American public as well as Congressional officials. While major broadcasting networks and news outlets have not reported on the issue, Olson speculated that Americans will react negatively once learning about the plan. Julie Millican for Media Matters in America believes that the right-wing media is over-reacting solely because of the mention of the word “Muslims.”

NASA has also recently announced that Arab students from the United Arab Emirates would be joining its internship program, reports Gulf Times. As part of an agreement between NASA and the non-profit Arab Youth Venture Foundation, up to a dozen UAE students will be selected each year to participate in projects with the space shuttle, space station, solar system exploration and aeronautical research missions. Three UAE students were inducted into the program shortly after the statements by NASA Administrator Bolden aired on Al-Jazeera.

It appears that Bolden had to backtrack on his comments, points out Emma Willicot at Techeye. NASA assistant administrator for public affairs Bob Jacobs explained, "Administrator Bolden understands that NASA's core mission is exploration, both in space and in scientific endeavors here at home."

Furthermore, the White House also later denied having tasked Bolden with reaching out to Muslims, notes the Associated Press. During a briefing, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs denied that such activities had been assigned to Bolden and declared that administration officials had since talked to NASA to clarify matters. Gibbs added that Bolden probably misspoke.

Despite his sterling credentials as a former astronaut and military man, Bolden “has been a bit of a headache for the White House,” says Ed O’Keefe at The Washington Post. Rumors are circulating that he was appointed only after Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla), Bolden’s former space shuttle crewmate, nominated him before President Obama appointed Bolden to his position.