Michael Griffin should continue as NASA administrator, at least until President-elect Barack Obama sorts out his space policy agenda, the chairman of a key House authorizing committee said Dec. 18.

"I have recommended that, at a minimum, he be kept during the transition period," House Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.) said, adding that he was also recommending that Griffin "be considered" to be kept on beyond that.

Gordon, whose committee oversees NASA, said the final verdict on Griffin is "something for the next administration. It's their decision."

Gordon praised Griffin during a Capitol Hill press briefing on the panel's agenda for the 111th Congress, which convenes next month.

"I've been pleased with the working relationship with Dr. Griffin," Gordon said, adding that the often blunt Griffin "understands what he's doing, in contrast to previous administrations."

The panel's ambitious agenda includes a call for more resources for NASA "to fulfill each of its diverse missions" including human space exploration, although Gordon said the committee passed just a one-year authorization for NASA so the incoming administration "could be part of setting that direction."

That authorizing legislation also recommended funding an additional space shuttle flight after the scheduled 2010 shutdown of the program. Gordon said he was "very reluctant to extend it much further" because of cost and safety concerns.

The committee agenda also calls for reviewing the capabilities of emerging space-faring nations and exploring the expansion of international collaboration. Gordon said he personally favors finishing work on the International Space Station. "We've spent a lot of money on the space station not to complete it," he said.

Michael Griffin photo: NASA