NASA chief Charles Bolden unveiled new work orders for space centers across the country Thursday to pull them in line with the new space plan envisioned by President Barack Obama, and assured that new jobs will come from the transition.

"A very serious and real concern is the jobs, but this is what we call progress," Bolden told reporters in a teleconference. "We're expanding the number of programs that we have so that we can try to put people to work who are interested in being a part of the space program."

Instead of building its own new spacecraft, NASA plans to support the development of commercial spacecraft to transport astronauts and cargo to the International Space Station, which got a life extension through at least 2020 (five more years than planned) under the new plan.

Future of American spaceflight

No specific destination for U.S. human spaceflight, or a timetable for how one could be achieved, has been revealed by NASA or the Obama administration, which has led to widespread criticism from lawmakers and the public.

But by reorganizing all 10 of NASA's field centers across the country, the space agency will be better equipped to meet the president's space "vision" and will create additional jobs with the new programs to offset at least some of the thousands expected to be lost as the shuttle fleet retires and Constellation is cancelled, Bolden said.

"The thing that makes it different from any other vision is the fact that it's funded," Bolden said.

In his budget proposal, President Obama proposed a moderate increase for NASA overall, but set aside $6 billion over five years to spur the commercial spacecraft industry. The plan calls for a renewed push into fundamental technology development and science research.

NASA officials hope that by ceding astronaut launch services to the commercial spaceflight industry it will be more free to pursue more ambitious missions to explore the moon, Mars, asteroids and stable points in space called Lagrange points – ideal locations for fuel depots or giant space telescopes.

Congress still has yet to approve the president's proposed space plan.

President Obama is expected to visit NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 15 to go into more detail on his space plan.

"There are many great opportunities here for NASA and for the nation, and I think there are many proud moments ahead of us," Bolden said.