NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Marny Skora
(757) 864-6121 or 6124
(757)344-6111 (mobile)
m.m.skora@larc.nasa.gov

RELEASE NO. 02-011

Astronaut nominated for NASA deputy post

Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden, USMC

President Bush has announced his intention to nominate former NASA astronaut Major General Charles F. Bolden, U.S. Marine Corps, as deputy to NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe. Bolden currently serves as the Commanding General of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. "It will be great to welcome Charlie Bolden back to the NASA family," said Langley Research Center Director Jeremiah F. Creedon. "His experience as an aviator and astronaut as well as his past management experience makes him a valuable partner in the Agency leadership team."

A veteran of four Space Shuttle flights, Bolden was pilot on STS-61C in 1986 and STS-31 in 1990, and was mission commander on STS-45 in 1992. That same year, he was appointed NASA Assistant Deputy Administrator, a position he held until 1994, when he was named commander of STS-60. He left the space program having logged more than 680 hours in orbit.

As Deputy Administrator, Bolden will serve as the chief operating officer for the Agency and report directly to the Administrator. He will be responsible for directing qnd managing many of the programs as well as day-to-day operations and activities at NASA.

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