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GEN. ROY D. BRIDGES NAMED LANGLEY CENTER DIRECTOR
Gen. Roy D. Bridges, Center Director for NASA's Kennedy Space
Center (KSC), Fla., has been named Center Director for the agency's
Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va. Gen. Bridges, a retired U.S.
Air Force Major General and former Space Shuttle pilot will assume
his new duties Aug. 10.
"Roy's experience as an aviator and his work to advance
aerospace technology made him a natural selection to lead the
agency's premiere center for aviation and space research," said
William F. Readdy, Associate Administrator for Space Flight at NASA
Headquarters in Washington. "He's a natural leader, innovator and
problem solver. I look forward to his contributions at
Langley."
Gen. Bridges was named KSC Center Director in March 1997. There
he was responsible for managing all of the agency's facilities and
activities related to the processing and launch of the Space
Shuttle and expendable launch vehicles, as well as final tests,
preparations and processing of experiments and segments of the
International Space Station. He also worked to develop the
spaceport and range technologies to improve safety and reduce the
cost of access to space.
"Since 1917, Langley has pushed the frontier of aerospace
technology development," added Dr. Jeremiah F. Creedon, Associate
Administrator for Aerospace Technology at Headquarters. "Langley is
fortunate to have someone with Roy's diverse aerospace and
technology development experience. Our colleagues at Langley are in
good hands."
Langley was established as the nation's first civilian
aeronautics laboratory. It's a legacy that lives on today with more
than half of the center's research efforts geared towards aviation.
Langley is a recognized leader in aviation safety initiatives,
quiet aircraft technology, small aircraft transportation and
aerospace vehicles system technology. It supports NASA space
programs with atmospheric research and technology testing and
development.
NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (left) shakes hands with Gen.
Roy D. Bridges (right) on June 13 after announcing that he had been
named Director of Langley Research Center. Bridges will succeed
Delma C. Freeman (center), who has served as Acting Director for
one year but was named Director during O’Keefe’s
visit.
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"General Bridges' distinguished military service and flight
experience as both a pilot and astronaut are vital to the continued
success of Langley and its many cutting-edge aerospace and advanced
technology programs," said NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe.
As a NASA astronaut, he piloted the Space Shuttle Challenger on
mission STS-51F in July 1985.
Gen. Bridges has held many key aerospace positions during his
career. Prior to his last Air Force assignment at Wright-Patterson
Air Force Base, Ohio, he was the Commander, Air Force Flight Test
Center, Edwards Air Force Base in California. He also was
Commander, Eastern Space and Missile Center, Patrick Air Force
Base, Fla.; and Commander, 412th Test Wing, Edwards Air Force Base,
Calif.
He is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy,
Colorado Springs, Colo., where he earned a bachelor's degree in
engineering science. Gen. Bridges received his master's degree in
astronautics from Purdue University, Ind., and in May 2001, he
received an honorary doctorate of engineering degree from
Purdue.
Gen. Bridges has received numerous awards and honors. Most
recently, he was awarded NASA's Outstanding Leadership Medal and
the Presidential Meritorious Executive Award.
Deputy Center Director James W. Kennedy will lead KSC as acting
director for the time being. Additional information about NASA, KSC
and Langley is available on the Internet at:
www.nasa.gov
KSC Home
Page
www.larc.nasa.gov
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