Roy D. Bridges, Jr.

Director, NASA Langley Research Center

Roy D. Bridges, Jr., is Director of NASA’s Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia. NASA Langley, founded in 1917, is the nation’s first civilian aeronautical research facility and NASA’s oldest field center.

General Roy D. Bridges, Jr.

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As the senior management official of the laboratory employing approximately 2,400 civil service personnel, Bridges is responsible for the Center’s aeronautical and space research programs, as well as facilities, personnel and administration. He is also an advisor to the NASA Administrator on Agency programs.

Bridges came to Langley after serving as Director of NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) for over six years. In that capacity, he was responsible for managing facilities and activities related to the processing and launch of the Space Shuttle, processing and integration of Shuttle payloads and those aboard Expendable Launch Vehicles (ELVs), as well as final tests and preparation of elements delivered to the International Space Station via Shuttle. He was also responsible for managing the acquisition and launch of all NASA ELV missions.

Bridges is a retired U.S. Air Force Major General who has held many key space-related roles. Prior to his last USAF assignment at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, he was the Commander, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. He also was the Commander, Eastern Space and Missile Center, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., and Commander, 412th Test Wing, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

As a NASA Astronaut, he piloted the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission STS-51F in July 1985.
Bridges is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo., where he earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering science. He received a master of science degree in astronautics from Purdue University, Ind., and, in May 2001, he received an honorary doctorate of engineering degree from Purdue.

He is the recipient of numerous awards and honors. Most recently, he was awarded NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal and the Presidential Meritorious Executive Award.

Bridges was born in Atlanta, Ga., but grew up in Gainesville, Ga. He lives in Williamsburg, Va. He and his wife Benita have two adult children and two grandchildren.

August 2003