Frederick D. Gregory

One of NASA’s first black astronauts, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Frederick Gregory also served as NASA’s first black Deputy Administrator.

Quick Facts

Frederick Gregory was selected as an astronaut candidate in 1978 as part of NASA’s eighth astronaut class.

Gregory flew on three shuttle missions. He was the pilot for STS-51B, and the mission commander for STS-33, and STS-44.

From 1992 through 2005, Gregory served in NASA’s administration, holding the role of Acting Administrator briefly in 2005.

Official portrait of Frederick D. Gregory, a United States Air Force Colonel, wearing blue flight suit, with flag backdrop. — S91-38499 (May 1991) — Astronaut Frederick D. Gregory, U.S. Air Force Colonel
NASA

STS029-S-001 (10 March 1989) — Astronaut Frederick Gregory, STS-33 mission commander, prepares to climb aboard a NASA T-38 jet aircraft. He’s part of a group of JSC personnel who, in various NASA aircraft, will accompany the flight crew en route to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) launch facility. The second post-Challenger flight of Discovery is scheduled for a 8:07 a.m. (EST) launch on March 13, 1989.

STS044-17-030 (24 Nov-1 Dec 1991) — The six crewmembers for STS-44 pose for a second crew portrait on Atlantis’ flight deck. This portrait was intended to focus on Payload Specialist Thomas J. Hennen (front center), who earned the nickname, “Trash Man” during the flight. It was Hennen who “starred” in a brief onboard video production about the disposal of trash and waste. Others in the picture are (front row) Astronauts Frederick D. Gregory (left), Mission Commander; and James S. Voss, Mission Specialist; and (back row, left to right) Astronauts Mario Runco Jr. and F. Story Musgrave, both Mission Specialists; and Terence T. (Tom) Henricks, Pilot.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. — NASA Deputy Administrator and former astronaut Frederick Gregory is the featured speaker at a formal dinner held in the Debus Conference Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Adrian Laffitte, director of Atlas Programs for Lockheed Martin Astronautics at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, was honored as the winner of the 2003 Dr. Kurt H. Debus Award from the National Space Club Florida Committee at the dinner. The Debus Award was created by the committee to recognize significant achievements and contributions made in Florida to American aerospace efforts.

Biography

Frederick D. Gregory

After receiving a bachelor of science degree from the United States Air Force Academy in 1964, Frederick D. Gregory trained as a helicopter pilot and went on to serve as a helicopter rescue pilot in Vietnam in 1966. After retraining as a fixed wing pilot and then as a test pilot, he worked as a test pilot until chosen as an astronaut candidate in 1978. A veteran of three Space Shuttle flights, Gregory went on to fill leadership roles in NASA’s administration becoming Deputy Administrator in August 2002.

Learn More

STS044-32-030 (24 Nov-1 Dec 1991) — STS-44 Commander Frederick D. Gregory wears a cap honoring his alma mater, the United States Air Force (USAF) Academy, on the middeck of Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104. Gregory, who also has his lightweight headset on, was photographed while talking to ground controllers.

NASA

Featured Story