Roy D. Bridges Jr.

Roy D. Bridges Jr.
Director of the Langley Research Center
In office June 13, 2003 – October 3, 2005
President	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Delma C. Freeman Jr. (Acting)
Succeeded by	Lesa Roe
Personal details
Born	Roy Dubard Bridges Jr. (1943-07-19) July 19, 1943 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Alma mater	USAFA, B.S. 1965 Purdue University, M.S. 1966
Profession	Test pilot Astronaut Engineer
Status	Retired
Nationality	American
Space career
NASA Astronaut
Rank	Major General, USAF
Time in space	7d 22h 45min
Selection	1980 NASA Group 9
Missions	STS-51-F
Mission insignia

Roy Dubard Bridges Jr. (born July 19, 1943, in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American pilot, engineer, retired United States Air Force officer, test pilot, former NASA astronaut and the former Director of NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center and Langley Research Center.

NASA career

Bridges served as a NASA astronaut, piloting the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission STS-51-F (July 29 to August 6, 1985).

Bridges became the Director of NASA's Langley Research Center in 2003, after serving as Director of the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC). He retired from Langley and from NASA at the end of 2005. As the senior management official of the laboratory employing approximately 2,100 NASA civil service and 1,800 contractor personnel, Bridges was responsible for the Center’s aeronautical and space research programs, as well as facilities, personnel, and administration. 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.

As Director of the Kennedy Space Center for over six years, Bridges was responsible for managing NASA's only site for processing and launch of the Space Shuttle vehicle; processing the payloads flown on both the Shuttle and expendable launch vehicles; and overseeing expendable vehicle launches carrying NASA payloads. He managed a team of about 2,000 NASA civil servants and about 14,000 contractors.

Military career

Bridges, a decorated veteran of 262 combat missions during Vietnam War, is a retired U.S. Air Force Major General who served as the director of requirements, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, from June 1993 until his retirement July 1, 1996. In that position he served as the Command focal point for product management policy, processes and resources.

Prior to his assignment at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Bridges was the commander, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, California. He has served in several key leadership positions including deputy chief of staff, test and resources, Headquarters Air Force Systems Command, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland; commander, Eastern Space and Missile Center, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida; commander, 6510th Test Wing, Edwards Air Force Base, California.

Education

Bridges grew up in Gainesville, Georgia, and graduated from Gainesville High School in 1961. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America where he achieved its second highest rank, Life Scout. He is a distinguished graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Science in 1965. He received a Master of Science degree in Astronautics from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, in 1966.

Awards and honors

Air Force Command Pilot Badge with Astronaut Device
Air Force Parachutist Badge
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal | Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with cluster	Distinguished Flying Cross with two clusters	Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal with fourteen clusters	Air Force Commendation Medal	NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal
NASA Space Flight Medal	Presidential Unit Citation	Outstanding Unit Award with two clusters
Organizational Excellence Award with cluster	National Defense Service Medal with one star	Vietnam Service Medal with three stars
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon	Air Force Longevity Service Award with six clusters	Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon	Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm	Vietnam Campaign Medal

He is the recipient of several awards and honors including recognition as a distinguished graduate of Air Force Pilot Training and a top graduate of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, the Presidential Meritorious Executive Award, and a NASA Certificate of Commendation.

Personal

Bridges is married to the former Benita Louise Allbaugh of Tucson, Arizona. They have two adult children.

Bridges is an executive with Northrop Grumman Technical Services.

External links

• NASA bio of Bridges
• Spacefacts biography of Roy D. Bridges Jr.

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.