Roy Bridges | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Director of theLangley Research Center | |
| In office June 13, 2003 – October 3, 2005 | |
| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Delma Freeman (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Lesa Roe |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Roy Dubard Bridges Jr. (1943-07-19)July 19, 1943 (age 82) |
| Education | United States Air Force Academy (BS) Purdue University (MS) |
| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
| Rank | Major General,USAF |
Time in space | 7d 22h 45m |
| Selection | NASA Group 9 (1980) |
| Missions | STS-51-F STS-61-F (never flew) |
Mission insignia |   |
Roy Dubard Bridges Jr. (born July 19, 1943) is an Americanpilot,engineer, retiredUnited States Air Force officer,test pilot, formerNASAastronaut and the former director ofNASA'sJohn F. Kennedy Space Center andLangley Research Center. As a command pilot, he has over 4,460 flying hours,[1] and is a decorated veteran of 262combat missions during theVietnam War. He retired as aU.S. Air Forcemajor general, last serving as the Director of Requirements, HeadquartersAir Force Materiel Command,Wright-Patterson Air Force Base,Ohio, from June 1993 until his retirement. He is married with two adult children.
Born July 19, 1943, inAtlanta, Bridges grew up inGainesville, Georgia, and graduated from Gainesville High School in 1961. He was active in theBoy Scouts of America, where he achieved its second-highest rank,Life Scout. He is a distinguished graduate of theUnited States Air Force Academy,Colorado Springs, Colorado, earning aBachelor of Science degree inengineering science in 1965. He received aMaster of Science degree inAstronautics fromPurdue University,West Lafayette, Indiana, in 1966.
Bridges served as a NASAastronaut, piloting theSpace ShuttleChallenger on missionSTS-51-F (July 29 to August 6, 1985).
Bridges became the Director of NASA'sLangley 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 theSpace Shuttle, processing and integration of Shuttle payloads and those aboardExpendable Launch Vehicles (ELVs), as well as final tests and preparation of elements delivered to theInternational Space Station via Shuttle. He was also responsible for managing the acquisition and launch of all NASA ELV missions.
As Director of theKennedy Space Center for over six years, Bridges was responsible for managing NASA's only site for processing and launch of theSpace Shuttle vehicle; processing thepayloads 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.
Bridges, a decorated veteran of 262combat missions duringVietnam War, is a retiredU.S. Air Forcemajor general who served as the director of requirements, HeadquartersAir 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, HeadquartersAir 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.
In the course of his career he has completed the following assignments:[1]
| Insignia | Rank | Date |
|---|---|---|
 | Major general | January 1, 1993 |
 | Brigadier general | July 1, 1990 |
 | Colonel | December 1, 1983 |
 | Lieutenant colonel | August 10, 1979 |
 | Major | November 19, 1973 |
 | Captain | June 13, 1968 |
 | First lieutenant | December 9, 1966 |
 | Second lieutenant | June 9, 1965 |
 | USAF Master Astronaut badge |
 | United States Air Force Parachutist badge |
 | Air Force Distinguished Service ribbon |
  | US Defense Superior Service Medal with 1OLC |
 | Legion of Merit ribbon with 1 OLC |
 | Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon with 2 OLC |
 | Meritorious Service ribbon |
  | Air Medal with 14 OLC |
 | Air Force Commendation ribbon |
 | NASA Outstanding Leadership ribbon |
 | Space Flight ribbon |
 | AF Presidential Unit Citation ribbon |
 | Outstanding Unit ribbon with 2 OLC |
 | Organizational Excellence ribbon with 1 OLC |
  | National Defense Service Medal with 1 OLC |
 | Vietnam Service ribbon with 3 Service Stars |
 | Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service ribbon |
 | Air Force Longevity Service ribbon with 6 OLC |
 | USAF Marksmanship ribbon |
 | Air Force Training ribbon |
 | Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Award |
 | Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon |
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 theU.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, thePresidential Meritorious Executive Award, and a NASA Certificate of Commendation. He is a member of theGeorgia Aviation Hall of Fame.[2]
Bridges is married to the former Benita Louise Allbaugh ofTucson, Arizona. They have two adult children.
Bridges is an executive withNorthrop Grumman Technical Services.
This article incorporatespublic domain material from websites or documents of theNational Aeronautics and Space Administration.
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