National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas 77058
Biographical Data

ROY D. BRIDGES, JR.
NASA ASTRONAUT (FORMER)

Roy D. Bridges, Jr., was Director of NASA’s Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia, from August 10, 2003 until October 3, 2005.  He plans to retire from NASA at the end of the year to pursue other interests.  He is currently conducting a study for NASA’s Associate Administrator on the headquarters’ function that integrates institutional plans and budgets for all of NASA’s Centers.

As the senior management official of the laboratory employing approximately 2,100 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.  He was also an advisor to the NASA Administrator on Agency programs.

Bridges came to Langley in 2003 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, California.  He also was the Commander, Eastern Space and Missile Center, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, and Commander, 412th Test Wing, Edwards Air Force Base, California.

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, Colorado, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering science.  He received a Master of Science degree in astronautics from Purdue University, Indiana, 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, Georgia, but grew up in Gainesville, Georgia.  He lives in Williamsburg, Virginia, with his wife, Benita.

OCTOBER 2005

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