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NASA News  
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration
 
John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899
AC 321 867-2468
_____________________________________________________________________
Glenn Mahone/Bob Jacobs
Headquarters, Washington                                                   
                              June 13, 2003
(Phone: 202/358-1898/1600)
 
George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
(Phone: 321/867-2468)
 
RELEASE: 03-197
 

GEN. ROY D. BRIDGES NAMED LANGLEY CENTER DIRECTOR

 
Gen. Roy D. Bridges, Center Director for NASA's Kennedy Space Center
(KSC), Fla., has been named Center Director for the agency's Langley
Research Center, Hampton, Va., Gen. Bridges, a retired U.S. Air Force
Major General and former Space Shuttle pilot will assume his new
duties Aug. 10. 
 
"Roy's experience as an aviator and his work to advance aerospace
technology made him a natural selection to lead the agency's premiere
center for aviation and space research," said William F. Readdy,
Associate Administrator for Space Flight at NASA Headquarters in
Washington. "He's a natural leader, innovator and problem solver. I
look forward to his contributions at Langley." 
 
Gen. Bridges was named KSC Center Director in March 1997. There he
was responsible for managing all of the agency's facilities and
activities related to the processing and launch of the Space Shuttle
and expendable launch vehicles, as well as final tests, preparations
and processing of experiments and segments of the International Space
Station. He also worked to develop the spaceport and range
technologies to improve safety and reduce the cost of access to
space. 
 
"Since 1917, Langley has pushed the frontier of aerospace technology
development," added Dr. Jeremiah F. Creedon, Associate Administrator
for Aerospace Technology at Headquarters. "Langley is fortunate to
have someone with Roy's diverse aerospace and technology development
experience. Our colleagues at Langley are in good hands." 
 
Langley was established as the nation's first civilian aeronautics
laboratory. It's a legacy that lives on today with more than half of
the center's research efforts geared towards aviation. Langley is a
recognized leader in aviation safety initiatives, quiet aircraft
technology, small aircraft transportation and aerospace vehicles
system technology. It supports NASA space programs with atmospheric
research and technology testing and development. 
 
"General Bridge's distinguished military service and flight
experience as both a pilot and astronaut are vital to the continued
success of Langley and its many cutting-edge aerospace and advanced
technology programs," said NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe. 
 
As a NASA astronaut, he piloted the Space Shuttle Challenger on
mission STS-51F in July 1985.
 
Gen. Bridges has held many key aerospace positions during his career.
Prior to his last Air Force assignment at Wright-Patterson Air Force
Base, Ohio, he was the Commander, Air Force Flight Test Center,
Edwards Air Force Base in California. He also was Commander, Eastern
Space and Missile Center, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.; and
Commander, 412th Test Wing, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. 

He is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy,
Colorado Springs, Colo., where he earned a bachelor's degree in
engineering science. Gen. Bridges received his master's degree in
astronautics from Purdue University, Ind., and in May 2001, he
received an honorary doctorate of engineering degree from Purdue. 

Gen. Bridges has received numerous awards and honors. Most recently,
he was awarded NASA's Outstanding Leadership Medal and the
Presidential Meritorious Executive Award. 
 
Deputy Center Director James W. Kennedy will lead KSC as acting
director for the time being. Additional information about NASA, KSC
and Langley is available on the Internet at: 
 
www.nasa.gov
www.ksc.nasa.gov
http://www.larc.nasa.gov/
 
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