Charles Bolden

Charles Bolden. Charles Frank "Charlie" Bolden Jr. is a retired United States Marine Corps Major General and former NASA Administrator, who served as the head of the agency from 2009 to 2017. A distinguished astronaut, he flew on four Space Shuttle missions, commanding two of them, and played a pivotal role in shaping American space policy during the Obama administration. His career bridges significant achievements in military aviation, human spaceflight, and high-level government leadership.

Early life and education

Born in Columbia, South Carolina, he was raised in the era of segregation and was inspired by early pioneers like Benjamin O. Davis Jr. He attended C. A. Johnson High School before receiving an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Graduating in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical science, he was commissioned as a Second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He later earned a Master of Science degree in systems management from the University of Southern California in 1977.

Military career

Following flight training, he became a Naval Aviator and flew over 100 combat missions during the Vietnam War in Southeast Asia in aircraft like the A-6 Intruder. He later served as a test pilot at the Naval Air Test Center at Patuxent River, Maryland, evaluating a wide range of aircraft. His assignments included a tour with the Marine Corps Pacific Command and as a Senior Fellow at the George Washington University following selection by NASA. He retired from the Marine Corps in 2003 with the rank of Major General.

NASA career

Selected as a NASA astronaut in 1980, his first spaceflight was as a Mission Specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia on STS-61-C in 1986. He later piloted the Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-31 in 1990, a mission that deployed the Hubble Space Telescope. He commanded two missions: STS-45 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis in 1992, which conducted atmospheric research for the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science, and STS-60 in 1994, the first joint NASA-Roscosmos mission featuring a Russian cosmonaut on the Space Shuttle. In 2009, President Barack Obama nominated him to become the 12th Administrator of NASA, the first African American to hold the position permanently. During his tenure, he oversaw the transition from the Space Shuttle program and championed the development of the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft, while fostering commercial partnerships through the Commercial Crew Program and expanding Earth science research.

Post-NASA career and legacy

After leaving NASA in 2017, he joined the board of directors for the Gen. James Mattis Foundation and serves as a senior advisor at the American Security Project. His legacy is marked by his barrier-breaking role as a leader in both the military and civilian space agency, earning honors such as the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the Defense Distinguished Service Medal. He is a strong advocate for STEM education and is a member of the National Academy of Engineering. His leadership helped steer NASA toward a future of deep space exploration while maintaining a robust program of scientific discovery.

Personal life

He is married to Alexis (Jackie) Walker, and they have two children. An active member of the Boy Scouts of America, he has been recognized with their Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. His personal papers are archived at the University of South Carolina. He remains a sought-after speaker on topics of leadership, space exploration, and diversity in the sciences.

Category:1946 births Category:Living people Category:NASA administrators Category:United States Marine Corps astronauts Category:African-American astronauts