Charles F. Bolden Jr.

Charles F. Bolden Jr. is a retired United States Marine Corps Major General and a former NASA Astronaut who served as the 12th NASA Administrator. Appointed by President Barack Obama, he led the agency from 2009 to 2017, overseeing pivotal programs like the Commercial Crew Program and the development of the Space Launch System. A veteran of four Space Shuttle missions, his career uniquely blends distinguished military service with profound contributions to American space exploration.

Early life and education

Born in Columbia, South Carolina, he was raised during the era of segregation. He attended C. A. Johnson High School before receiving an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical science and 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. His early aspirations in aviation were influenced by meeting United States Air Force Major Robert H. Lawrence Jr., the first African American astronaut selected by any program.

NASA career

Selected by NASA in 1980 as part of NASA Astronaut Group 9, he became an astronaut in August 1981. His first spaceflight was as the pilot of STS-61-C aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1986, a mission that deployed the SATCOM KU-1 satellite. He later piloted STS-31 in 1990 on the Space Shuttle Discovery, a flight that deployed the Hubble Space Telescope, a cornerstone of modern astronomy. He commanded two missions: STS-45 in 1992 on the Space Shuttle Atlantis, which carried the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science (ATLAS-1), and STS-60 in 1994 on the Space Shuttle Discovery, the first joint NASA-Roscosmos mission featuring a Russian cosmonaut aboard an American shuttle.

Military service

His military career spanned over 34 years in the United States Marine Corps. After flight training, he flew over 100 combat missions during the Vietnam War in North Vietnam and Laos. He served as a test pilot at the Naval Air Test Center at Patuxent River and held numerous command and staff positions, including commanding the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. He achieved the rank of Major General before retiring from the USMC in 2003. His decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

NASA Administrator

Nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the United States Senate, he served as the NASA Administrator from 2009 to 2017. His tenure focused on transitioning from the Space Shuttle program, fostering commercial spaceflight through the Commercial Crew Program with partners like SpaceX and Boeing, and developing the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft for deep space exploration. He advocated for increased engagement in STEM education and international cooperation, including continued partnership on the International Space Station and collaboration with emerging space agencies.

Post-NASA career and legacy

Following his service at NASA, he joined the board of directors for the Gen. James N. Mattis Center for Civic Leadership at the United States Naval Academy. He remains a prominent advocate for science and exploration, frequently speaking on leadership and the future of spaceflight. His legacy is defined by breaking barriers as the first African American to permanently lead NASA, his pivotal role in transitioning the agency to a new era of commercial and government partnership, and his lifelong dedication to service, both in the skies over Vietnam and in the vacuum of space.

Category:1946 births Category:Living people Category:NASA astronauts Category:United States Marine Corps generals Category:NASA administrators