Charles Bolden

Charles Bolden
Bill Ingalls · Public domain · source
Name	Charles F. Bolden Jr.
Birth date	August 19, 1946
Birth place	Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
Occupation	Military officer, test pilot, astronaut, administrator
Nationality	American

Charles Bolden

Charles Francis Bolden Jr. is an American former United States Marine Corps major general, naval aviator, test pilot, and NASA astronaut who served as the 12th Administrator of the NASA from 2009 to 2017. He flew four space shuttle missions, later directed NASA through the transition from the Space Shuttle era to commercial crew partnerships and the development of the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System. Bolden's career spans service under Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and interactions with leaders from agencies such as the Department of Defense and international partners like the European Space Agency.

Early life and education

Born in Columbia, South Carolina, Bolden attended C.W. Rapp High School (now Richland Northeast High School) and excelled in athletics and academics. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1968 and was commissioned into the United States Marine Corps. Bolden later earned a Master of Science degree in systems management from the University of Southern California and completed professional military education at institutions including the National War College and the Naval War College.

Military career and Marine Corps service

Bolden's early service included deployment to Vietnam War operations as a Marine aviator flying the A-6 Intruder and other aircraft. He completed flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola and served at units such as Marine Aircraft Group 14 and Carrier Air Wing elements aboard carriers like the USS Saratoga (CV-60). As a test pilot he trained at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School at Patuxent River Naval Air Station. Bolden rose through the ranks with assignments to commands connected to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and Marine Corps Base Quantico, culminating in promotion to brigadier general and later major general before retiring from active duty. His Marine career involved interaction with entities such as the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and multinational exercises with forces from United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

NASA career and spaceflights

Selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1980, Bolden trained at the Johnson Space Center and served in roles including spacecraft communicator and flight crew equipment researcher. He commanded or piloted four Space Shuttle missions: as pilot on STS-61-C aboard Space Shuttle Columbia (1986), and as commander on STS-31 aboard Space Shuttle Discovery (1990) which deployed the Hubble Space Telescope, STS-45 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis (1992) which carried the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science (ATLAS) payload, and STS-60 aboard Space Shuttle Discovery (1994) which was the first joint U.S.-Russian Shuttle mission with the Shuttle-Mir Program and carried cosmonauts from Russia. Bolden's work connected him with programs and organizations such as the Hubble Space Telescope, European Space Agency, Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Mission Control Center, and contractors like Rockwell International and Boeing.

Administrator of NASA

Nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the United States Senate, Bolden assumed the role of NASA Administrator in July 2009. During his tenure he oversaw strategic initiatives including the termination of the Constellation program, the initiation of partnerships with commercial providers such as SpaceX and Boeing under the Commercial Crew Program, and advancement of deep-space exploration architecture featuring the Orion (spacecraft) and the Space Launch System. Bolden managed responses to budgetary decisions by Congress, coordinated with international partners including the Canadian Space Agency and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and testified before congressional committees such as the United States House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. His administration fostered educational initiatives with institutions like the Smithsonian Institution, the National Science Foundation, and academic partners including Massachusetts Institute of Technology and California Institute of Technology.

Later career and public engagement

After leaving NASA, Bolden engaged with organizations including the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the Aerospace Corporation, and non-profits focused on STEM outreach such as FIRST and Girls Who Code. He served on corporate and advisory boards including firms like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and consulting entities working with the Department of Defense and space ventures. Bolden participated in public speaking at venues such as Kennedy Space Center, the World Economic Forum, and academic convocations at universities including Howard University and Duke University, and contributed to documentary projects and panels with media outlets like PBS and NPR.

Awards and honors

Bolden received numerous decorations and honors during and after his service, including military awards such as the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross (United States), and Air Medal. Civilian recognitions include the Presidential Distinguished Service Award, induction into the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame, and honorary degrees from institutions such as Tuskegee University, University of South Carolina, and University of Southern California. He has been honored with awards from professional societies including the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the National Space Club, and civic recognitions from City of Columbia, South Carolina and national commemorations tied to the Apollo program and Space Shuttle program.

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