List of NASA Administrators

The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is the highest-ranking official of that organization and serves as the senior space science adviser to the President of the United States. The current NASA Administrator is Michael D. Griffin, whose term started on April 14, 2005; he is the 11th person to hold the post. According to NASA, his role is to "lead the NASA team and manage its resources to advance the Vision for Space Exploration." [cite web | url=http://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/griffin_bio.html | title=Biography of Michael D. Griffin, NASA Administrator | publisher=NASA | accessdate=2008-07-04]

The first NASA Administrator was Dr. T. Keith Glennan; during his term he brought together the disparate projects in space development research in the US.cite web | url=http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/Biographies/glennan.html | title=T. Keith Glennan biography | publisher=NASA | date=August 4, 2006 | accessdate=2008-07-05] Daniel Goldin held the post for the longest term, and is best known for pioneering the "faster, better, cheaper" approach to space programs.cite web | url=http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/dan_goldin.html | title=Daniel S. Goldin biography | publisher=NASA | date=March 12, 2004 | accessdate=2008-07-05] The only person to hold the post twice is James C. Fletcher, who returned to NASA following the Challenger disaster.cite web | url=http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/Biographies/fletcher.html | title=James C. Fletcher biography | publisher=NASA | accessdate=2008-07-05]

The current Deputy Administrator of NASA is Shana Dale, who started her term on November 4, 2005 and is also the 11th person to hold the post. According to NASA, "Dale serves as the agency’s second in command and is responsible to the administrator for providing overall leadership, planning, and policy direction for the agency. Dale represents NASA to the Executive Office of the President, Congress, heads of federal and other appropriate government agencies, international organizations, and external organizations and communities. Dale also oversees the day to day work of NASA’s functional offices, such as the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Office of General Counsel and Strategic Communications." [cite web | url=http://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/dale_bio.html | title=Biography of Shana Dale, NASA Deputy Administrator | publisher=NASA | accessdate=2008-07-04]

The longest running (acting) Deputy Administrator was John R. Dailey, who held the post following his retirement from the United States Marine Corps.cite web | url=http://history.nasa.gov/Biographies/dailey.html | title=General John Dailey biography | publisher=NASA | accessdate=2008-07-05] The longest running full Deputy Administrator was Hugh Latimer Dryden, who was the first Deputy Administrator.cite web | url=http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/Biographies/dryden.html | title=Hugh L. Dryden biography | publisher=NASA | accessdate=2008-07-05] William R. Graham has held the post of Deputy Administrator twice, and was the Acting Administrator in between,cite web | url=http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/Biographies/graham.html | title=William R. Graham biography | publisher=NASA | accessdate=2008-07-05] as did Frederick D. Gregory.cite web | url=http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/gregory.htm | title=Frederick D. Gregory | publisher=NASA | accessdate=2008-07-05] Dr. Daniel Mulville served as the acting Deputy Administrator twice, and was Acting Administrator in between.cite web | url=http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/mulville.htm | title=Daniel Mulville biography | publisher=NASA | accessdate=2008-07-05]

Administrators

Deputy Administrators

ee also

*Chairmen of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics
*NASA Chief Scientist

References