Roy D. Bridges, Jr.

Infobox Astronaut
name =Roy Dunbard Bridges, Jr.

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type =NASA Astronaut
status =Retired
nationality =American
date_birth =July 19, 1943
place_birth =Atlanta, Georgia
occupation =Test Pilot
rank =Major General, USAF
selection =1980 NASA Group
time =7d 22h 45m
mission =STS-51-F
insignia =

Roy Dunbard Bridges, Jr. was the director of NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center and was a NASA astronaut. As director, Bridges was responsible for managing NASA's only site for processing and launch of the Space Shuttle vehicle; processing the payloads flown on both the Shuttle and expendable launch vehicles; and overseeing expendable vehicle launches carrying NASA payloads. He manages a team of about 2,000 NASA civil servants and about 14,000 contractors.

Bridges is a retired U.S. Air Force Major General who served as the director of requirements, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, from June 1993 until his retirement July 1, 1996. In that position he served as the command focal point for product management policy, processes and resources. Today, Bridges is an executive with Northrop Grumman Technical Services.

Bridges served as a NASA astronaut, piloting the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission STS-51 F (July 29 to August 6, 1985).

Prior to his assignment at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Bridges was the commander, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, California. He has served in several key leadership positions including deputy chief of staff, test and resources, Headquarters Air Force Systems Command, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland; commander, Eastern Space and Missile Center, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida; commander, 6510th Test Wing, Edwards Air Force Base, California.

Bridges was born on July 19, 1943, in Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated from Gainesville High School, Georgia, in 1961. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America where he achieved its second highest rank, Life Scout. He is a distinguished graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado, earning a bachelor's degree in engineering science in 1965. He received a master of science degree in astronautics from Purdue University, Indiana, in 1966.

He is the recipient of several awards and honors including recognition as a distinguished graduate of USAF Pilot Training and a top graduate of the USAF Test Pilot School. He is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal; Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster; Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster; Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal with 14 oak leaf clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal; NASA Space Flight Medal; and a NASA Certificate of Commendation.

Bridges is married to the former Benita Louise Allbaugh of Tucson, Arizona. They have two adult children.

External links

* [http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/bridges.html NASA bio of Bridges]
* [http://www.spacefacts.de/bios/astronauts/english/bridges_roy.htm Spacefacts biography of Roy D. Bridges, Jr.]