Roy D. Bridges Jr.

Born July 19, 1943, in Atlanta, Bridges grew up in Gainesville, Georgia, and graduated from Gainesville High School 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 of Science degree in engineering science in 1965. He received a Master of Science degree in Astronautics from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, in 1966.

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

Bridges became the Director of NASA's Langley Research Center in 2003, after serving as Director of the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC). He retired from Langley and from NASA at the end of 2005. As the senior management official of the laboratory employing approximately 2,100 NASA civil service and 1,800 contractor personnel, Bridges was responsible for the center's aeronautical and space research programs, as well as facilities, personnel, and administration. In that capacity, he was responsible for managing facilities and activities related to the processing and launch of the Space Shuttle, processing and integration of Shuttle payloads and those aboard Expendable Launch Vehicles (ELVs), as well as final tests and preparation of elements delivered to the International Space Station via Shuttle. He was also responsible for managing the acquisition and launch of all NASA ELV missions.

As Director of the Kennedy Space Center for over six years, 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 managed a team of about 2,000 NASA civil servants and about 14,000 contractors.

Bridges, a decorated veteran of 262 combat missions during Vietnam War, 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.

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.

In the course of his career he has completed the following assignments:[1]

Effective dates of promotion

Promotions[1]

Insignia	Rank	Date
	Major general	January 1, 1993
	Brigadier general	July 1, 1990
	Colonel	December 1, 1983
	Lieutenant colonel	August 10, 1979
	Major	November 19, 1973
	Captain	June 13, 1968
	First lieutenant	December 9, 1966
	Second lieutenant	June 9, 1965

Awards and decorations

	USAF Master Astronaut badge
	United States Air Force Parachutist badge

	Air Force Distinguished Service ribbon
	US Defense Superior Service Medal with 1 OLC
	Legion of Merit ribbon with 1 OLC
	Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon with 2 OLC
	Meritorious Service ribbon
	Air Medal with 14 OLC
	Air Force Commendation ribbon
	NASA Outstanding Leadership ribbon
	Space Flight ribbon
	AF Presidential Unit Citation ribbon
	Outstanding Unit ribbon with 2 OLC
	Organizational Excellence ribbon with 1 OLC
	National Defense Service Medal with 1 OLC
	Vietnam Service ribbon with 3 Service Stars
	Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service ribbon
	Air Force Longevity Service ribbon with 6 OLC
	USAF Marksmanship ribbon
	Air Force Training ribbon
	Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Award
	Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon

He is the recipient of several awards and honors including recognition as a distinguished graduate of Air Force Pilot Training and a top graduate of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, the Presidential Meritorious Executive Award, and a NASA Certificate of Commendation. He is a member of the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame.[2]

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

Bridges is an executive with Northrop Grumman Technical Services.

• "Biographical Data: ROY D. BRIDGES, JR. NASA ASTRONAUT (FORMER)" (PDF). NASA. October 2005. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
• Spacefacts biography of Roy D. Bridges Jr.

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.