List of NASA Administrators
Encyclopedia
The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the highest-ranked official of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the space agency of the United States
. The administrator serves as the senior space science
adviser to the President of the United States
. According to NASA, the role of the administrator is to "lead the NASA team and manage its resources to advance the Vision for Space Exploration."
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. Daniel Goldin
held the post for the longest term (just over 9½ years), and is best known for pioneering the "faster, better, cheaper" approach to space programs. The only person to hold the post twice is James C. Fletcher
, who returned to NASA following the Challenger disaster
.
The Deputy Administrator of NASA "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. [He or she] 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. [He or she] 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", according to NASA (referring to Shana Dale
).
On May 24, 2009, President Barack Obama
announced the nomination of Charles Bolden as NASA Administrator, and Lori Garver
as Deputy NASA Administrator. Bolden and Garver became NASA Administrator and Deputy Administrator respectively upon successful confirmation by the United States Senate
on July 15, 2009.
The longest-running (acting) Deputy Administrator was John R. Dailey, who held the post following his retirement from the United States Marine Corps
. The longest-running full Deputy Administrator was Hugh Latimer Dryden
, who was the first Deputy Administrator. William R. Graham
has held the post of Deputy Administrator twice, and was the Acting Administrator in between, as did Frederick D. Gregory
. Dr. Daniel Mulville
served as the acting Deputy Administrator twice, and was Acting Administrator in between.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The administrator serves as the senior space science
Space science
The term space science may mean:* The study of issues specifically related to space travel and space exploration, including space medicine.* Science performed in outer space ....
adviser to the President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
. According to NASA, the role of the administrator is to "lead the NASA team and manage its resources to advance the Vision for Space Exploration."
The first NASA Administrator was Dr. T. Keith Glennan
T. Keith Glennan
Thomas Keith Glennan was the first Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, serving from August 19, 1958 to January 20, 1961.-Early career:...
; during his term he brought together the disparate projects in space development research in the US. Daniel Goldin
Daniel Goldin
Daniel Saul Goldin served as the 9th and longest-tenured Administrator of NASA from April 1, 1992, to November 17, 2001. He was appointed by President George H. W. Bush and also served under President William Jefferson Clinton and George W...
held the post for the longest term (just over 9½ years), and is best known for pioneering the "faster, better, cheaper" approach to space programs. The only person to hold the post twice is James C. Fletcher
James C. Fletcher
James Chipman Fletcher was the president of the University of Utah from 1964 to 1971. He also served as the 4th and 7th Administrator of NASA, first from April 27, 1971, to May 1, 1977, and again from May 12, 1986, to April 8, 1989 and also worked at BPP.-Biography:Born in Millburn, New Jersey,...
, who returned to NASA following the Challenger disaster
STS-51-L
STS-51-L was the twenty-fifth flight of the American Space Shuttle program, which marked the first time an ordinary civilian, schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe, had flown aboard the Space Shuttle. The mission used Space Shuttle Challenger, which lifted off from the Launch Complex 39-B on 28 January...
.
The Deputy Administrator of NASA "serves as the agency’s second in command
Second-in-command
The Second-in-Command is the deputy commander of any British Army or Royal Marines unit, from battalion or regiment downwards. He or she is thus the equivalent of an Executive Officer in the United States Army...
and is responsible to the administrator for providing overall leadership, planning, and policy direction for the agency. [He or she] represents NASA to the Executive Office of the President
Executive Office of the President of the United States
The Executive Office of the President consists of the immediate staff of the President of the United States, as well as multiple levels of support staff reporting to the President. The EOP is headed by the White House Chief of Staff, currently William M. Daley...
, Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
, heads of federal and other appropriate government agencies, international organizations, and external organizations and communities. [He or she] 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", according to NASA (referring to Shana Dale
Shana Dale
Shana L. Dale is an American politician and lawyer. She served as the Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the George W...
).
On May 24, 2009, President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
announced the nomination of Charles Bolden as NASA Administrator, and Lori Garver
Lori Garver
Lori Beth Garver is the Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration . She was nominated on May 24, 2009, by President Barack Obama, along with Charles Bolden as NASA Administrator...
as Deputy NASA Administrator. Bolden and Garver became NASA Administrator and Deputy Administrator respectively upon successful confirmation by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on July 15, 2009.
The longest-running (acting) Deputy Administrator was John R. Dailey, who held the post following his retirement from the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
. The longest-running full Deputy Administrator was Hugh Latimer Dryden
Hugh Latimer Dryden
Hugh Latimer Dryden was an aeronautical scientist and civil servant. He served as NASA Deputy Administrator from August 19, 1958 until his death.-Biography:...
, who was the first Deputy Administrator. William R. Graham
William Robert Graham
William Graham was a Deputy Administrator and Acting Administrator of NASA during 1985 and 1986.Born in San Antonio, Texas, Graham received his B.S. degree in physics from the California Institute of Technology in 1959. In addition, he earned an M.S. degree in engineering science in 1961, and a Ph.D...
has held the post of Deputy Administrator twice, and was the Acting Administrator in between, as did Frederick D. Gregory
Frederick D. Gregory
Frederick Drew Gregory is a former NASA astronaut and former NASA Deputy Administrator. He also served briefly as NASA Acting Administrator in early 2005, covering the period between the departure of Sean O'Keefe and the swearing in of Michael Griffin.-Personal data:Gregory was born on January 7,...
. Dr. Daniel Mulville
Daniel Mulville
Daniel R. Mulville is an American engineer who served briefly as Acting Administrator of NASA in 2001.-Education:Mulville received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1962, a master's degree in engineering in 1966 from The George Washington University and a Ph.D. in structural...
served as the acting Deputy Administrator twice, and was Acting Administrator in between.
Administrators
| Photograph | Name | Term start | Term end | Term length | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Dr. T. Keith Glennan T. Keith Glennan Thomas Keith Glennan was the first Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, serving from August 19, 1958 to January 20, 1961.-Early career:... |
August 19, 1958 | January 20, 1961 | 885 days | |
 |
Dr. Hugh L. Dryden Hugh Latimer Dryden Hugh Latimer Dryden was an aeronautical scientist and civil servant. He served as NASA Deputy Administrator from August 19, 1958 until his death.-Biography:... (acting) |
January 21, 1961 | February 14, 1961 | 24 days | |
 |
James E. Webb James E. Webb James Edwin Webb was an American government official who served as the second administrator of NASA from February 14, 1961 to October 7, 1968.... |
February 14, 1961 | October 7, 1968 | 2,792 days | |
 |
Dr. Thomas O. Paine Thomas O. Paine Thomas Otten Paine , American scientist, was the third Administrator of NASA, serving from March 21, 1969 to September 15, 1970.During his administration at NASA, the first seven Apollo manned missions were flown... (acting) |
October 8, 1968 | March 21, 1969 | 164 days | |
| |
Dr. Thomas O. Paine Thomas O. Paine Thomas Otten Paine , American scientist, was the third Administrator of NASA, serving from March 21, 1969 to September 15, 1970.During his administration at NASA, the first seven Apollo manned missions were flown... |
March 21, 1969 | September 15, 1970 | 543 days | |
 |
Dr. George M. Low George Low George Michael Low, born George Wilhelm Low was a NASA administrator and 14th President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He was born near Vienna, Austria to Artur and Gertrude Burger Low, small business people in Austria... (acting) |
September 16, 1970 | April 26, 1971 | 222 days | |
 |
Dr. James C. Fletcher James C. Fletcher James Chipman Fletcher was the president of the University of Utah from 1964 to 1971. He also served as the 4th and 7th Administrator of NASA, first from April 27, 1971, to May 1, 1977, and again from May 12, 1986, to April 8, 1989 and also worked at BPP.-Biography:Born in Millburn, New Jersey,... |
April 27, 1971 | May 1, 1977 | 2,196 days | |
 |
Dr. Alan M. Lovelace Alan M. Lovelace Dr. Alan M. Lovelace was the Deputy Administrator of NASA from July 2, 1976 to July 10, 1981.Lovelace was born in St. Petersburg, Florida... (acting) |
May 2, 1977 | June 20, 1977 | 49 days | |
 |
Dr. Robert A. Frosch Robert A. Frosch Robert Alan Frosch , American scientist, was the fifth Administrator of NASA from 1977–1981 during the Carter administration.-Biography:Born in New York City, Frosch was educated in the public school system in The Bronx... |
June 21, 1977 | January 20, 1981 | 1,309 days | |
| |
Dr. Alan M. Lovelace Alan M. Lovelace Dr. Alan M. Lovelace was the Deputy Administrator of NASA from July 2, 1976 to July 10, 1981.Lovelace was born in St. Petersburg, Florida... (acting) |
January 21, 1981 | July 10, 1981 | 170 days | |
 |
James M. Beggs James M. Beggs James Montgomery Beggs served as the 6th Administrator of NASA. Nominated by President Reagan on June 1, 1981, Beggs took his oath of office and entered the post on July 10, 1981, serving until December 4, 1985.... |
July 10, 1981 | December 4, 1985 | 1,608 days | |
 |
Dr. William R. Graham William Robert Graham William Graham was a Deputy Administrator and Acting Administrator of NASA during 1985 and 1986.Born in San Antonio, Texas, Graham received his B.S. degree in physics from the California Institute of Technology in 1959. In addition, he earned an M.S. degree in engineering science in 1961, and a Ph.D... (acting) |
December 4, 1985 | May 11, 1986 | 158 days | |
| |
Dr. James C. Fletcher James C. Fletcher James Chipman Fletcher was the president of the University of Utah from 1964 to 1971. He also served as the 4th and 7th Administrator of NASA, first from April 27, 1971, to May 1, 1977, and again from May 12, 1986, to April 8, 1989 and also worked at BPP.-Biography:Born in Millburn, New Jersey,... |
May 12, 1986 | April 8, 1989 | 1,062 days | |
 |
Dale D. Myers Dale D. Myers Dale D. Myers was the Deputy Administrator of NASA between 6 October 1986 and 13 May 1989. He was born on 8 January 1922 in Kansas City, Missouri, and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Washington in Seattle in 1943.- References :... (acting) |
April 8, 1989 | May 13, 1989 | 35 days | |
 |
VAdm Vice Admiral Vice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral... (Ret.) Richard H. Truly Richard H. Truly Richard Harrison Truly is a retired Vice Admiral in the United States Navy, Naval Aviator, former astronaut, and was the eighth Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration from 1989 to 1992... (acting) |
May 14, 1989 | June 30, 1989 | 47 days | |
| |
VAdm Vice Admiral Vice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral... (Ret.) Richard H. Truly Richard H. Truly Richard Harrison Truly is a retired Vice Admiral in the United States Navy, Naval Aviator, former astronaut, and was the eighth Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration from 1989 to 1992... |
July 1, 1989 | March 31, 1992 | 1,004 days | |
 |
Daniel S. Goldin Daniel Goldin Daniel Saul Goldin served as the 9th and longest-tenured Administrator of NASA from April 1, 1992, to November 17, 2001. He was appointed by President George H. W. Bush and also served under President William Jefferson Clinton and George W... |
April 1, 1992 | November 17, 2001 | 3,517 days | |
 |
Dr. Daniel R. Mulville Daniel Mulville Daniel R. Mulville is an American engineer who served briefly as Acting Administrator of NASA in 2001.-Education:Mulville received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1962, a master's degree in engineering in 1966 from The George Washington University and a Ph.D. in structural... (acting) |
November 19, 2001 | December 21, 2001 | 32 days | |
 |
Sean O'Keefe Sean O'Keefe Sean O'Keefe is the CEO of EADS North America, a subsidiary of the European aerospace firm EADS, a former Administrator of NASA, and former chancellor of Louisiana State University . O'Keefe is also a former member of the board of directors of DuPont... |
December 21, 2001 | February 11, 2005 | 1,148 days | |
 |
Col Colonel Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures... (Ret.) Frederick D. Gregory Frederick D. Gregory Frederick Drew Gregory is a former NASA astronaut and former NASA Deputy Administrator. He also served briefly as NASA Acting Administrator in early 2005, covering the period between the departure of Sean O'Keefe and the swearing in of Michael Griffin.-Personal data:Gregory was born on January 7,... (acting) |
February 11, 2005 | April 14, 2005 | 62 days | |
 |
Dr. Michael D. Griffin Michael D. Griffin Michael Douglas Griffin is an American physicist and aerospace engineer. From April 13, 2005 to January 20, 2009 he served as Administrator of NASA, the space agency of the United States... |
April 14, 2005 | January 20, 2009 | 1,377 days | |
 |
Christopher Scolese Christopher Scolese Christopher Scolese is the Associate Administrator of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration and served as that agency's acting Administrator during the period following Michael D. Griffin's resignation, effective January 20, 2009, until Charles F... (acting) |
January 21, 2009 | July 16, 2009 | 176 days | |
 |
Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden, Jr. Charles F. Bolden, Jr. Charles Frank "Charlie" Bolden, Jr. is the current Administrator of NASA, a retired United States Marine Corps major general, and former NASA astronaut.... |
July 17, 2009 | Present | — |
Deputy Administrators
| Photograph | Name | Term start | Term end | Term length | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |
Dr. Hugh L. Dryden Hugh Latimer Dryden Hugh Latimer Dryden was an aeronautical scientist and civil servant. He served as NASA Deputy Administrator from August 19, 1958 until his death.-Biography:... |
August 19, 1958 | December 2, 1965 | 2,662 days | |
 |
Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr. Robert Seamans Robert Channing Seamans, Jr. was a NASA Deputy Administrator and MIT professor.-Birth and education:He was born in Salem, Massachusetts to Pauline and Robert Seamans. His great-great-grandfather was Otis Tufts... |
December 21, 1965 | January 5, 1968 | 745 days | |
| |
Dr. Thomas O. Paine Thomas O. Paine Thomas Otten Paine , American scientist, was the third Administrator of NASA, serving from March 21, 1969 to September 15, 1970.During his administration at NASA, the first seven Apollo manned missions were flown... |
March 25, 1968 | March 20, 1969 | 360 days | |
| |
Dr. George M. Low George Low George Michael Low, born George Wilhelm Low was a NASA administrator and 14th President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He was born near Vienna, Austria to Artur and Gertrude Burger Low, small business people in Austria... |
December 3, 1969 | June 5, 1976 | 2,376 days | |
| |
Dr. Alan M. Lovelace Alan M. Lovelace Dr. Alan M. Lovelace was the Deputy Administrator of NASA from July 2, 1976 to July 10, 1981.Lovelace was born in St. Petersburg, Florida... |
July 2, 1976 | July 10, 1981 | 1,834 days | |
 |
Dr. Hans Mark Hans Mark Hans Michael Mark is a former Secretary of the Air Force and a former Deputy Administrator of NASA. He is an expert and consultant in aerospace design and national defense policy... |
July 10, 1981 | September 1, 1984 | 1,149 days | |
| |
Dr. William R. Graham William Robert Graham William Graham was a Deputy Administrator and Acting Administrator of NASA during 1985 and 1986.Born in San Antonio, Texas, Graham received his B.S. degree in physics from the California Institute of Technology in 1959. In addition, he earned an M.S. degree in engineering science in 1961, and a Ph.D... |
November 25, 1985 | December 4, 1985 | 9 days | |
| |
Dr. William R. Graham William Robert Graham William Graham was a Deputy Administrator and Acting Administrator of NASA during 1985 and 1986.Born in San Antonio, Texas, Graham received his B.S. degree in physics from the California Institute of Technology in 1959. In addition, he earned an M.S. degree in engineering science in 1961, and a Ph.D... |
May 11, 1986 | October 1, 1986 | 143 days | |
| |
Dale D. Myers Dale D. Myers Dale D. Myers was the Deputy Administrator of NASA between 6 October 1986 and 13 May 1989. He was born on 8 January 1922 in Kansas City, Missouri, and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Washington in Seattle in 1943.- References :... |
October 6, 1986 | May 13, 1989 | 950 days | |
 |
James R. Thompson, Jr. James R. Thompson, Jr. James Robert Thompson, Jr., known as J.R. Thompson, was the fifth Director of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center located in Huntsville, Alabama. He served as Director from September 29, 1986 to July 6, 1989... |
July 6, 1989 | November 8, 1991 | 885 days | |
 |
Aaron Cohen Aaron Cohen (Deputy NASA administrator) Aaron Cohen was the Acting Deputy Administrator of NASA between 19 February 1992 and 1 November 1992.-Education:... (acting) |
February 19, 1992 | November 1, 1992 | 256 days | |
| John R. Dailey (acting) | November 3, 1992 | December 31, 1999 | 3,173 days | ||
| |
Dr. Daniel Mulville Daniel Mulville Daniel R. Mulville is an American engineer who served briefly as Acting Administrator of NASA in 2001.-Education:Mulville received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1962, a master's degree in engineering in 1966 from The George Washington University and a Ph.D. in structural... (acting) |
January 1, 2000 | November 19, 2001 | 688 days | |
| |
Dr. Daniel Mulville Daniel Mulville Daniel R. Mulville is an American engineer who served briefly as Acting Administrator of NASA in 2001.-Education:Mulville received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1962, a master's degree in engineering in 1966 from The George Washington University and a Ph.D. in structural... (acting) |
December 21, 2001 | August 11, 2002 | 233 days | |
| |
Frederick D. Gregory Frederick D. Gregory Frederick Drew Gregory is a former NASA astronaut and former NASA Deputy Administrator. He also served briefly as NASA Acting Administrator in early 2005, covering the period between the departure of Sean O'Keefe and the swearing in of Michael Griffin.-Personal data:Gregory was born on January 7,... |
August 12, 2002 | February 20, 2005 | 923 days | |
| |
Frederick D. Gregory Frederick D. Gregory Frederick Drew Gregory is a former NASA astronaut and former NASA Deputy Administrator. He also served briefly as NASA Acting Administrator in early 2005, covering the period between the departure of Sean O'Keefe and the swearing in of Michael Griffin.-Personal data:Gregory was born on January 7,... |
April 14, 2005 | November 4, 2005 | 204 days | |
 |
Shana Dale Shana Dale Shana L. Dale is an American politician and lawyer. She served as the Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the George W... |
November 4, 2005 | January 17, 2009 | 1,171 days | |
| Lori Garver Lori Garver Lori Beth Garver is the Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration . She was nominated on May 24, 2009, by President Barack Obama, along with Charles Bolden as NASA Administrator... |
July 17, 2009 | Present | — |
See also
- Chairmen of the National Advisory Committee for AeronauticsNational Advisory Committee for AeronauticsThe National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics was a U.S. federal agency founded on March 3, 1915 to undertake, promote, and institutionalize aeronautical research. On October 1, 1958 the agency was dissolved, and its assets and personnel transferred to the newly created National Aeronautics and...
- NASA Chief ScientistNASA Chief ScientistThe Chief Scientist was the most senior science position at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration . The Chief Scientist served as the principal advisor to the NASA Administrator in science issues and as interface to the national and international science community, ensuring that NASA...