Charles Bolden served as the Administrator of NASA from 2009 until 2017, becoming the first African American to lead the agency on a permanent basis. His career spans extensive roles as a United States Marine Corps major general, an experienced test pilot, and an astronaut who completed four space shuttle missions throughout his professional life.
Military Service and Aviation Training
Born in 1946 in Columbia, Bolden graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1968. He underwent flight training across locations including Pensacola, Meridian, and Kingsville before becoming a naval aviator in 1970. He flew over 100 sorties in the A-6A Intruder while assigned to VMA(AW)-533. By 1979, he graduated from the United States Naval Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, where he logged over 6,000 flight hours conducting test projects in aircraft such as the A-6E, EA-6B, and A-7C/E.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Astronaut Career and Spaceflight
Selected as an astronaut candidate in 1980, Bolden eventually logged over 680 hours in space. He piloted the Space Shuttle Columbia on STS-61-C in 1986 and Discovery on STS-31 in 1990. Later, he served as mission commander for STS-45 in 1992 and STS-60 in 1994. Notably, he was the first individual to test the Launch Complex 39 slidewire baskets, a mechanism designed for rapid crew escape during launch pad emergencies.
NASA Administration
Nominated by President Barack Obama in May 2009, Bolden received Senate confirmation on July 15, 2009. His tenure as NASA Administrator focused on agency operations until his retirement in January 2017. Following his departure from the agency, he received several honors, including the Carl Sagan Award for Public Understanding of Science, the Nierenberg Prize in 2017, and the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy in 2020.
Academic and Professional Background
Bolden holds a Bachelor of Science in electrical science from the United States Naval Academy and a Master of Science in systems management from the University of Southern California. Beyond his operational roles, he served in various military capacities, including Deputy Commandant of Midshipmen at the Naval Academy and Commanding General of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. In 2020, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering.
Fast facts
- Born: 1946, Columbia
- Military Rank: Major General
- Space Missions: 4
- Time in Space: Over 680 hours
- NASA Administrator Tenure: 2009-2017
- Education: United States Naval Academy (1968), University of Southern California (1977)
- Professional Membership: Omega Psi Phi fraternity
Questions readers ask
Was Charles Bolden the first African American NASA Administrator?
Yes, he was the first African American to head the agency on a permanent basis.
How many space flights did Bolden complete?
He is a veteran of four space flights, serving as a pilot on two missions and commander on two others.
Achievements
- National Aviation Hall of Fame — 2017
- Educated at United States Naval Academy, University of Southern California and USC Viterbi School of Engineering
- Worked as naval officer, astronaut and test pilot
.jpg)