25 Facts About Charles Bolden

1.

Charles Bolden graduated from the United States Naval Academy with the class of 1968.

2.

Charles Bolden was the first African American to head the agency on a permanent basis.

3.

On January 12,2017, Bolden announced his retirement from NASA during a town hall meeting at NASA Headquarters in Washington DC His last day would be January 19, and Robert M Lightfoot Jr.

4.

In 2020, Charles Bolden was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering for leadership and development of US human spaceflight and space operations programs, and for revitalizing fundamental aeronautics research.

5.

Charles Bolden earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Science from the United States Naval Academy in 1968, where he was a contemporary of future Marine officers Oliver North, Jim Webb and Michael Hagee and future Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Michael Mullen, and Admirals Dennis C Blair, and Jay L Johnson, and later earned a Master of Science degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California in 1977.

6.

Charles Bolden is a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

7.

In high school Charles Bolden was turned down for an appointment to the United States Naval Academy by South Carolina's Congressional delegation, which included then segregationist Senator Strom Thurmond.

8.

Charles Bolden later received notes of congratulations from Thurmond at various career milestones.

9.

Charles Bolden was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps following graduation from the United States Naval Academy in 1968.

10.

Charles Bolden underwent flight training at Pensacola, Florida, Meridian, Mississippi, and Kingsville, Texas, before being designated a United States Naval Aviator in May 1970.

11.

Charles Bolden flew more than 100 sorties into North and South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in the A-6A Intruder while assigned to VMA-533 at Royal Thai Air Base Nam Phong, Thailand, from June 1972 to June 1973.

12.

Charles Bolden was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in 1980.

13.

Charles Bolden was a member of the NASA Astronaut Corps until 1994 when he returned to assignments in the Marine Corps, first as the Deputy Commandant of Midshipmen at the Naval Academy, effective June 27,1994.

14.

Charles Bolden then served as the Commanding General, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, from August 9,2000, until August 2002.

15.

Charles Bolden was one of several astronauts recruited by Nichelle Nichols as part of a NASA effort to increase the number of minority and female astronauts.

16.

Charles Bolden served as pilot on STS-61-C and STS-31, and was the mission commander on STS-45, and STS-60.

17.

Charles Bolden was the first person to ride the Launch Complex 39 slidewire baskets which enable rapid escape from a Space Shuttle on the launch pad.

18.

On STS-45, Charles Bolden commanded a crew of seven aboard Atlantis, launched on March 24,1992, from Kennedy Space Center.

19.

In 2009, President Obama appointed Charles Bolden to be administrator of NASA.

20.

Charles Bolden said, "We've got some stillborn calves around, and we have got to figure out ways to help each other bring them back to life".

21.

Charles Bolden said his agency's long-term ambition is landing astronauts on Mars.

22.

Charles Bolden has cited spending cuts as a concern for major NASA projects.

23.

On October 28,2015, Charles Bolden presented the next steps for a human journey to Mars at the Center for American Progress in Washington, DC.

24.

On January 12,2017, Bolden announced his resignation from NASA during a Town Hall meeting at NASA Headquarters in Washington DC His last day would be January 19, and Robert M Lightfoot Jr.

25.

Charles Bolden is a Christian, stating in a question and answer session in May 2010:.