Gene Porter Bridwell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gene Porter Bridwell
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Official NASA portrait of Gene Porter Bridwell
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| Born | October 4, 1935 |
| Education | Bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering at Purdue University |
| Occupation | Director of the Marshall Space Flight Center |
Gene Porter Bridwell (born October 4, 1935) was an important leader at NASA. He was the seventh director of the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. He led the center from January 6, 1994, to February 3, 1996.
Before becoming director, Mr. Bridwell worked on many big projects. He helped design and develop powerful new rockets. He also worked with teams to redesign the International Space Station. Later, he helped with the team that brought together the U.S. and Russian space station efforts.
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Early Life and Education
Gene Porter Bridwell was born in Linton, Indiana, on October 4, 1935. He finished high school in Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1953. He then went to Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. In 1958, he earned a degree in aeronautical engineering. This means he studied how to design and build aircraft and spacecraft.
Starting His NASA Journey
Mr. Bridwell began his career as an engineer at Rocketdyne in Canoga Park, California. In 1962, he joined the Marshall Space Flight Center. Early in his time there, he worked with the teams that managed the giant Saturn V rocket. This rocket was used for the Apollo missions to the Moon.
Leading Space Shuttle Projects
In 1975, Mr. Bridwell moved to the Space Shuttle Projects Office. Here, he held several key jobs. He was the chief of the Project Engineering Office. He also became the deputy manager of the External Tank Project. This project was in charge of the Space Shuttle's huge orange fuel tank. In February 1983, he became the manager of the External Tank Project.
Big Roles at NASA
In 1987, Mr. Bridwell briefly served as the acting deputy director for the National Space Technology Laboratories in Mississippi. In October 1988, he returned to the Marshall Center. He became the director of institutional and program support. This meant he helped manage how the center ran and supported its many projects. In May 1989, he again became the manager of the Shuttle Projects Office.
Becoming a NASA Director
In January 1990, Mr. Bridwell took on a new role. He became the director of National Launch Systems for NASA Headquarters. He worked from the Marshall Center in this job. In February 1992, he officially transferred back to the Marshall Center. He then became the manager of the Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle Definition Office. This office focused on designing very powerful rockets. His experience in these big roles prepared him to become the director of the Marshall Space Flight Center.
