Gregory began his NASA career as a research test pilot before being selected to become an astronaut in January 1978. He logged 455 hours in space as pilot for the 1985 Challenger mission and as commander aboard the 1989 Discovery and 1991 Atlantis flights.In 2002 he was appointed deputy administrator, serving as the agency’s chief operating officer and taking responsibility for directing and managing much of its workload. In his resignation letter to the president, Gregory recalls both the agency’s successes during his period of service and the sadness at ‘the loss of so many friends aboard Columbia’. He notes the Mars Exploration Rovers, the Cassini-Huygens Saturn mission, Deep Impact and the X-43A scramjet-powered research vehicles as among the highlights. NASA Administrator Michael Griffin paid tribute to his colleague’s abilities. “He is the best of the best, and we have been fortunate to have his steady hand at NASA’s helm during the most troubled period in NASA’s history. We will miss him, and I will miss him." In Washington, legislators with interest in the space program also paid tribute to Gregory’s achievements. Representatives Bart Gordon D-TN and Mark Udall D-CO expressed their appreciation for his decades of distinguished service. “Wherever Dr Gregory has served, he’s brought enthusiasm and integrity to the job. We wish him well in whatever future endeavors he decides to pursue." |
