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KSC director announces retirement NASA NEWS RELEASE Posted: May 1, 2006 James W. Kennedy, the eighth director in the history of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, today announced his intention to retire in January 2007 after 35 years of government service. Kennedy spent 31 of those years with NASA and four with the U.S. Air Force. Kennedy's successor will be announced at a later date. "Serving as the director of the historic Kennedy Space Center where the U.S. space program was born is an opportunity of a lifetime," Kennedy said. "While I have treasured every minute of every day, now is the time to announce I'm stepping aside to allow someone else the opportunity to lead this great center and its incredible work force." In his position, Kennedy oversees nearly 15,000 government and contractor employees at KSC. The center's primary mission is the processing of space shuttle, International Space Station and expendable launch vehicle space flight hardware for launch. NASA Administrator Mike Griffin, after accepting Kennedy's retirement letter, stated: "I've had the pleasure of knowing and working with Jim Kennedy for 10 years. He has offered a sure and steady hand at the Kennedy Space Center in the difficult period following the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia, and will be sorely missed. And while he can retire from NASA, he cannot retire from the NASA family. He will always be one of our own." Prior to serving as director, Kennedy served as the center's deputy director beginning in October 2002. Prior to coming to KSC, he served for 25 years at the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., rising to the position of deputy center director. Kennedy began his career with NASA in 1968 in the Aerospace Engineering Cooperative Education Program, first at KSC and then at Marshall. After earning his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Auburn University in 1972, he was called to active duty with the U.S. Air Force. In 1977, he received his master's in business administration from Georgia Southern University and returned to NASA in 1980. Kennedy's work experience includes serving as project manager for major projects, such as the X-34, DC-XA and Solid Rocket Booster Projects. He served as Marshall's director of engineering. He has received numerous awards, including the National Space Club's Astronautics Engineer of the Year Award, the Silver Snoopy Award, NASA's Distinguished Service Medal, and the Presidential Rank of Meritorious and Distinguished Service Awards. Most recently, he received the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal and was named the Florida Chapter of the National Space Club's Dr. Kurt H. Debus Award winner for 2006. Kennedy was born in Riverdale, Md., and currently resides in Cocoa Beach, Fla., with his wife, Bernadette. He's has two grown children, Jeff and Jamie, and is the proud grandfather of Hayes. |
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Discovery launched April 12, 1985 on the STS-51D mission. A U.S. military communications satellite, known as Leasat 3, failed to activate after its deployment from the payload bay. That set the stage for a spacewalk -- the shuttle program's first unplanned EVA -- to attach handcrafted "Flyswatter" objects on the shuttle robotic arm to hit a timing switch on the satellite. The rescue attempt did not succeed. Upon landing at Kennedy Space Center, Discovery blew a tire. The crew, including Senator Jake Garn of Utah, narrate this post-flight film of highlights from the week-long mission.
NASA managers hold this news conference April 28 to give an update on plans for the next space shuttle mission, the ongoing external fuel tank testing and debates over further modifications.
The Boeing Delta 2 rocket carrying the CALIPSO and CloudSat atmospheric research spacecraft lifts off at 3:02 a.m. local time April 28 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, the external fuel tank for the STS-121 space shuttle mission is hoisted into position for attachment with the twin solid rocket boosters atop a mobile launch platform. The tank, ET-119, will carry the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen to feed Discovery's three main engines during launch.
In preparation for space shuttle Discovery's departure from its Orbiter Processing Facility hangar for rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building and mating with the tank and boosters, the ship's 60-foot long payload bay doors are swung shut.
Take a virtual ride aboard the Russian Progress 21P cargo freighter as it docks with the International Space Station. This movie captures the final approach and successful linkup from a camera on the Progress craft's nose.