Dr. Martín Abadi
Charles Bolden EMERITUS
12th Administrator , NASA
Columbia, South Carolina, United States
More Info
  • 1992
  • Aerospace and Transportation Engineering (A.T.E)
More Info
  • 1992
  • Aerospace and Transportation Engineering (A.T.E)
Election Remark
Charles Frank Bolden Jr. is a trailblazing figure in aerospace and public service, with a career that spans over decades as a Marine Corps Major General, an astronaut, and the NASA Administrator.

Selected by NASA in 1980, Bolden's tenure as an astronaut saw him participate in four spaceflights, contributing to significant scientific research and the deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope.

As a Marine pilot, he flew more than 100 combat missions in Southeast Asia, honing skills that would later underpin his test pilot expertise in advanced aircraft before joining NASA's astronaut corps.
 
Under President Obama, Bolden was appointed as the NASA Administrator, becoming the first African American to permanently hold the position.

His leadership was marked by a focus on sustainability in space exploration, enhancement of international partnerships, and educational outreach, advocating for STEM subjects.

Bolden's vision steered NASA through new initiatives aimed at Mars exploration and the expansion of human presence in space. Notably, his voice was the first to be broadcast on Mars, symbolizing human ambition and interplanetary communication.
 
Bolden has been recognized for revitalizing aeronautics research, spearheading human spaceflight and operations programs, and guiding NASA's direction in a new era of innovation.

His contributions have earned him election into the National Academy of Engineering. Post-retirement, he continues to influence space policy and development internationally, illustrating his commitment to advancing aerospace as a crucial field for future generations.

He was elected as member of the Euorpean Academy of Engineering in 1992 and promoted as Emeritus member in 2006.