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George Abbey (NASA)

January 07, 2023

For other people named George Abbey, see George Abbey (disambiguation).

George William Samuel Abbey (born August 21, 1932) is a former director of the Johnson Space Center (JSC) and Fellow in Space Policy at the Baker Institute of Rice University.

George Abbey
George Abbey
Born
George William Samuel Abbey

(1932-08-21) August 21, 1932 (age 90)
Seattle, Washington, USA
NationalityAmerican
Occupationformer director of the Johnson Space Center

Biography

Abbey was born in Seattle, Washington in 1932 to Sam and Brenta Abbey. His father was born in London but had emigrated to Canada, returning to Europe to serve in the First World War. After being injured in France, Sam returned to London to recuperate where he met Bridget, later changing her name to Brenta, who had moved to the capital from the village of Laugharne in Wales. Sam and Bridget married and their first child, a boy, was born in Wales before the couple moved to Canada before settling in Seattle.[1] Abbey attended Lincoln High School there. He received his bachelor's degree in general science from the United States Naval Academy in (Annapolis, Maryland) in 1954; and a master's degree in electrical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, in 1959.[2]

A pilot in the U.S. Air Force, Abbey had more than 4,000 hours in various types of aircraft before being detailed to NASA. While in the Air Force, he served in the Air Force Research and Development Command and was involved in the early Air Force manned space activities, including the Dyna-Soar Program. Abbey joined NASA in 1964 as an Air Force captain assigned to the Apollo program. In December 1967 he left the Air Force and was named technical assistant to the Johnson Space Center director.

In January 1976, he was named director of flight operations, where he was responsible for operational planning and for the overall direction and management of flight crew and flight control activities for all human spaceflight missions.

In 1983, he became director of the Flight Crew Operations Directorate, where he continued to be responsible for all Space Shuttle flight crews and JSC aircraft operations. Abbey would select the crews that flew during the early years of the Space Shuttle. As director of flight operations, he put America’s first woman in space when he assigned Sally Ride to the crew of 1983′s STS-7. Abbey was appointed deputy associate administrator for space flight at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. in March 1988.

In July 1990, he was selected as deputy for operations and senior NASA representative to the Synthesis Group, charged with defining strategies for returning to the Moon and landing on Mars.

In July 1991, Abbey was appointed senior director for civil space policy for the National Space Council in the Executive Office of the President. President George H. W. Bush reestablished, by executive order, the National Space Council, led by Vice President Dan Quayle. Part of its job was to find a direction for America’s space initiatives in a time when the nation would no longer be engaged in a technology race with the Soviet Union. The Council began to see several unique opportunities for engaging the former Soviet Union in a space station program.

In 1992, he was named special assistant to the NASA administrator. In 1994 Abbey was named deputy director of the Johnson Space Center and was subsequently selected as the JSC director in 1996.

As director of Johnson Space Center until 2001, he served as an integral part of the NASA Shuttle-Mir Program and provided crucial oversight, management, and guidance in the first phase of the International Space Station.

Abbey was opposed to the proposed Space Station Freedom because of the large cost and impracticality of the station. A small team of administrators and scientists including Abbey, John Young, Thomas P. Stafford and Max Faget were called to devise a cheaper alternative to Freedom. This team proposed a new modular space station in April 1993. He helped later enlist partner nations to share the adventure — and the costs — of implementing those plans for a permanent outpost in Earth orbit.[2]

Honors

In 2002, Abbey was selected as a distinguished alumnus of the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology.

His honors and awards include the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, three NASA Distinguished Service Medals and the 1970 Presidential Medal of Freedom, presented by President Richard M. Nixon for his distinguished civilian service in peacetime.

In addition, he was the recipient of the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement's National Space Trophy in 1997.

In 1998 he was awarded the Robert R. Gilruth Award in recognition of his accomplishments and dedication to human spaceflight.

In 2007 a special category was included for the Sir Arthur Clarke Award which was presented by and named after Abbey.

Publications

Transcript: "Lost in Space: The Need for a Definitive U.S. Space Policy, Jan 27 2014

U.S. - Russia Space Policy, Sept 13 2013

Spotlight on the U.S. Space Program: Problems and Solutions, Mar 08 2013

Time for the U.S. to Partner With China in Space?, Nov 27 2012

Return to Reality: Why a Space Shuttle Program Is Vital to the Survival of the International Space Station, Oct 26 2011

Restore the Vision, Jul 20 2011

International Space Medicine Summit III Executive Summary, Feb 16 2010

United States Space Policy: Challenges and Opportunities Gone Astray, Jul 28 2009

Congressional Briefing for United States Space Policy: Challenges and Opportunities Gone Astray, Jun 30 2009

Maximizing NASA's Potential in Flight and on the Ground: Recommendations for the Next Administration, Jan 20 2009

Video Briefing Transcript: Public Policy for the Public - Science and Technology, Dec 05 2007

Nuclear Nonproliferation: Policy Implications, Nov 02 2007

United States Space Policy: Challenges and Opportunities, Aug 31 2005

References

  1. ^ Ryall, Gemma (April 25, 2013). "The man who sent Dylan Thomas into space". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  2. ^ a b Cassutt, Michael. "Mr. Inside". Air & Space Magazine. USA: Smithsonian Institution (August 2011). Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  • McCrum, Kirstie (22 April 2013). "Flying high: The career path that sent George Abbey soaring from his maternal home in Laugharne to Nasa". WalesOnline. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  • "Johnson Space Center Research and Technology Annual Report" (2004) NASA Technical Report Server
  • NASA History Program Office

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to George Abbey.

    January 07, 2023
    george, abbey, nasa, other, people, named, george, abbey, george, abbey, disambiguation, this, article, includes, list, general, references, lacks, sufficient, corresponding, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, . For other people named George Abbey see George Abbey disambiguation This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations July 2021 Learn how and when to remove this template message George William Samuel Abbey born August 21 1932 is a former director of the Johnson Space Center JSC and Fellow in Space Policy at the Baker Institute of Rice University George AbbeyGeorge AbbeyBornGeorge William Samuel Abbey 1932 08 21 August 21 1932 age 90 Seattle Washington USANationalityAmericanOccupationformer director of the Johnson Space Center Contents 1 Biography 2 Honors 3 Publications 4 References 5 External linksBiography EditAbbey was born in Seattle Washington in 1932 to Sam and Brenta Abbey His father was born in London but had emigrated to Canada returning to Europe to serve in the First World War After being injured in France Sam returned to London to recuperate where he met Bridget later changing her name to Brenta who had moved to the capital from the village of Laugharne in Wales Sam and Bridget married and their first child a boy was born in Wales before the couple moved to Canada before settling in Seattle 1 Abbey attended Lincoln High School there He received his bachelor s degree in general science from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland in 1954 and a master s degree in electrical engineering from the U S Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright Patterson Air Force Base Ohio in 1959 2 A pilot in the U S Air Force Abbey had more than 4 000 hours in various types of aircraft before being detailed to NASA While in the Air Force he served in the Air Force Research and Development Command and was involved in the early Air Force manned space activities including the Dyna Soar Program Abbey joined NASA in 1964 as an Air Force captain assigned to the Apollo program In December 1967 he left the Air Force and was named technical assistant to the Johnson Space Center director In January 1976 he was named director of flight operations where he was responsible for operational planning and for the overall direction and management of flight crew and flight control activities for all human spaceflight missions In 1983 he became director of the Flight Crew Operations Directorate where he continued to be responsible for all Space Shuttle flight crews and JSC aircraft operations Abbey would select the crews that flew during the early years of the Space Shuttle As director of flight operations he put America s first woman in space when he assigned Sally Ride to the crew of 1983 s STS 7 Abbey was appointed deputy associate administrator for space flight at NASA Headquarters in Washington D C in March 1988 In July 1990 he was selected as deputy for operations and senior NASA representative to the Synthesis Group charged with defining strategies for returning to the Moon and landing on Mars In July 1991 Abbey was appointed senior director for civil space policy for the National Space Council in the Executive Office of the President President George H W Bush reestablished by executive order the National Space Council led by Vice President Dan Quayle Part of its job was to find a direction for America s space initiatives in a time when the nation would no longer be engaged in a technology race with the Soviet Union The Council began to see several unique opportunities for engaging the former Soviet Union in a space station program In 1992 he was named special assistant to the NASA administrator In 1994 Abbey was named deputy director of the Johnson Space Center and was subsequently selected as the JSC director in 1996 As director of Johnson Space Center until 2001 he served as an integral part of the NASA Shuttle Mir Program and provided crucial oversight management and guidance in the first phase of the International Space Station Abbey was opposed to the proposed Space Station Freedom because of the large cost and impracticality of the station A small team of administrators and scientists including Abbey John Young Thomas P Stafford and Max Faget were called to devise a cheaper alternative to Freedom This team proposed a new modular space station in April 1993 He helped later enlist partner nations to share the adventure and the costs of implementing those plans for a permanent outpost in Earth orbit 2 Honors EditIn 2002 Abbey was selected as a distinguished alumnus of the U S Air Force Institute of Technology His honors and awards include the NASA Exceptional Service Medal the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal three NASA Distinguished Service Medals and the 1970 Presidential Medal of Freedom presented by President Richard M Nixon for his distinguished civilian service in peacetime In addition he was the recipient of the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement s National Space Trophy in 1997 In 1998 he was awarded the Robert R Gilruth Award in recognition of his accomplishments and dedication to human spaceflight In 2007 a special category was included for the Sir Arthur Clarke Award which was presented by and named after Abbey Publications EditTranscript Lost in Space The Need for a Definitive U S Space Policy Jan 27 2014U S Russia Space Policy Sept 13 2013Spotlight on the U S Space Program Problems and Solutions Mar 08 2013Time for the U S to Partner With China in Space Nov 27 2012Return to Reality Why a Space Shuttle Program Is Vital to the Survival of the International Space Station Oct 26 2011Restore the Vision Jul 20 2011International Space Medicine Summit III Executive Summary Feb 16 2010United States Space Policy Challenges and Opportunities Gone Astray Jul 28 2009Congressional Briefing for United States Space Policy Challenges and Opportunities Gone Astray Jun 30 2009Maximizing NASA s Potential in Flight and on the Ground Recommendations for the Next Administration Jan 20 2009Video Briefing Transcript Public Policy for the Public Science and Technology Dec 05 2007Nuclear Nonproliferation Policy Implications Nov 02 2007United States Space Policy Challenges and Opportunities Aug 31 2005References Edit Ryall Gemma April 25 2013 The man who sent Dylan Thomas into space bbc co uk Retrieved April 27 2013 a b Cassutt Michael Mr Inside Air amp Space Magazine USA Smithsonian Institution August 2011 Retrieved April 6 2016 McCrum Kirstie 22 April 2013 Flying high The career path that sent George Abbey soaring from his maternal home in Laugharne to Nasa WalesOnline Retrieved 24 August 2020 Johnson Space Center Research and Technology Annual Report 2004 NASA Technical Report Server Chaikin Andrew George Abbey NASA s Most Controversial Figure 2001 Space Illustrated NASA History Program OfficeExternal links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to George Abbey Former BBC space correspondent Reg Turnill interviews Abbey in 2008 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title George Abbey NASA amp oldid 1122093774, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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