NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe has selected William F. Readdy as the agency's next Associate Administrator for Space Flight at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Readdy, a veteran Space Shuttle commander and Navy test pilot, replaces Frederick D. Gregory, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate Aug. 1 as NASA's Deputy Administrator.

Readdy floats through tunnel into the Spacehab module during his 1996 mission aboard shuttle Atlantis. Photo: NASA

Readdy will assume his new duties after Gregory takes the oath of office and will be in charge of NASA's human exploration and development of space. Since July 1998, he has served as space flight's Deputy Associate Administrator overseeing NASA's Marshall, Kennedy, Stennis and Johnson Space Centers. He also managed top-level policy planning and management of the Space Shuttle, International Space Station, Space Communications and Space Launch Vehicles programs.

"Bill is a distinguished astronaut, naval aviator and leader. He's played an important role in NASA's safe and successful human space flight operations," said Administrator O'Keefe in making the announcement. "He was the first manager of Space Shuttle Program Development charged with upgrading the Space Shuttle fleet. His experience with next-generation technology will be vital as the agency looks toward the future of human space exploration and reusable space launch vehicles."

A veteran of three space flights, STS-42 in 1992, STS-51 in 1993, and STS-79 in 1996, Readdy has logged more than 672 hours in space. During STS-79, Readdy was Commander of Atlantis as it docked with the Russian space station Mir.

He joined NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston in 1986 as a research pilot and instructor at Ellington Field. Readdy was selected as an astronaut in 1987 and has served in a variety of NASA technical and management positions at JSC and headquarters.

"Bill and I have worked very closely and effectively together for many years, as both astronauts and managers. We share a passion for flight safety and the advancement of human space flight," added Gregory. "This is a challenging time for NASA, but Bill is no stranger to challenges. I know he's up to the task. I'm excited for Bill and the future of this agency."

A retired Naval Reserve captain, Readdy was a 1974 Naval Academy graduate. Following fleet training in the A-6 "Intruder," he joined Attack Squadron 85 aboard the USS Forrestal deployed to the North Atlantic and Mediterranean from 1976 to 1980. He's a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and served as project test pilot and instructor on a variety of programs. Readdy also served on board the USS Coral Sea before joining NASA. He logged 7,000 flying hours in more than 60 types of fixed wing aircraft, helicopters, and has more than 550 carrier landings.

His honors include the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the NASA Space Flight Safety Award, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, two NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals, two NASA Exceptional Service Medals, three NASA Space Flight Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals, and various unit and service group awards.