G. Porter Bridwell 

G. Porter Bridwell received a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering in 1958. His engineering career began at Rocketdyne, where he worked on rocket engine design. In 1962, he commenced a 34-year tenure at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. Bridwell initially worked in the Saturn Systems Office and the Saturn V Program. In 1975, he transitioned to the Shuttle Systems Office, holding such roles as chief of the Project Engineering Office and deputy manager of the External Tank Project. Bridwell became manager of the External Tank Project in 1983 and advanced to manager of the Shuttle Projects Office in 1989. A year later, he was appointed director of National Launch Systems at NASA headquarters. In 1992, Bridwell returned to the Marshall Center as manager of the Heavy Lift Launch Vehicles Office, overseeing design, development and integration efforts. During his career, he also undertook special assignments with the Space Shuttle Redesign Team and, later, the U.S./Russia Space Station Integration Team. In 1994, Bridwell became the seventh director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, serving until his retirement in 1996. Purdue recognized Bridwell with an Outstanding Aerospace Engineer Award in 2013.