G. Porter Bridwell
Center Director
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (Retired)
BSAE 1958
"Purdue provided the foundation for my career development."
Mr. G. Porter Bridwell graduated from Purdue with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering in 1958. He was the seventh Director of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. He served as Director from January 6, 1994-February 3, 1996.
Before becoming Director of the Marshall Center, he served as Manager of the Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle Definition Office, where he supervised efforts involving the proposed vehicle's design, development, and integration. He also served on special assignment with the Space Station Redesign Team and later the U.S./Russian Space Station Integration Team. Previously, he served as Manager of the Shuttle Projects Office. There he managed the Shuttle's propulsion elements, including the Space Shuttle Main Engine, External Tank, Redesigned Solid Rocket Motor, Solid Rocket Booster, Advanced Solid Rocket Motor and related systems and activities, including the Michoud Assembly Facility.
He began his professional career as an engineer with Rocketdyne in Canoga Park, California. He joined the Marshall Center in 1962, and his early experience included assignments within the former Saturn Systems Office and Saturn V Program Office. In 1975, he transferred to the Projects Office and served in key positions including Chief, Project Engineering Office, and Deputy Manager, External Tank Project. In February 1983, he was appointed Manager of the External Tank Project.
In the spring of 1987, he served temporarily as Acting Deputy Center Director, National Space Technology Laboratories in Mississippi and was appointed Director of Institutional and Program Support at the Marshall Center in October 1988. He assumed the position of Manager, Shuttle Projects Office, in May 1989.
In January 1990, Bridwell became the Director of National Launch Systems for NASA Headquarters, co-located at the Marshall Center. In February 1992, he transferred back to the Marshall Center from Headquarters, where he assumed his post as Manager of the Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle Definition Office.