Dr. Michael D. Griffin (born in 1949 in Aberdeen, Maryland) is the current NASA Administrator. Previously, he used to be head of the Space Department at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory , Laurel, Md.

On March 11, 2005, President George W. Bush announced his intention to nominate Michael Griffin to serve as the 11th Administrator of NASA. He has been confirmed by the Senate on April 13, 2005.

His experience includes a previous stop at APL in the 1980s, when he helped design the successful Delta 180 series of missile-defense technology satellites for the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization. After leaving APL in 1986, he served as the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization’s deputy for technology, and as both the chief engineer and associate administrator for exploration at NASA Headquarters.

In 1993, Michael Griffin wrote a letter criticizing certain problems in the design review process for the International Space Station. Although his career suffered as a result, it's thought that the incident is a strong indicator of Griffin's personal integrity. [1]

He was president and chief operating officer of In-Q-Tel, a private, non-profit enterprise funded by the Central Intelligence Agency to identify and invest in companies developing cutting-edge technologies that serve national security interests. Griffin’s resume also includes several leadership roles at Orbital Sciences Corporation and key technical positions at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Computer Sciences Corporation.

Before his appointment as NASA Administrator, Griffin was president-elect of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). He is a member of the American Astronautical Society and International Academy of Astronautics . In addition to a doctorate in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park, he holds a master’s degree in aerospace science from Catholic University, a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California, a master’s degree in applied physics from Johns Hopkins University, a master’s degree in civil engineering from George Washington University, an MBA from Loyola College in Maryland, and a bachelor’s degree in physics from Johns Hopkins University.

Griffin appears to have a long-term interest in human settlement of space. In 2004 testimony to Congress on the future of human spaceflight, he stated, "for me the single overarching goal of human space flight is the human settlement of the solar system, and eventually beyond. I can think of no lesser purpose sufficient to justify the difficulty of the enterprise, and no greater purpose is possible." In his testimony he also advocated heavy-lift launch capabilities, development of space qualified nuclear power systems, in situ resource utilization, and cost-effective medium-size transport to LEO.

Griffin appears to enjoy the support of many in the space business, and politics (both Democrat and Republican). Many observers note his willingness to question old ways of doing things, and praise his emphasis on "small, smart spacecraft instead of big, expensive ones", while deputy director of the SDI. Recent quotes pertaining to Griffin include

• [Griffin is] "an honest person who says what he thinks", Wesley Huntress of the Carnegie Institution.
• "I really think he will be the best administrator that NASA has had in decades. I expect he will make NASA shine", Alan Stern of the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado

References

• Nature 434, 261 (17 March 2005); doi:10.1038/434261a

External links

• Testimony by Michael Griffin October 16 2004 (The Future of Human Spaceflight)
• Testimony by Michael Griffin March 10 2004 (Vision for Space Exploration)
• Testimony by Michael Griffin April 7 2004 (Near Earth Objects)

Links related to nomination as NASA Administrator

• White House Statement on the Nomination of Michael Griffin to be NASA Administrator
• Space exploration fan nominated for NASA boss (New Scientist, March 11, 2005)
• Griffin Good for Space Exploration, Says Planetary Society (Match 11, 2005)
• Reaction to Griffin Nomination (NASA Watch)