Michael Griffin
Michael Griffin
This prominent aerospace engineer and physicist served from 2005 until 2009 as Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Previously, he had headed Johns Hopkins University's Space Department.
ProfessionEngineer
Date of Birth1 November 1949
amazing america brilliant difficult humans machine shuttle station
As I have often said publicly, the shuttle is the most amazing machine humans have ever built, and it has been the recipient of the most brilliant engineering that America can provide. The station is a more difficult engineering project, by far, than was Apollo,
addressing launch shuttle
Right now, we're still addressing what the implications are on the shuttle launch schedule, and if I say I don't know what those are, that's an understatement.
apollo build designs far foundation greater proven shuttle spacecraft systems
This spacecraft and systems will build upon the foundation of the proven designs and technologies used in the Apollo and space shuttle programs, while having far greater capability.
building committed departing fly included number remains shuttle space vision
The administration remains committed to the vision for space exploration it has announced. That included a number of components, one of which addressed the fly out of the shuttle and the building of the station. We aren't departing from that.
hard project ready shuttle space until year
We're going to try as hard as we can to get back in space this year because we have a big construction project we're working on and we need the shuttle to do it, ... So, we're going to try as hard as we can, but we're not going to go until we're ready to go.
assembly confidence decision finish high sequence shuttle space station time together
The decision was to put together an assembly sequence that allows us high confidence that we will finish the space station by the time the shuttle is retired.
partners russian shuttle station sustained
Our Russian partners have steadfastly sustained the station while the shuttle has been down.
begin bigger chase dogs expensive flight future hope kept lie means people porch program proud renewed sad shuttle space time undertaken younger
This is a sad day for NASA. ... But also one of renewed hope for the future of NASA's manned space flight program. The end of the Shuttle Program means that we will begin a new program that will be bigger better and more expensive than anything we have undertaken before. I'm proud of the people that have kept the shuttle going, but the Shuttle Program is done. Its time for the shuttle, like an old dog, to lie on the porch and let the younger dogs chase the rabbits.
It was wonderful; it was magnificent; it was beautiful.
deal future investment problems program space
The space program is a long-term investment in our future. We must deal with our short-term problems without sacrificing our long-term investments in our future.
future investment program space
The space program is a long-term investment in our future,
delay entire existence friend program space tom
The space program has had no better friend in its entire existence than Tom DeLay. He's still with us and we need to keep him there.
almost envision flight full order rate schedule slack start
We have substantial schedule slack at this point, almost a full year. So we would have to have substantial difficulties that we do not now envision in maintaining our flight rate in order to start any consideration of contingency plans.
begin maybe objects region scientists within
It is fantastically interesting to me to have a chance, maybe within my lifetime, for scientists to see up-close what those objects look like and to begin our reconnaissance of that region of space.