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
behind difficult evaluate giving hope ourselves path plenty remaining tasks time
We are giving ourselves what we hope is plenty of time to evaluate where we are, ... We don't see the tasks remaining before us being as difficult as the path behind us.
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.
aviation common flight hardware listening opinions people sending signals spend stuff test theme time
If you spend much time on this stuff and aviation accidents, a common theme is that of not listening to the signals the hardware is sending - the test results, the flight results, the dissenting opinions of the people involved.
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.
bullet turn
This time, it was Michoud's turn to take a bullet for the team,
april aspects certain cooperation nasa next relation relief russia seeking year
We at NASA are seeking relief from the (law), which after April next year would preclude cooperation with Russia in relation to certain aspects
assembly built choice chose complete confidence confronted fact focused former high largely logistics possibly redefining sequence station
We focused on redefining the station assembly sequence in fact to concentrate on assembly, and we are largely deferring utilization and we are paring logistics to the bone. We don't like that, but confronted with a choice between having a high confidence to be able to complete the assembly of the station and deferring utilization, or utilizing it heavily as we built it and possibly not finishing, we chose the former course.
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.
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We're talking about returning to the Moon in 2018. There will be a lot more hurricanes and a lot more other natural disasters to befall the United States and the world in that time, I hope none worse than Katrina,
babies chemistry supposed team
We're supposed to be a team, ... Team chemistry this year, baby.
looks
Much of it looks the same, ... It's a significant advancement over Apollo.
assemble complete early finish fiscal flights launch required schedule sometime
If we launch without setback, 16 (shuttle) flights are required to assemble the ISS and we'll finish sometime early in fiscal 2010, so we have, we believe, substantial schedule margin, to complete our job.
air cancel deal future investment problems program space
But the space program is a long-term investment in our future. We must deal with our short-term problems while not sacrificing our long-term investments in our future. When we have a hurricane, we don't cancel the Air Force. We don't cancel the Navy. And we're not going to cancel NASA.
affected assembly facility goes heart people soon talk visiting
My heart goes out to all the people affected by this hurricane, ... I will be visiting Stennis and the Michoud Assembly Facility soon to talk with our people.