CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- After the Challenger accident in 1986, Roy Bridges was supposed to fly on the next shuttle flight.
But he got a call from the Air Force to command the test flight center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. He resisted until he got a call from then-NASA Administrator Dick Truly asking him to comply with the Air Force's request.
Duty called.
"Right now, I'm going to Langley because duty calls," Bridges said. "I don't want to leave here. I love here."
Bridges will depart Kennedy Space Center as its director Aug. 10. He has served at the center since 1997.
He will become the director for Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., where he will oversee development of programs on new safety initiatives for the shuttle.
On Friday, the National Space Club Florida Committee sponsored a going-away dinner, where local space leaders gave Bridges several standing ovations.
"I have never worked for a man that I respect more than you, Gen. Bridges," said Jim Kennedy. "I thank you for accepting me into your family and to the KSC workforce. And I wish you Godspeed, sir."
Kennedy will take over as KSC director after Bridges leaves.
"I was not real happy when Mr. (Sean) O'Keefe called me and told me he was going to be moving you to Langley," said U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon, R-Melbourne. "I naturally thought that was a step down."
"I hope there aren't too many people here from Langley," he added to chuckles from the crowd.
Bridges is one of several top NASA managers to be shuffled around after the Columbia accident.
"If anybody can engender the sort of confidence that needs to be engendered for the future of manned space flight, it's Roy Bridges," said Congressman Tom Feeney, R-Oviedo.
Bridges said he and his wife would probably return to the Space Coast following this last move.
"I know if Benita has her way, we're keeping the condo on the beach, so we'll be back someday," Bridges said at the end.
Published under license from FLORIDA TODAY. Copyright © 2003 FLORIDA TODAY. No portion of this material may be reproduced in any way without the written consent of FLORIDA TODAY.
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