Former NASA Johnson Space Center Director George W.S. Abbey passes away
HOUSTON - George W.S. Abbey, former director of NASA's Johnson Space Center, passed away on Sunday in Houston.
According to a release, Abbey was battling an illness.
George W.S. Abbey (Source: NASA Website)
The Seattle native had a long and storied career in human spaceflight that began with NASA in 1964 and continued beyond his retirement from the agency.
As director of flight operations, he oversaw selection of NASA's first space shuttle astronauts, mission operations, and the new shuttle program's approach and landing tests.
From 1987 to 1993, Abbey supported NASA Headquarters in Washington, serving in key roles in human spaceflight, and on the National Space Council.
He returned to Johnson Space Center in 1994, first as deputy director, then director, leading the development and launch of the space station.
Abbey retired from the agency in 2003.
In December 2021, NASA named the Saturn V rocket display park outside Johnson’s main gate for Abbey.
"A true visionary, Mr. Abbey demonstrated transformational leadership as Johnson’s seventh center director. During his tenure, the space shuttle flew more than 25 successful missions; the joint U.S. and Russian Shuttle-Mir Program was completed, providing important information for long-duration spaceflight," said Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA Johnson. "He was instrumental in the Johnson team’s involvement in developing and launching the first elements of the International Space Station, which marked the beginning of a new era in space exploration. On behalf of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, we send our condolences to Mr. Abbey’s loved ones during this difficult time."
Abbey was 91 years old.