Robert L. Crippen

On April 30, 2009, astronauts Robert Crippen and Scott Carpenter visited the Save the Chimps sanctuary in Florida to pay tribute to the chimps who paved the way for the United States' successful missions into space and to acknowledge the chimps' contributions to the space program. Save the Chimps was established in 1997 in response to the U.S. Air Force's announcement that it was getting out of the chimpanzee research business. In 1999, Save the Chimps was awarded permanent custody of 21 chimps, survivors and descendants of those captured in Africa in the 1950s and used by the Air Force as test subjects for the original NASA space program. This event marked the first time astronauts visited the sanctuary.

Crippen joined the company Lockheed Martin Information Systems in April, 1995, as their Vice President for Automation Systems. He later became Vice President for Simulation and Training Systems.

Crippen served as the Director of NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center from January 1992 to January 1995. During his tenure, the center processed, safely launched, and recovered 22 Space Shuttle missions.

Crippen was the pilot of the first orbital test flight of the Shuttle program (STS-1, April 12-14, 1981) and was the Commander of three additional shuttle flights: STS-7, June 18-24, 1983; STS-41C, April 6-13, 1984; and STS-41G, October 6-13, 1984.

Crippen's accomplishments earned him many notable awards: the NASA Exceptional Service Medal in 1972; five awards in 1981, including the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Award, The American Astronautical Society of Flight Achievement Award, The National Geographic Society's Gardiner Greene Hubbard Medal, and induction into the Aviation Hall of Fame. In 1982 he won the Federal Aviation Administration's Award for Distinguished Service, the Goddard Memorial Trophy and the Harmon Trophy. In 1984 he received the U.S. Navy Distinguished Leadership Medal in 1988 and three Distinguished Service Medals in 1985, 1988, and 1993. He was elected a Fellow in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, American Astronautical Society and Society of Experimental Test Pilots.

Crippen became a NASA astronaut in September, 1969. He was a member of the astronaut support crew for the Skylab 2, 3, and 4 missions and for the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project mission.

As a Navy pilot from June 1962 to November 1964, Crippen completed a tour of duty aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence. He later attended the USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Upon graduation, he remained at Edwards as an instructor until his selection for the USAF Manned Orbiting Laboratory Program in October, 1966.

Crippen received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas in 1960. He was commissioned through the U.S. Navy's Aviation Officer Program.