Richard H. Truly

Richard Truly
8th Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
In office
July 1, 1989 – March 31, 1992
PresidentGeorge H. W. Bush
Preceded byJames C. Fletcher
Succeeded byDaniel S. Goldin
Personal details
Born
Richard Harrison Truly

(1937-11-12)November 12, 1937
Fayette, Mississippi, U.S.
DiedFebruary 27, 2024(2024-02-27) (aged 86)
Genesee, Colorado, U.S.
EducationGeorgia Institute of Technology (BS)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1959–1989
RankVice Admiral
CommandsFighter Squadron 33
AwardsLegion of Merit
Defense Superior Service Medal
Distinguished Flying Cross
NASA Distinguished Service Medal
Astronaut career
Truly in October 1979
Space career
NASA astronaut
Time in space
8d 7h 21m
SelectionUSAF MOL Group 1 (1965)
NASA Group 7 (1969)
MissionsALT
STS-2
STS-8
Mission insignia
RetirementMay 1992

Richard Harrison Truly (November 12, 1937 – February 27, 2024) was an American fighter pilot, engineer and astronaut who served as a vice admiral in the United States Navy and as the eighth administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from 1989 to 1992. He was the first former astronaut to head the space agency.

After his departure from NASA, he led the Georgia Tech Research Institute from 1992 to 1997, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory from 1997 to 2005.