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
agency announce entirely executing executive federal fit frame particular political required scientific scientists tone views whatever work
It is entirely appropriate for the administration to announce or espouse whatever political views they have. It is not appropriate for scientists at an executing federal executive agency to be required to adjust, skew, alter, or frame the tone of their scientific work to fit any particular political agenda.
almost envision flight full order rate schedule slack start
We have substantial schedule slack at this point, almost a full year. So we would have to have substantial difficulties that we do not now envision in maintaining our flight rate in order to start any consideration of contingency plans.
partners russian shuttle station sustained
Our Russian partners have steadfastly sustained the station while the shuttle has been down.
begin maybe objects region scientists within
It is fantastically interesting to me to have a chance, maybe within my lifetime, for scientists to see up-close what those objects look like and to begin our reconnaissance of that region of space.
action astronauts congress continuous efforts ensure helps nasa placed presence resolve space
NASA appreciates the efforts of Congress to resolve restrictions placed on our partnership with Russia. Congress' action helps to ensure the continuous presence of U.S. astronauts on the International Space Station.
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
almost decision delayed field science space ultimate work
To make a decision to work in the field of space science is almost the ultimate in delayed gratification.
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.
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.
largely logistics
We are largely deferring utilization (of the station) and we are paring logistics (flights) to the bone.
hard project ready shuttle space until year
We're going to try as hard as we can to get back in space this year because we have a big construction project we're working on and we need the shuttle to do it, ... So, we're going to try as hard as we can, but we're not going to go until we're ready to go.
designed developing earth
What we're really developing is the shuttle's successor, ... The CEV is designed to go to low-Earth orbit.
affordable believe safer venture ventures
We believe this venture safer and more affordable than any other spaceflight ventures that the U.S. has had,