posted 03-04-2004 01:42 PM               

Robert Cabana (Colonel, USMC, Ret.), who has flown on four Space Shuttle flights, has been named Johnson Space Center (JSC) Deputy Director.

Cabana takes over from Brock "Randy" Stone, who is retiring after a remarkable 36-year NASA career that included work on the Apollo lunar missions, Skylab, the Space Shuttle, and the International Space Station.

Cabana was selected as an astronaut in 1985, flying twice as a Space Shuttle pilot and twice as commander, accumulating more than 1,000 hours in space. Cabana served in a number of management positions supporting the astronaut office and the International Space Station program, as well as serving as NASA liaison to the Russian space agency. He is a native of Minnesota and a 1971 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.

posted 08-10-2007 01:42 PM               

It's with very mixed emotions that I share with you the news that I am leaving JSC to be the director of the Stennis Space Center. I am honored that Mike Griffin asked me and thrilled for the opportunity to lead the team at Stennis, but I will miss all of you immensely.

My 22 years working with you at the Johnson Space Center have been the greatest. This is the most talented, dedicated, and professional workforce anywhere and it's been a real privilege to serve with you and for you. I look forward to continuing a close relationship with all of you in my new position.

We have a tremendous challenge in front of us to fly out the Space Shuttle safely, complete the International Space Station and bring the Crew Exploration Vehicle on line as we prepare to return to the moon. We all have to work together as a team and sometimes that means changing assignments and responsibilities as we move forward.

This is an awesome team and I know you will continue to lead the way in Human Spaceflight.

posted 08-10-2007 02:56 PM               

On Friday (Aug. 10, 2007), NASA Administrator Michael Griffin named Robert D. Cabana, deputy director of NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, to replace Richard J. Gilbrech as center director at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.

As director of Stennis, Cabana will oversee all operations of NASA's primary center for rocket propulsion testing and the Applied Research and Technology Project Office. Stennis is a multi-agency center with operations or offices for 30 government agencies.

"With the spacecraft engine development work planned during the next few years, Stennis is a key to our future beyond low Earth orbit, and replacing Rick as its director is a difficult task," Griffin said. "We are lucky to have in Bob Cabana a highly experienced center deputy, test pilot, astronaut and engineer to fill this position. Few people have given more to NASA and to spaceflight than Bob. While he can do anything and could fill nearly any job at NASA, I am personally thrilled that he has accepted this opportunity to step up to the next level of our agency's senior management."

Cabana was selected as an astronaut in 1985, flying twice as a space shuttle pilot and twice as commander, accumulating more than 1,000 hours in space. Cabana served in a number of management positions supporting the astronaut office and the International Space Station program, as well as serving as NASA liaison to the Russian space agency. He has served as the Johnson Space Center deputy director in Houston since 2004. He is a native of Minnesota and a 1971 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

posted 09-30-2008 11:15 AM               

Cabana to Succeed Parsons as Kennedy Space Center Director

NASA announced Tuesday (Sept. 30, 2008) that William Parsons, director of the John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida, is leaving the agency in mid-October to pursue opportunities in the private sector. Parsons will be succeeded by former astronaut Robert Cabana, currently director of NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.

Gene Goldman, Stennis' deputy director, will become the acting center director.

Parsons, who joined NASA in 1990, also has served as director of Stennis. His other NASA assignments have included launch site support manager, manager of the Space Station Hardware Integration Office, chief of operations of the Propulsion Test Directorate, Space Shuttle Program manager and deputy director of the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

"It has been my distinct privilege to have gotten to know and work with Bill Parsons since joining NASA as the administrator," NASA Administrator Michael Griffin said. "In managing both centers and programs for NASA, Bill has demonstrated unswerving dedication to the mission and unshakable loyalty to his teammates. I have learned to expect that from marines, and Bill's early training is always in evidence. While wishing him well in his new endeavors, I will miss him greatly."

His successor, Cabana, is a native of Minnesota. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1971 with a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. Cabana is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and has logged over 7,000 hours in 36 different aircraft.

After his selection as an astronaut candidate in June of 1985, Cabana completed his training in 1986. He has flown four space shuttle missions, serving as the pilot of Discovery missions STS-41 in October 1990 and STS-53 in December 1992, commander of Columbia on STS-65 in July 1994, and commander of Endeavour on STS-88 - the first International Space Station assembly mission - in December 1998.

Before being named the director at Stennis in October 2007, Cabana served as deputy director of Johnson. In addition, Cabana has worked as chief of NASA's Astronaut Office; manager of international operations of the International Space Station Program; director of NASA's Human Space Flight Program in Russia; deputy director of the International Space Station Program; and director of Flight Crew Operations.

"Bob Cabana is long-time colleague, and another whose marine training has redounded to NASA's benefit," Griffin said. "Bob has seen it all and done it all in human spaceflight, and done it with an open, collaborative style. There is just no better teammate. He will be a terrific successor to Bill Parsons as Director of KSC."

posted 05-10-2021 02:30 PM               

NASA Announces New Associate Administrator

NASA Administrator Sen. Bill Nelson announced Monday Robert D. Cabana, who has served as director of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida since 2008, will serve as associate administrator effective Monday, May 17. Steve Jurczyk, who held the position since 2018, announced his retirement Monday.

"Bob has a relentless determination to expand America's role in space. Under his leadership, Kennedy has emerged as a modern, world class multi-user spaceport, partnering with commercial customers and supporting NASA's science and human exploration missions," Nelson said. "Bob is the real deal – he has the vision and management skills to bring NASA to even higher heights."

"I'm honored to have been selected by Sen. Nelson to serve as associate administrator of NASA," Cabana said. "Bill and I have a shared passion for America's space program, and I look forward to serving NASA and our nation in this new capacity. As much as I am going to miss the incredible team at Kennedy, I can't wait to take on this new challenge."

Nelson and Cabana first met in 1985 while Nelson was training to fly on the space shuttle and Cabana arrived at NASA as an astronaut candidate. At Kennedy, Cabana managed all NASA programs and activities at the spaceport, including the team of civil service and contractor employees who operate some of NASA's most critical programs, including its Commercial Crew Program.

Cabana graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1971 with a degree in mathematics. He was commissioned in the U.S. Marine Corps and completed Naval Flight Officer training in Pensacola in 1972. He was designated a naval aviator in September 1976 and went on to log more than 7,000 hours of flight time in more than 50 different kinds of aircraft.

Janet Petro, who has served as deputy director of Kennedy since 2007, will serve as acting center director. Petro also was central to Kennedy's transition to a multi-user spaceport, leading cross-agency initiatives with the Federal Aviation Administration and U.S. Air Force to streamline government processes, support commercial space operations, increase government efficiency, and limit redundancy.

Cabana will join a senior NASA Headquarters team including: Pam Melroy, nominee for deputy administrator; Margaret Vo Schaus, nominee for chief financial officer; Susie Perez Quinn, chief of staff; Bhavya Lal, senior advisor for budget and finance; Marc Etkind, associate administrator for communications; and Alicia Brown, associate administrator for legislative and intergovernmental affairs.

posted 11-13-2023 11:45 AM               

NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana to Retire After 38 Years

NASA Associate Administrator and former astronaut Robert Cabana announced Monday (Nov. 13) his retirement, effective Sunday, Dec. 31 after more than 38 years of service. As associate administrator, Cabana has been the agency's highest ranking civil servant, third highest ranking NASA official, and the senior advisor to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy.

Among notable contributions to the nation during his NASA career that included being an astronaut, Cabana flew in space four times, including twice as commander. His final space shuttle flight was the first International Space Station assembly mission. Cabana also was the director of the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for more than a decade. There he led its transition from retirement of the space shuttle to a multi-user spaceport once again launching NASA astronauts to low Earth orbit, and for the first time, doing so with commercial partners.

"Bob is one of the finest leaders I've ever known. I've been fortunate to know him for decades, and I couldn't be prouder to have had such a great colleague and friend throughout the years. Bob is an example of the American grit, passion, and excellence that are woven into the fabric of our nation," said Nelson. "Pam and I are eternally grateful for the years of service and positive influence he has had on the United States, NASA, and space exploration and wish him all the best on his upcoming retirement."

As associate administrator, Cabana leads NASA's 10 center directors, as well as the mission directorate associate administrators at NASA Headquarters in Washington. He is the agency's chief operating officer for more than 18,000 employees and oversaw an annual budget of more than $25 billion.

"Leading the exceptional people at NASA who explore the universe for the benefit of humanity has been a great honor," said Cabana. "From flying in space to guiding teams across the agency in achieving NASA's mission, I am grateful for an incredible career at NASA and in the space industry, and thankful for all the enriching friendships made throughout this journey. I have been blessed to be part of such an amazing team these last 38 years and serving as associate administrator alongside Bill and Pam has been a highlight."

Cabana was selected as an astronaut candidate in June 1985 and completed training in July 1986. He logged 38 days in space during four shuttle missions. Cabana was a pilot aboard space shuttle Discovery on both the STS-41 mission in October 1990 that deployed the Ulysses spacecraft and the STS-53 mission in December 1992. He was the mission commander aboard space shuttle Columbia for the STS-65 mission in July 1994 that conducted experiments as part of the second International Microgravity Laboratory mission. He commanded space shuttle Endeavour for the STS-88 mission in December 1998.

Cabana was appointed a member of the Federal Senior Executive Service in 2000 and served in numerous senior management positions at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, ultimately becoming deputy director. He was named director of NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi in October 2007 and a year later was selected as the Kennedy director.

Born in Minneapolis, Cabana graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1971 with a bachelor's degree in mathematics. He became a naval aviator and graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in 1981. In his career, Cabana logged over 7,000 hours in more than 50 different kinds of aircraft. He retired as a colonel from the U.S. Marine Corps in September 2000.

Cabana's many achievements have been recognized with induction into the Astronaut Hall of Fame and being named an Associate Fellow in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a Fellow in the Society of Experimental Test Pilots. He has received numerous personal awards and decorations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Presidential Distinguished Rank Award. He also is a recipient of the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement's National Space Trophy.

posted 04-01-2024 11:05 AM               

Former NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana to Serve as Senior Advisor to IBX

IBX, an innovation and investment firm revolutionizing the space and energy sectors, is proud to announce that Robert D. Cabana, a former NASA Associate Administrator, and distinguished astronaut, will join the company as Senior Advisor effective April 1. In his new capacity, Cabana will leverage his wealth of experience in leadership, aerospace, and innovation to advise the IBX portfolio companies' and provide strategic insights to Dr. Kam Ghaffarian founder and chairman of X-Energy, Intuitive Machines, Axiom Space, Quantum Space, and various other companies.

"We are thrilled to welcome Bob Cabana to the IBX family," said Ghaffarian, Founder and CEO of IBX. "His unparalleled experience in innovation, team leadership, and technical expertise will continue to drive the advancement of the commercial space industry and propel technological boundaries for the benefit of humanity. Bob's leadership at NASA was pivotal in managing diverse operations and forging key public-private partnerships, ushering in a new era of opportunity. We are thankful to have his invaluable insights and leadership on our team."

Prior to joining IBX, Cabana held the esteemed position of NASA's Associate Administrator, the agency's third-highest executive role and its highest-ranking civil servant. In this capacity, he served as a trusted advisor to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, providing strategic guidance and leadership to the agency's 10 center directors and mission directorate associate administrators. Cabana's tenure saw him overseeing a workforce of over 18,000 employees.

Before his appointment as NASA Associate Administrator, Cabana distinguished himself as the Director of NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where he oversaw all activities and facilities at the iconic spaceport. A decorated veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Cabana's journey into space began in 1985 when he was selected as an astronaut candidate. Over the course of his illustrious career, he embarked on four spaceflights, accumulating 38 days in space and serving as both a pilot and mission commander. Cabana's achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the Astronaut Hall of Fame and recognition as an Associate Fellow in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

"I'm truly excited to join Kam's innovative team at IBX, supporting the continued advancement of our nation's space program and pushing the boundaries of technology for a brighter future on Earth and beyond," said Cabana.