Richard H. Truly

Richard Truly
8th Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
In office July 1, 1989 – March 31, 1992
President	George H. W. Bush
Preceded by	James C. Fletcher
Succeeded by	Daniel S. Goldin
Personal details
Born	Richard Harrison Truly (1937-11-12)November 12, 1937 Fayette, Mississippi, U.S.
Died	February 27, 2024(2024-02-27) (aged 86) Genesee, Colorado, U.S.
Education	Georgia Institute of Technology (BS)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1959–1989
Rank	Vice Admiral
Commands	Fighter Squadron 33
Awards	Legion 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
Selection	USAF MOL Group 1 (1965) NASA Group 7 (1969)
Missions	ALT STS-2 STS-8
Mission insignia
Retirement	May 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.