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Trailblazer in Space: A Chat with Astronaut Col Gregory (TB)

Meet astronaut Col. Frederick D. Gregory--pilot, space pioneer and the first African American to command a Space Shuttle. Hear his story of courage, leadership and breaking barriers. More than a talk, hear from someone who's pushed the boundaries of possibility. Whether you're passionate about space, aviation, science or leadership, his story will leave you thinking bigger about your own future.

Meet Col. Frederick D. Gregory--trailblazer, test pilot, and space explorer. As a NASA astronaut and the first African American to pilot and command a Space Shuttle, Col. Gregory helped shape the future of space travel. Over the course of three missions, he brought bold thinking, technical skill, and calm leadership to one of the most challenging roles on Earth—or beyond it.

But his legacy didn’t stop when he landed. As a senior NASA leader, including service as Deputy Administrator, Col. Gregory helped guide the direction of U.S. space exploration, inspiring generations of explorers and engineers.

This is more than a talk—it’s a chance to hear firsthand from someone who’s pushed the boundaries of possibility. Whether you're passionate about space, aviation, science or leadership, Col. Gregory’s story will leave you thinking bigger about your own future.

Come with questions. Leave with purpose.

Frederick Drew Gregory, USAF (Ret.) bio:

Frederick Drew Gregory, Colonel, USAF (Ret.) is a former test pilot, NASA astronaut, and NASA Deputy Administrator. He was born and raised in Washington D.C., graduating from Anacostia High School. He attended the United States Air Force Academy (nominated by New York Congressman, the Reverend Adam Clayton Powell) where he received his undergraduate degree in Military Engineering. He earned his wings after helicopter school, flew in Vietnam, transitioned to fighter aircraft, attended the Navy Test Pilot School, and then conducted testing as an engineering test pilot for both the Air Force and NASA. He received a master's degree from The George Washington University in Information Systems.

During his time in the Air Force, Gregory logged approximately 7,000 hours in more than 50 types of aircraft as a helicopter, fighter and test pilot. He flew 550 combat rescue missions in Vietnam.

In 1978, Gregory applied for and was chosen as a member of the first class of Space Shuttle astronauts.

Gregory became the first American with an African lineage to pilot a space craft, the orbiter Challenger on mission STS-51B. This flight was the second flight for the laboratory developed by the European Space Agency for scientific experiments on the space shuttle. The crew also deployed the Northern Utah Satellite before landing at Edwards Air Force Base. He was then the first person ever of African lineage to command any space mission with the launch of STS-33 in 1989 on the orbiter Discovery, which carried a classified payload. He then commanded STS-44 on Atlantis which in addition to deploying a Department of Defense satellite, DPS 15, also conducted extensive studies to evaluate medical countermeasures to long duration space flight.

After he left the Astronaut Office, he assumed the roles of Associate Administrator for Safety and Mission Assurance and as the Associate Administrator for Space Flight before becoming the NASA Deputy Administrator. As the leader of the agency’s human space flight program and as the Deputy Administrator, one of his biggest goals was to have humans leave low Earth orbit on a journey in which Mars was the first step.

Married to the former Barbara Archer of Washington, D.C. until her death in 2008. They had two children. Frederick, D., Jr., a former Civil Servant working in the office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (DOD) and the US Army, and a graduate of Stanford University and the University of Florida. Heather Lynn is a social worker and graduate of Sweet Briar College and the University of Maryland and works for the state of North Carolina. Fred is now married to the former Annette Becke of Washington, D.C. and together they have three children, seven grandkids and five great grandkids. The two oldest grandchildren also graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and a younger grandson was Army, Special Operations. Recreational interests include reading, boating, diving, biking, traveling and relaxing on a beach.

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