Frederick D. Gregory

Aerospace Leadership Expert & Former NASA Deputy Administrator; Veteran Astronaut & First African American Space Shuttle Commander

Annapolis, MD, USA
Live Event: Please Contact Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info
Adventure, Adventure, Astronaut, Black Heritage, Black History Month, Engineering, Executive Leadership, Military, Navy, Science, Space, Veterans
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Frederick D. Gregory Biography

Colonel Frederick D. Gregory is recognized for his contributions to American aviation and space exploration. A veteran of three space shuttle missions, Gregory was the first African American to both pilot and command a mission in space. Nominated by civil rights activist and member of Congress Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Gregory attended the United States Air Force Academy, where he was the only Black cadet in his class and among the few African Americans at the academy. Unlike many astronauts who began their careers as jet pilots, Gregory started as a helicopter pilot before transitioning to fixed-wing aircraft. He served in Vietnam, flying 550 combat rescue missions, and later attended the Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent, Maryland.

NASA introduced Gregory as a pilot among the first new astronauts selected for the space shuttle era, known as the "thirty-five new guys." His astronaut class included Guion Bluford and Ronald McNair, who, along with Gregory, became NASA's first African American astronauts to go to space. Gregory's first mission, STS-51B, was a Spacelab science mission on Challenger, where he served as pilot. He later commanded STS-33 on Discovery for a classified Department of Defense mission, becoming the first African American to command a spaceflight. Gregory also served as spacecraft commander aboard Atlantis (STS-44), logging more than 455 hours in space across his three shuttle missions.

After his final flight, Gregory transferred to NASA Headquarters in Washington, serving as Associate Administrator for the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance and then as Associate Administrator for the Office of Space Flight. He became NASA's Deputy Administrator, the first African American to hold the agency's second-highest leadership position, and briefly served as acting administrator, becoming the first African American to lead NASA.

Gregory's honors include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, 16 Air Medals, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, two NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals, the National Society of Black Engineers Distinguished National Scientist Award, and honorary Doctor of Science degrees from the College of Aeronautics and the University of the District of Columbia. Gregory was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame, recognized for his impact on aviation and space. Following his retirement from NASA, Gregory has engaged in consulting, advisory roles, and public speaking on aerospace topics, drawing on his experience in human spaceflight operations and safety. His career spans combat service, test piloting, space exploration, and executive leadership, providing insight into aerospace leadership, human spaceflight, and the advancement of diversity in STEM fields.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/13/2026.

Frederick D. Gregory Speaking Topics

  • How do you prepare to become an Astronaut…or anything?

  • Motivational Talks with students of All Ages

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Frederick D. Gregory Videos

CAIB: Fred Gregory NASA Deputy Administrator

CAIB: Fred Gregory NASA Deputy Administrator

Retired astronaut Frederick Gregory talks space travel

Retired astronaut Frederick Gregory talks space travel

Space Shuttle Atlantis, astronaut Fred Gregory at KSC in 4K

Space Shuttle Atlantis, astronaut Fred Gregory at KSC in 4K

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  • What topics does Frederick D. Gregory speak about?

    Frederick D. Gregory is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Adventure, Adventure, Astronaut, Black Heritage, Black History Month, Engineering, Executive Leadership, Military, Navy, Science, Space, Veterans

  • Where does Frederick D. Gregory travel from?

    Frederick D. Gregory generally travels from Annapolis, MD, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

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Frederick D. Gregory is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as How do you prepare to become an Astronaut…or anything?, Motivational Talks with students of All Ages, Revolutionary Thinking vs. Evolutionary Thinking and Life in Space. The estimated speaking fee range to book Frederick D. Gregory for your event is available upon request. Frederick D. Gregory generally travels from Annapolis, MD, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Victor J. Glover, Maj. Gen. Charles Frank Bolden, Jr., Yvonne Cagle, Robert Curbeam and Sunita Williams. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Frederick D. Gregory for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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