posted 08-04-2011 08:19 AM               

Astronaut Steven Nagel is leaving the agency. Nagel is taking a position in academia.

"Steve has served the agency for more than 30 years. He's an incredible professional and leader, sharing his expertise and experience with everyone who has had the pleasure to work with him," said Janet Kavandi, director, Flight Crew Operations.

Nagel, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, began his career as a NASA astronaut in 1979. He flew four space shuttle flights including as a mission specialist on STS-51G in 1985 and as pilot on STS-61A in 1985. He commanded STS-37 in 1991 and STS-55 in 1993.

Nagel left the astronaut office in 1995 to serve as deputy director for the Operations Development, Safety, Reliability and Quality Assurance Office and later transferred to the Aircraft Operations Division where he performed duties as a research pilot, senior pilot, and deputy division chief.