Andrew J. Stofan, a pivotal figure in NASA's history who led the agency's early space station efforts and revitalized a major research center, passed away on October 26, 2025. He was 90 years old.
Stofan's 30-year career with the space agency saw him rise from a research engineer to the director of the Lewis Research Center and later the Associate Administrator for the space station program, leaving a lasting impact on U.S. space exploration.
Key Takeaways
- Andy Stofan, a former NASA director, passed away at the age of 90.
- He is credited with saving the Lewis Research Center (now Glenn Research Center) from near-closure in the early 1980s.
- Stofan managed the nascent space station program following the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
- His daughter, Ellen Stofan, also had a distinguished career as NASA's Chief Scientist and Director of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.
A Career Forged in the Space Race
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Andy Stofan's journey into the world of aerospace began with a strong academic foundation. He earned a bachelor's degree in math and physics from Hiram College in 1957, followed by a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in 1958.
He joined the Lewis Laboratory in 1958, just months before the facility was absorbed into the newly formed National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on October 1 of that year. His timing placed him at the very beginning of America's civilian space program.
Starting as a researcher, Stofan's early work focused on cryogenic fluid management, a critical technology for the propellants used in rockets during the height of the space race. His expertise and leadership skills quickly became apparent, leading to more significant roles.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, he managed the Titan/Centaur project, which launched several major NASA missions, and later became the Director of the Launch Vehicles Directorate.
Revitalizing a NASA Center
After a brief period at NASA Headquarters in the late 1970s, Stofan returned to the Lewis Research Center in 1982 as its Director. He arrived at a critical time for the facility.
A Center on the Brink
When Andy Stofan took leadership in 1982, the Lewis Research Center had endured a decade of significant downsizing and budget cuts. The threat of permanent closure was a real possibility, and morale among the staff was low. Stofan's appointment was seen as a last chance to prove the center's value to the agency and the nation.
Stofan is widely credited with turning the center's fortunes around. He implemented its first-ever strategic plan in December 1982, a move that refocused its mission and secured its future. Under his guidance, the center took the lead on two high-profile programs: the powerful Shuttle-Centaur upper stage and the advanced power systems for the future space station.
In 2016, the Glenn Research Center (the renamed Lewis Center) recognized his transformative leadership by inducting him into its Hall of Fame.
A tribute from the Center noted that Stofan "not only provided the hope that was needed to carry on, but empowered staff with the confidence needed to create their own successful destiny." His cooperative management style and ability to motivate people were considered central to his success.
Many who worked under him adopted his managerial philosophy, extending his legacy through a new generation of NASA leaders.
Steering the Space Station Program
In August 1986, NASA called upon Stofan's leadership skills once again, appointing him Associate Administrator for the Space Station program. He took charge during one of the most challenging periods in the agency's history.
The program, initiated by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, was already facing significant funding hurdles. The situation was made far more complex by the Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy, which had occurred just seven months prior in January 1986.
Leading in a Time of Crisis
The loss of Challenger and its seven-person crew prompted a top-to-bottom re-evaluation of all of NASA's programs. Stofan was tasked with managing the space station's design and development while the agency was still grappling with the technical and cultural failures that led to the disaster.
Stofan guided the program through this difficult phase, laying crucial groundwork for what would eventually become the International Space Station. He retired from NASA in 1988, having left an indelible mark on human spaceflight.
Post-NASA Career and Family
After his retirement from public service, Stofan continued to contribute to the aerospace industry in the private sector. His roles included:
- Vice President of Advanced Launch Systems at Martin Marietta Astronautics
- President of Analex Corporation in Cleveland
- Director of Electro-Optical Systems for Lockheed Missiles and Space Company
Stofan's passion for science and exploration was passed on to his family. His daughter, Dr. Ellen Stofan, is a renowned planetary geologist who served as NASA's Chief Scientist from 2013 to 2016. She later became the Director of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum and is currently the Smithsonian's Under Secretary for Science and Research.
Andy Stofan is survived by his wife of 70 years, Barbara, his daughters Lynn Kaplan and Ellen Stofan, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.