Robert L. Crippen is a retired NASA astronaut and a former naval officer. He was born on September 11, 1937, in Beaumont, Texas. Crippen is best known for piloting the first space shuttle mission, STS-1, aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in April 1981. This mission marked a significant milestone in space exploration. After his time at NASA, Crippen held various leadership roles in the aerospace industry, including serving as the president of Thiokol Propulsion. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to spaceflight and continues to be recognized for his impact on the field of aeronautics.