Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders

    HomeAbout UsBiographiesDisplay      051206-F-JZ508-334.JPGEngage On
        
        051206-F-JZ508-334.JPGGARY E. PAYTONMr. Gary E. Payton is the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for Space Programs, Washington, D.C. He provides guidance, direction and oversight for the formulation, review and execution of military space programs. This includes oversight of all space and space-related acquisition plans, strategies and assessments for research, development, test, evaluation and space-related industrial base issues. 
Mr. Payton earned his Bachelor of Science degree in astronautical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy and his Master of Science degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from Purdue University. As an Air Force officer, he served as a pilot, instructor pilot, spacecraft operations director and space technology manager. In 1985, he flew as a payload specialist on board the Space Shuttle Discovery in the first military flight of the space shuttle program. He retired from the Air Force in the rank of colonel after more than 23 years of service, with his last duty in the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization. While there, he was responsible for directing the development of sensor and interceptor technologies for detecting, tracking, discriminating targets, and intercepting ballistic missiles in all phases of flight. He was instrumental in the initiation and management of the Midcourse Sensor Experiment, the Lightweight Exo-Atmospheric Projectile, Delta-183, Talon Shield, Clementine and the DC-X launch vehicle technology project. 
Mr. Payton has also served as NASA's Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Transportation Technology where he initiated, planned and led the Reusable Launch Vehicle technology demonstration program, which included the X-33, X-34, X-37 and DC-XA flight test projects. His responsibilities included program formulation, budget preparation and program advocacy with Congress, the White House, the Department of Defense and the media. For two years he was the Senior Vice President of Engineering and Operations for ORBIMAGE, a leading global provider of Earth imagery products and services. Prior to his current position, Mr. Payton served as the Deputy for Advanced Systems in the Missile Defense Agency. There he led the MDA technology program to enhance ballistic missile defense sensor, weapon and battle management capabilities. **EDUCATION**1971 Distinguished graduate, Bachelor of Science degree in astronautical engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. 
1972 Master of Science degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering, Purdue University, Ind. **CAREER CHRONOLOGY**1. 1972 - 1976, U.S. Air Force pilot and instructor pilot, Craig AFB, Ala. 
2. 1976 - 1980, Spacecraft Launch Director, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. 
3. 1980 - 1984, U.S. Air Force pilot and engineer, Spacecraft System Program Office, Los Angeles AFS, Calif. 
4. 1985 - 1986, payload specialist, Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-51C), Houston, Texas 
5. 1986 - 1990, Assistant Deputy for Technology and executive officer to the Director, Strategic Defense Initiative Organization, Washington, D.C. 
6. 1990 - 1991, student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 
7. 1992 - 1994, Deputy for Technology, Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, Washington, D.C. 
8. 1995 - 2000, Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Launch Technology, Headquarters NASA, Washington, D.C. 
9. 2000 - 2002, Senior Vice President for Engineering and Operations, ORBIMAGE, Dulles, Va. 
10. 2002 - 2005, Deputy for Advanced Systems, Missile Defense Agency, Washington, D.C. 
11. 2005 - present, Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for Space Programs, Washington, D.C. **AWARDS AND HONORS** 
Defense Superior Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster 
Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters 
Joint Service Commendation Medal 
Air Force Commendation Medal 
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award 
National Defense Service Medal 
Vietnam Service Medal 
1989 Purdue Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award 
1997 NASA Creative Management Award 
1999 Purdue Outstanding Aerospace Engineer Award 
2004 Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank Award 
(Current as of October 2009)
  Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil