Astronaut Robert Curbeam leaves NASA

HOUSTON, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency has announced the retirement of astronaut Robert Curbeam Jr., a veteran of three space shuttle missions.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration said Curbean is leaving NASA to accept a job in the private sector.

"Bob has served his country with distinction for more than 23 years, both as an astronaut and naval officer," said Brent Jett, director of the NASA's flight crew operations directorate at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. "His accomplishments and talents are truly extraordinary. We are grateful for his service at NASA and wish him well in his new career."

Curbeam most recently served as deputy director of the flight crew operations directorate. His last space flight was in December 2006 when he became the first shuttle astronaut to conduct four spacewalks during a single mission.

He served in a variety of technical and management positions with NASA's Astronaut Office in Houston. He also served as deputy associate administrator for safety and mission assurance at NASA headquarters in Washington and as director of safety, reliability and quality assurance for the Constellation Program.

NASA selected Curbeam as an astronaut in December 1994.