James Craig Adamson (born March 3, 1946) is a former NASA astronaut and retired Colonel of the United States Army.

[2] Adamson completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army at United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1969.

Following completion of his master's in aerospace engineering at Princeton University, he became assistant professor of aerodynamics at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

While at West Point, he developed and taught courses in fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, aircraft performance, and stability and control.

In November 1985, he was selected to the crew of a Department of Defense mission, which was subsequently delayed due to the Challenger accident.

During the Shuttle Program reconstruction period, Adamson was one of eleven astronauts selected to hold management positions within NASA.

After 80 earth orbits in 121 hours, this five-day mission concluded with a dry lakebed landing on Runway 17 at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on August 13, 1989.

The five member crew deployed a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-E) and conducted 32 physical and life sciences experiments.

Following Adamson's retirement from government service in June 1992, he continued as a management consultant to NASA and the aerospace industry.

Until September 1994 he served as management consultant and strategic planner for Lockheed Corporation in the area of Human Space Flight Operations.

In late 1995 he was selected by Lockheed Martin to start up and become the first COO of the United Space Alliance (USA), a joint venture with Rockwell International.

Named an Outstanding College Athlete of America, Adamson captained West Point's pistol team to the national championship in 1969.