Huntsville is naming a street near Bridge Street Town Centre after a former astronaut and retired U.S. Army brigadier general whose career impacted both Marshall Space Flight Center and Redstone Arsenal.

The Huntsville Planning Commission last month voted to change the name of Eagle Drive in Cummings Research Park West to Bob Stewart Drive in honor of former shuttle astronaut and retired Brigadier Gen. Robert L. Stewart, who served as deputy commanding general of the U.S. Strategic Defense Command at the arsenal.

Bob Stewart Drive is west of Research Park Boulevard and north of Old Madison Pike.

“In this influential role, he oversaw vital research efforts focused on developing ballistic missile defense technology,” City Planner Kevin Bernard said. “This mission was of paramount importance to the Huntsville area because of the arsenal and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.”

Stewart earned several honors during his military career before joining NASA’s astronaut core. A Vietnam combat veteran, he flew several aircraft and helicopters during his service, earning the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and other military honors.

While still on active duty with the Army, he became an astronaut in 1979.