Hyman George Rickover (January 27, 1900 – July 8, 1986) was a four star of the United States Navy who directed the development of the United States naval nuclear propulsion systems and controlled its operations for decades as director of Naval Reactors. In addition, he oversaw the development of the Shippingport power plant, the world's first commercial pressurized water reactor used for generating electricity. He also took control of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to improve nuclear safety to oversee the deployment of NASA's NERVA rockets to transport people and goods to the moon and interplanetary space.