O'Dell, Charles Robert. Dates: April 12; April 14, 1982. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 4 hrs.; 65 pp. Use restriction: Permission required to quote, cite or reproduce.

Briefly discusses O'Dell's (b. March 16, 1937) educational background (University of Wisconsin, PhD, 1962, astronomy) and his affiliation with the University of Chicago beginning in 1964. From 1966 to 1972 he served as Director of Yerkes Observatory. The interview's principal focus iS O'Dell's involvement with Space Telescope. From 1972 he has been Project Scientist for ST and from 1976 Associate Director of Science. The interview details the origins of ST, the evolution of instrument design, organizational relationships within NASA, the relationship between NASA and the astronomical community, and ST funding and the problem of cost overruns.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1     Childhood; parents; early schooling

2     College; origins of interest in astronomy

3     College; aeronautical engineering

4     Graduate school application

5     Grad. school decision; graduate advisor

6     Art Code and space astronomy at Wisconsin

7     Relationship between Code and Osterbrock; thesis interests

8     GSFC reputation at Wisconsin

9     Carnegie Fellowship at Mt. Wilson; relationship with Art Code

10     Post-doc work on planetary nebulae; instrumentation at Wisconsin

11     Perceptions of space astronomy

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

11     Berkeley position

12     Michigan versus Berkeley; changing Berkeley personnel

13     Offer and acceptance of Chicago position; ignorance of space astronomy

14     Administrative affairs at Chicago; Lyman Spitzer

15     Involvement with MSFC; GSFC

16     Jack Chamberlain and GSFC

17     Astronomy Missions Board and MSFC; post-Apollo applications

18     Manned vs. unmanned missions

19     MSFC consulting with Friedman and Meyer

20     Initial awareness of ST

21     ST institutional split; MSFC and GSFC

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

22     Reasons for taking MSFC Position

23     "Excepted Service" Position; MSFC program development; astronomy branch; astronomy branch engineer, Gene Oliver

24     More reasons for going to MSFC

26     Greenstein Report, NASA, and ST

27     ST AIAA Session

28     Advisory boards and NASA communication with boards

29     President's advisory committee on the space program; analysis of Gemini IX photos

30     Outside advice groups for ST; GSFC instrumentation

31     ST experiment peer review; John Bahcall's interest

32     Instrumentation philosophy; from universal instrument to several different instruments; film versus photoelectric

TAPE 2, SIDE 2

33     Spitzer, Princeton and the SEC Vidicon

34     ST Science Working Group, Phase B; project phases

35     LST, Phase A, final report; contractor proprietary feelings

36     Shift of ST from Phase A to B; making ST a budget line item

37     ST budget process; why ST was made a line item in Phase B

38     Strategies to keep ST alive; AO for ST

39     ST costing, budget requests

40     ST aperture size and launch vehicles

41     Selection of aperture size and consequences (control gyros versus reaction wheels)

42     "Black" technology - classified contractors

43     Congressional contacts

44     E. Bohlin, W. Proxmire and opposition to ST; ST auditing

TAPE 3, SIDE 1

45     Thoughts on being an "in-house" scientist; ST compromises

46     Giacconi's operating style

47     Giacconi; relations with the ST Science Working Groups

48     Problems with Perkin-Elmer and potential solutions; coming in within Budget

49     MSFC solution to budget problem and HQ response

50     Frank Martin's reaction to "cost" proposal

51     The problems of comprise and its perceived reaction

52     Fred Speer management style; Civil Service and scientists; Frank Martin, scientist-manager

53     Frank Martin; ST Space Science Working Group

54     ST Science Working Group reaction to possible budget cuts

55     Organizational moves within MSFC

TAPE 3, SIDE 2

56     Lack of ST funding

57     Reasons for cost underestimates; instrument-contractor selection

58     Post ST launch plans and the Carter ethic laws

59     Ability to advocate ST inside NASA; ground-based telescope abilities and costs

60     Ground-based telescopes and the limits of scientific avarice; MMT

61     Planetary influence on ST; ESA cooperation

62     OAO, Stratoscope, and ST

63     Doing science at MSFC

64     Future plans for research and work at Rice

65     Most satisfying part of ST association

O'Dell, Charles Robert. Date: December 15, 1982. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 1.5 hrs.; 18 pp. Use restriction: Permission required for access.

This is a continuation of the April 12 and 14, 1982, interview. O'Dell (b. March 16, 1937) chronicles the evolution of thought on the post-launch use of ST within NASA and among the astronomical community. He details the positions of the Hornig Committee, NASA HQ and Goddard on the establishment of the Space Telescope Science Institute; the development of the RFP for STSI; the evaluation of proposals; and the selection of an Institute Director.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1     What's missing from other tape - Space Telescope Science Institute

1     Bias in post-launch ST use; a national facility

2     Goddard astronomy & ST

2-3     Origins of ST Science Institute; Files

3     Goddard vs. ST Science Institute

3-4     NASA HQ in ST Science Institute planning and decision process; Noel Hinners

4     Origins of Hornig Committee; HQ view of ST Science Institute

4-5     Spitzer and ST Science Institute decision; Huntsville interests

5-6     Hornig Committee, HQ and O'Dell testimony

6-7     Hornig outcome & O'Dell

7     Caught as NASA employee-astronomer

7-8     NASA response to Hornig Committee; O'Dell & Hornig Committee

8     Hornig committee records

8-9     NASA HQ & ST Science Institute; GSFC writing ST Science Institute RFP

9-10     GSFC strategies to kill ST Science Institute

10     Preparing the ST Science Institute RFP

11-12     Source Evaluation Board process; role of site in selection; getting finalists in the RFP

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

12     Sites and proposers on ST Science Institute RFP

12-13     USRA

13     Choosing a final winner of ST Science Institute RFP

14     Recommending AURA; Spitzer versus Code

14-15     Choosing Institute director; perceptions of Giacconi

16     RFP's for mirror; Black Saturday

16-17     Planetary interests in ST

17     Involvement with Westphal and WFPC

17-18     Personal research

Pickering, William Hayward. Date: December 14, 1982. Interviewers: Allan A. Needell, Joseph Tatarewicz. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 2.5 hrs.; 35 pp. Use restriction: Open.

Reviews Pickering's (b. December 24, 1910) career in electrical engineering and physics at California Institute of Technology as instructor and professor of electrical engineering (1936-76) and at JPL as Section Director and Director (1952-76). The interview centers on significant aspects of Pickering's role in the development of rockets at JPL, and in cosmic ray, upper atmosphere and deep space research. His work spans from the early use of rockets for upper atmosphere research to research with satellites and lunar and planetary probes. He specialized in research on guidance and telemetry systems, including pointing controls, and the RIGS and RTV systems. Also discussed are his perceptions of JPL, IGY, interservice rivalries in the development of rockets and satellites, as well as his contact with Wernher von Braun, John B. Medaris and James Van Allen.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1     Cosmic ray work in 30's and 40's with Neher at CALTECH

1     The idea of going outside the atmosphere

2     Challenge, interest and satisfaction in developing techniques and equipment

2-3     Transition to applied work at JPL; entrance into rocket era

3     Study at MIT; Lee Du Bridge, Wheeler, Loomis

4     Development of WAC Corporal, precursor of the Aerobee, as a scientific sounding rocket

5     Interest in the WAC Corporal and involvement in the Upper Atmosphere Research Panel

6     Role on the panel; Van Allen and Loki and Deacon rockets

7     Competition between NRL and various groups; the Viking; Jesse Greenstein

8     Development of Corporal as a weapon

8     China Lake and the Navy rocket project; Bill McLean's satellite proposal at China Lake

9     Problems, feelings and scientific interest in the V-2 era

9     Technological challenge of pointing controls

10     Project Orbiter, Stewart, the ABMA proposal

10     Von Braun's role in providing a visionary attitude toward space research

11     Long-play rocket (LPR) proposal committee

12     Problems with the V-2's; Redstone

12     Stewart Committee recommendations, Vanguard proposal

13     The Viking program; the improved Aerobee

13-14     The desire to keep the IGY Satellite programs separate from the military development programs; personal feelings; the efficiency of piggybacking on going missile programs

15     RTV program; Rayburn and Medaris; the development of the Jupiter IRBM

15-16     Work on Radio Inertial Guidance (RIG)

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

17     Working on RTV and RIGS systems; relationship with Medaris

17-18     How the RTV worked

18     Possibility of launching a satellite at that time

19     Development of technical capabilities in a Government arsenal or contracted out to industry: the implications of this debate for JPL

20     Role in the IGY, Van Allen, the meaning of the term "deal"

21     Specific responsibilities, details of the understanding with Van Allen

22     Difference between Deal 1 and Deal 2; involvement of secrecy

23     The Redstone; Launch vehicle development

24     Contact with Stewart, formation of NASA, ARPA

25     Relationship with STL; Si Rama and Louis; role of civilian space agency; NACA

25-26     Role of the Space Science Board, JPL's role in the unmanned deep space

27     Relationship between the Laboratory and Van Allen's group

27     Launch of the Explorer, reactions; Red Socks proposal

28     Sputnik; race with the Russians; Atlas

29     Launch vehicle situation; Juno proposals, the Centaur, Agena, the Vega program

30     Origin of the Vega launch vehicle; the Hibbs study

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

31-32     Study of a Mars Mission; JPL and NASA; Glennan and Dryden

32     Relationship with the Ordnance Dept. at the Pentagon; confidence in satellites

33     Position at NASA; preparing for lunar, planetary, and interplanetary projects

34     Jastrow's lunar committee; debate concerning experiments

34-35     Problems with NASA

Pickering, William Hayward. Date: August 4, 1983. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 1.5 hrs; 25 pp. Use restriction: Open.

Examines Pickering's (b. December 24, 1910) career at California Institute of Technology as instructor and professor of electrical engineering (1936-76) and at JPL as Section Director and Director (1952-76). The interview concentrates on his contributions and views on cosmic ray, upper atmosphere, and space research from the V-2 era to the early 1960s. Pickering work on telemetry and instrumentation is discussed as he relates his experiences at JPL, including his perceptions of the development of upper atmosphere research at JPL, politics between JPL, CALTECH and NASA, and ground-based astronomy versus space astronomy.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1     Geiger counters vs. ionization chambers in cosmic ray physics

1     Balloon studies and problems in cosmic ray physics

1     Interest in getting above the atmosphere

2     Building a cosmic ray telescope with Fred Zwicky

2     Consideration of rockets before and in the early years of WWII

2-3     First Awareness of V-2s

3     JPL investigation of rockets and long range weapons

3-4     Competition with General Electric: Corporal and Sergeant

4     Engineering vs. science at JPL: WAC

4-5     Princeton Telemetry Conference; telemetry work with Nichols

5     Telemetry philosophies: NRL and Princeton

5-6     Research and Development Board (RDB): telemetry standards

6     Attempt to organize upper atmosphere work just after WWII

6     Army vs. basic research at JPL

7     Miniaturizing telemetry instrumentation

7-8     CALTECH astronomers lack of interest in space astronomy

9     ORDCIT

9-10     Howard Seifert

11     Guy Stever and the dead time effect

11     JPL Report No. 8: instrumentation in rockets

12     Encouraging JPL to get into upper air research

12     RDB and telemetry committee

13     Air Force Scientific Advisory Group

13     Contact with AFCRL

14-15     Reaction to JPL Report No. 8; attitudes toward telemetry

15     RDB upper atmosphere panel

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

15-16     Herb Friedman

16     Van Allen and Rockoons

16     Funding for upper atmosphere work; effect of IGY

17     Early consideration of satellites

17-18     Interaction of scientists and engineers in V-2 era

18     Lack of interest in solar and planetary astronomy around 1960

19     Tommy Gold

19-21     Encouraging contact between JPL and CALTECH; relations between JPL and CALTECH

21     JPL's move to NASA; recruiting staff; JPL bureaucracy

22     Recruiting lunar and planetary astronomers; providingexperimental access to NASA missions

22-23     NASA's support of ground-based astronomy

23     Table Mountain 84-inch and George Wallerstein

24-25     Summary comments

* Porter, Richard W. Date: April 16, 1984. Auspices: SAOHP. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Length: 5 hrs.; 145 pp. Use restriction: Not established.

After describing his upbringing and undergraduate and post-graduate education, Porter (b. 1913) reviews his work as an engineer for General Electric beginning in 1937 and his contributions to various Army projects during the war, including studies of the V-2 program. He then discusses his postwar efforts in getting German missile specialists and technology to the United States; and involvement in the Hermes project from 1945 until its discontinuance in 1954, including early flight testing of V-2s at White Sands, development of missile components and fuels, and relations with other missile development projects. Porter next describes participating on the Stewart Committee, IGY Panel, and Space Science Board; and relations with Jim Webb, Hugh Dryden, Lloyd Berkner, and others during this period.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-21     Early Life and Education

1     Family Background

2     Early interests

3-5     University of Kansas

6-7     Interests while at engineering school

8-9     Summer activities

10     GE job offer

11     Yale fellowship

12-13     Decision to take a doctor's degree; the Coffin Award

14-15     Thesis topic

16     Early contacts at Princeton

17     Interest in woodwind instruments

18-20     Working for General Electric summers of '36 and '36

21     Desire to work for Bell Labs

21-31     Early Career at General Electric

21     Decision to work in the test program

22     Desire to contribute more than the others

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

23     Testing large transformers

24-25     GE advanced course in engineering at Schenectady

26     Amplidyne work with Edwards

27     Description of an amplidyne generator

28-29     Applications: a Pittsburgh paper mill, a Virginia power plant

30-31     The searchlight application

32-42     Work during the war

32     In charge of five control systems using B-29s at GE

33-34     Amplidynes; remote control systems

35     Light activated shutters

36     Photoelectric tracker with remote control turrets for machine gun systems

37     First contact with radar

38-39     Building a spinning radar for MIT

40-41     Design of the circuitry of the photo cell

42     Designing new systems

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

43-118     Activities at the end of the war: The Hermes Project

43     Richal contracting GE for rocket weapons research and development

44     Why GE was chosen

45     Reading intelligence reports on V-2s

46     The original contract

47     The Hermes Project

48-49     Choosing the group of five

50     The challenge of working with rockets

51     Leaving for Europe; Hull, Hausz, Norris, Liebhafksy and Porter

52     Increasing awareness as to the capabilities of V-2s

53     Reading reports

54     Discovering a German wind tunnel technician

55     Fritz Zwicky

56     Visiting an instrument factory

57     Getting working models of magnetrons

58     Von Braun in Garmisch

59     Long range V-2 plans

60     Sorting through 10-15 freight car loads of documents and gadgets

61     Interviewing Germans

62-63     Telegram from Williams about taking German scientists back to the United States

TAPE 2, SIDE 2

64-65     Getting people out of the Hartz Mountain area

66     Selecting German scientists

67-68     Origin of the ideas for the scientific use of V-2s

69-71     Two dimensional ram jet propelled missile

72     The V-2 as an extension of the WAC Corporal experiments

73     Erich Regener

74     Toftoy's goals in firing V-2s

75     Rocket panel group with Newell, Megerian, Van Allen, Dow

76     Discussing a Bureau of Aeronautics memorandum

77-79     Ideas and interest in upper atmosphere research

80     Importance of atmosphere research for firing V-2s

81-82     When Porter found out that there would be 60-100 V-2 rockets fired

83     The GE firing crew at White Sands, under Pappy White

84     Dustbin detainee camp

85-86     Problems with the original German V-2 engines

TAPE 3, SIDE 1

87     Improving specific V-2 instrumentation

88-89     Scientists' getting their experiments ready for V-2 firing

90     Army/GE conflicts; Bain, Krause

91-93     Interest at JPL and CALTECH in rocket research; Pickering, von Kharman

94     Telemetry instrumentation of the V-2s

95     Army/Navy competition

96-98     Relationship between Viking, Hermes, and Redstone projects

99-100     GE's reluctance to get into military work; Belanger, Cordner

101     ABMA; Army and strategic warfare development

102     Impact of nuclear weapons

103     Stabilization of V-2s

104     Ordnance's goals vs. Army Field Forces' goals

105-106     Response to a report by Tom Carroll on the beginnings of the solid propellant

106     Letter to Toftoy on Project Hermes; technical advances

107     Idea for a floated gyro

108     Tubular rocket engine

TAPE 3, SIDE 2

109-110     How firing V-2s helped Porter's design work

111-112     The Bumper and the WAC Corporal

113-114     High Reynolds number experiment; choice of Cape Canaveral launch site

115-116     First supersonic combustion ramjet

117     Borane fuels

118     First hybrid rocket engines

119-140     GE Consultant on Advanced Engineering in New York; IGY Panel

119-123     Stewart Committee in IGY and the decision to use a civilian launch vehicle

124     Titan

125     Vanguard and Redstone

126-127     Chairman of Satellite panel of IGY Committee; Joe Kaplan

128-130     Space Science Board panel; COSPAR, Lloyd Berkner, and Soviet relations

TAPE 4, SIDE 1

130-132     COSPAR (continued)

133-134     Formulation of the Space Science Board and its goals

135     Impact of NASA

136     Relations between SSB personnel and NASA personnel

137-138     Differences as to how science should be done; pros and cons of manned space flight

139     SSB and ground-based astronomy

140     Transition from IGY to SSB and NASA

141-145     Working For NASA; Assistance to ARGUS Experiments

141-142     Continuing to work for the Academy and NASA instead of returning to GE

143-144     Argus experiments

145     Porter as a generalist "holding hands"

Purcell, James D. Date: October 28, 1982. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 2.5 hrs.; 45 pp. Use restriction: Public.

Examines Purcell's (b. 1912) engineering and optical work at NRL, beginning in 1946, on spectrographs used in flights on V-2s. His work involved the final construction and alignment of the optics of the UV spectrographs, design of the film recording mechanism, and preparing the spectrographs for launch.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-7     Initial contact with V-2s

1     Family background; interest in physics; college

2     Work at Naval Observatory during war

3     Move to NRL, work with Tousey

4     Measuring ozone, techniques of calibration; infrared work, finishing wartime work

5     Initial V-2 contact; co-workers at NRL

6     Spectrograph astigmatism correction by entrance mirrors; design of V-2 spectrograph, and changes in optical design

7     Seeing Mg II doublet; thrill of new data and opening up new regions of observation

7-14     Need for new techniques and instruments: thin films and gratings

8     Problems with diffraction gratings; blazing problems,design criteria in grating

9     Pointing controls; stray light and interference coatings for gratings; grating ghosts

10     Quartz gratings

11     Stray light; double dispersion and its effects; problems with spectrographs with double dispersing systems

12     Discussing photo of large angle concave grating instrument; solar range in Lyman alpha

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

13     Film versus photoelectric detector; why film was chosen; importance of triaxial control

14     Spectroheliograms; role of analysis of data during times when new flights may reveal better data; Purcell's interests; role in design work

15-17     Getting money: Optics Branch organization

15     Dr. Donald Packer and Herb Friedman - research interests

16     NASA and NRL; Friedman; stellar shells and Lyman alpha; Bryam's work

17     Photoelectric vs. film as a detector; White Sands

17-20     Going to White Sands

18     Integration at White Sands

19     Calibrating the spectrograph; specific steps in the procedure

20     Mounting spectrograph in a V-2; other instruments in the fin; thermoluminescent phosphors for Lyman alpha

21-22     Pointing controls

21     Development of UV film; V-2 sun-follower

22     V-2 spectrograph design - only one at NRL for V-2

23-25     What to do after the V-2s ran out

24     Other work and feelings during the V-2 era; why did the Navydo it

25     The Navy's research and opinion of why and how Navy got into space research; astronomers at NRL

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

26-34     Preparing a V-2 spectrograph for launch

26     Martin Koomens; coronagraphs planned for Aerobees by University of Colorado

27     Difference between Baird and NRL spectrograph; making spectrograph's flyable

28     The lack of note taking calibration procedures

29     Mounting a V-2 spectrograph; alignment technique; positioning the spectrum on film

30     Work and rocket assignments; control of NRL and V-2s

31     Calibration and alignment of spectrograph lithium fluoride beads; fitting beads into spectrograph - informal trouble shooting

32     Film clutch mechanism; problems with film movement in flight

33     Testing at White Sands; telemetry for housekeeping

34     Timing for film advance and the timer; Calibration with carbon arc

35     Viking and later work

35     Spectrograph in Vikings and discussion of NRL spectrographs in NASM Collections; thermoluminescent phosphor detector Use of Viking spectra by Wilson et al

36-38     Examining photos from ATM and NRL 3-color images from ATM

37     Crater of V-2 flight crash, June 1946

38     V-2 number 54; fueling scene

TAPE 2, SIDE 2

39-47     Examination of early photographs, cont

39     Spectrograph in nose of V-2

40     Photo identification; Don Bradshaw and Aerobee

41     Photo identification of Aerobee experiment or a Viking

42     White Sands pictures picture of Purcell removing spectrograph; Project Blossom; Space General

43     Relationship with GE; rocketsonde; looking at spectra photos, and Lyman alpha instrument

44     Lyman camera (solar disk)

45     Solar Spectra pictures; pictures from pointed Aerobees

Rense, William A. Date: July 27, 1983. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 2.5 hrs.; 60 pp. Use restriction: Public.

Recounts Rense's (b. March 11, 1914) career at the University of Colorado as associate professor (1949-56) and professor of physics (1956-80) and as Co-director of the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (1956-78). After a discussion of his early life and education (Ohio State University, PhD, 1939, physics), the interview focuses on Rense's work on pointing controls and spectrographs at the Upper Air Lab, especially with reference to the photographic recording of Lyman alpha for the sun. Also discussed are the formation of Ball Brothers; relationships with and contracts with NRL and AFRCL; and the impact of Sputnik.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-2     Early life in Ohio

1-2     Family

2     Early interests on astronomy

2-4     Undergraduate at Case, 1931-1935

3     Members of Physics Department: Miller and Shankland

3     Interest in optics

3-4     Frontiers of astronomy: nature of the planets

4     Interest in graduate work

4-8     Graduate work at Louisiana State University and quick departure to Ohio State University

5     Interest in astronomy but perceived need to train in physics

5     Master's thesis in terrestrial absorption of solar spectrum

6     Choice of PhD research in vacuum spectroscopy (See p. 10)

7     Origin of interest in solar spectrum was through Hynek

7-8     Thesis study - vacuum UV study of rare earths

8-10     First professional positions - teaching physics

8     University of Miami, Rutgers, Texas A and M Louisiana State University

8     Taught physics during WWII

9     Reflectivity research

9     First contacts in 1946, '47 during summer session

10     The University of California

10-60     Upper Air Laboratory

10     Interests of Pietenpol in grazing incidence techniques

10     Origin of Upper Air Laboratory

11     W.O. Roberts' influence

11     AFCRL connection and interests

11     Structure of projects: pointing controls and solar study

12     Rense's role

12     Contact with pointing control people

12-13     Design of pointing control

13     Biaxial design

13     Used on V-2 once

13-15     Design of grazing incidence spectrograph

14     Instrument design

15     Mechanical design assistance

15     Grating

15-18     Scientific motivation for instrument

15     Predication of UV character of the sun

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

17     Race to confirm existence of Lyman alpha line

17     Decision to use grazing incidence optics

17     Further improvement with single grating stigmatic spectrograph, 1956

17-18     More discussion of University of Colorado pointing control on crashed V-2 Coronagraph may have been on it; Denver of Rhode Island

18     First flight of 1952 spectrograph: two firsts

18-21     Contact with other scientists

19     Tousey visits and inspect pointing control

19-20     Menzel and astronomers: astronomers' skepticism

20     At Colorado: problem of keeping project in physics department

20-21     Pietenpol leaves University of Colorado about Ball Brothers is formed (see also page 33.)

21     Value of photographic detection of Lyman alpha: line widths

21     Theoretical analysis of Lyman alpha: line widths

22     Need for pointing control

22-23     Schedule of launch of first spectrograph

22     Schedule set by Air Force at Holloman

22     Calibration procedure and focussing

23-25     Provisions for failure retrieval, etc.

23     Tests of pointing control

24     Position at University of Colorado: tenure

25     Interest in Echelle design

25     McAllister leaves for Hawaii

25-26     Recollections of Tousey, Friedman

26     Photographic detection philosophy

27     Retrieval of original grazing incidence spectrograph

27-29     Design changes in grazing incidence spectrographs (see pages 30-31)

28     Toroidal mirrors; Tousey's stress design

28     Problems with stray light

29-31     Development of the monochromatic camera

30     Graduate students: Miller Stewart, Mercure

31     Direction of research

31-32     Zodiacal light research

32     Interest in stellar astronomy from rockets

32-35     Administrative duties and problem of acceptance by Physics Department

33     Problem of keeping support in physics department (see page 41-42)

33     University research organization

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

34     Rejection by Physics Department (see p. 51 and elsewhere)

34     AFCRL research policy

35     NASA support

35     Co-director of Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics with Ed Todd

35     Charles Barth's directorship

36     Continued discussion of spectrographs and experiments

35     McAllister's work

36     William Behring's work

36-37     Formation of Ball Brothers group and effect on University of Colorado Group

37     Recollections of students who moved to Ball: Jackson, Mercure, Bartor, Stacy

37-38     Recollections of Pietenpol

37     Speculation of his positive reaction to AFCRL offer

38     Lecturer

38-45     Contact with Edwards of AFCRL

39     Edwards' opinion of value of rocketry

39     Possible military value of research

39     1958 Russian tour and meetings

39-40     Changes in design and capabilities of pointing controls

40     Interest in hiring Hans Hinterregger away from AFCRL

40-41     Photoelectric work of Hinterregger and Rense's reasons to say with photography

41     Hinterregger derivation of line intensities

41     Rense's interest in existence and identification of lines

41     Contact with Charlotte Moore

41-42     Engineering experiment station

42-43     Problem of the half-width of Lyman alpha

42     Resolving power problem (See p. 48)

43     NASA funding and later version of an echelle (See p. 45)

43-46     Impact of Sputnik

43     W.O. Robert's predictions

44     Moscow IUA. 1958

45     NRL continues to purchase University of Colorado pointing controls provided by Fred Wilshusen's group

45     Demise of pointing control work at University of Colorado

45-46     Planning for the future

46-47     Scientific goals and satellite research

46     Solar model

46     Solar-terrestrial relationship

47-48     Links with Sacramento Peak and use of their data

47     Research on coronal hole radiation

48     Need for positional information

48     Need for higher resolution profile instruments (See p. 42)

49-50     Lack of involvement in stellar work

49     Stellar Group at LASP

TAPE 2, SIDE 2

49     Knowledge of 1955 stellar work at NRL group

50     Continued discussion of H. Hinterregger

51-52     Discussion of why there were so few rocketry groups in 50s

51     Resentment by faculty of Upper Air Labs grants (See p. 33)

51     Fear of military or government control of research

52-53     Sabbatical year at AFCRL - 1964

53     Advantages of a university environment

53-54     Public reaction to first work in rocketry

54     New York Times

54     Member of Geophysical Institute

55-58     General observations of his role in space

55     Role of military in origins of space science

55-56     Value of man in space

56     Limitations of unmanned satellites

56-57     Remaining advantages of photography

57     Most satisfying work: detection of 304 A HeII, and full recognition of existence of chromospheric line spectrum

57     The process of science

58-61     Comments on research materials and documents

53     Contact with Menzel and Roberts

53     Opinion of Menzel

58-59     The Denver University spectrograph

59     General staff listings of Upper air Laboratory

60     Research plan and structure

Roberts, Walter Orr. Date: July 26; July 28, 1983. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 8 hrs.; 144 pp. Use restriction: Permission required to quote, cite or reproduce.

Reviews in detail Roberts's (b. August 20, 1915) work on the solar corona, solar spicules and prominences, origin of geomagnetic disturbances, and the influence of variable solar activity on the earth's ionosphere and weather during his graduate education at Harvard (PhD, 1943, astrophysics) and during his varied career as a researcher and administrator. Discussed are Robert's participation in the establishment of the Climax, Colorado, solar coronagraph station of Harvard College in July 1940, while a graduate student under Donald Menzel; his work as Director of the High Altitude Observatory, University of Colorado (1946-61); and his tenure as Director of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (1960-68).

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-6     Family background and early home life

1     Father's athletic interests

2     Father's occupations as a football coach and farmer Grandmother's background (on mother's side)

3     Mother's interests Distaste for farm work Summers as a youth on Cuttyhunk Island

4     Early interest in science; influence of Lincoln Davis Interest in model an telescope building

5     Early interest in astronomy Interest in aviation

6     Decision to go to Amherst

6-10     High School in Brockton, Mass

6     Quality of Brockton High School

7     Music and dance activities - mother's interest in social graces

8     Interest in photography

9     Trip to Europe; establishing lifelong contact with a Dutch family

10     Migraine headaches

10-17     Undergraduate work at Amherst

10     Fraternity membership

11     Professors

12     Special Projects in physics Introduction to quantum mechanics Major in physics

13     Work at Kodak Experience with photographic emulsions

14     Efforts to remove fraternities from Amherst

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

14-17     Summer work at Kodak in the product development department

17     Decision to go to graduate school at Harvard. Interest in astronomy

17-42     Graduate work at Harvard Major in physical chemistry; other course work

18     Astronomy course with Menzel; colleagues

19     Transfer to major in astronomy

20     Professors Atmospheres at Harvard - Shapley's parties

21     Percy Bridgeman and operationalism

22     Reaction of Oldenberg and Mees to change in major

23     Hollow squares

24     Periodogram analysis of solar constant data

25     Interest in solar periodicity cycles through Menzel - building a Lyot coronagraph

26     Optics for the coronagraph Destruction of coronagraph: preservation of Littrow spectrograph

27     Objective lens of coronagraph - cleaning

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

     Objective lens of coronagraph - made by Jim Baker

28     Initial results with the coronagraph from Oak Ridge

29     Marriage Site selection for coronagraph - Climax site Moving the coronagraph to Climax

30     PhD - building and using the coronagraph to observe the sun's corona Problem of the temperature of the corona and the solar spectrum, and the problem of the cause of the ionosphere

31     Controversy over the nature of the solar continuum in the ultraviolet

32     Stratospheric Laboratory proposal Coronal green line

33     Lyot and Kiepenheuer Knowledge of work on the atomic bomb

34     Kiepenheuer and coronagraph stations

35     Connection with ultraviolet spectroscopy - Sacramento Peak site selection Design of coronagraphs - problem of parasitic light

36     Menzel's lack of understanding of coronagraph design Solving the parasitic light problem - help from Lyot

37     Jack Evans and birefringent filters Getting the Climax observatory operational

38     Origin of birefringent filter

39     Placement of optics on outside of coronagraph

TAPE 2, SIDE 2

40     Development of the roller drive - problem of rocking in gear drives

41     Detection of massive solar prominence, June 1946. Getting coronagraph and spectrograph working in 1941 - making maps of coronal brightness and contact with H.J. Dellinger

42     Relationship between coronal activity and radio fade-out and ionospheric disturbance. Classification of project and of thesis Development of Interservices Radio Propagation Laboratory from coronal project

43-70     Wartime work

43     IRPL

43     Predicting radio fade-out

44     Richard Silberstein; Dana Bailey and forward scatter propagation

45     Classified information and communication with non-military colleagues

46     C.E.K. Mees

46-48     Rediscovery of solar spicules

49     Role of spicules - heating the corona Reception of the importance of spicules

50     1945 paper on spicules

51     Major unresolved questions in post WWII period about nature of the sun

52     Place of solar physics in American astronomy

TAPE 3, SIDE 1

53     Soviet eclipse expedition in 1935 - Menzel and Gerasimovic

54     Expedition spectrograph and its rehabilitation for use with coronagraph

55     R.W. Woods and gratings for the coronagraph Calibrating photographic plates

56     Coronagraph schematic from 1952 article

57     Harry Ramsay

58     Role of rock astronomy in immediate post WWII era - contact with Krause

59     Sacramento Peak Observatory site selection

60     1946 space coronagraph

61     Externally occulted coronagraph, or visual sky photometer

62     Principle of apodization; space coronagraph studies - far vs near corona pointing accuracy

63     Consultation on 1946 space coronagraph with Menzel

64     Georgi Dimtiroff and German coronagraph designs

65     Russian coronagraph work

66     Contact with other coronagraph work researchers

TAPE 3, SIDE 2

67     Khartoum eclipse expedition in 1952

68     Early interest in rocketry through NRL and other groups The 8-inch and 16-inch telescope at Climax

69     Meeting Lyot in 1946 - observing solar flares

70     Origin of AFCRL contract with Univ. of Colorado to build coronagraph for Aerobee

70-144     Sacramento Peak, HAO

70     Development of Sacramento Peak in post WWII period; incorporation of HAO in 1946

71     8-inch coronagraph

72     Site survey for Sacramento Peak

73     Support from the Research Corporation

74     HAO funding problems, ca. 1950

75     Fund raising - funds for the dome

76-77     Security clearance problems during McCarthy period

78     Menzel's security clearance problems

79     Political conflicts at the Harvard observatory - Shapley and Menzel

80     National Bureau of Standards - move to Boulder due to presence of HAO Rocket research at Univ. of Colorado and HAO

81     Attitudes toward the Russians, communism - Shapley and Menzel

82-83     Menzel requesting Roberts resignation over security clearance problems, 1951-1952

84     Separation of Harvard from HAO

85     Menzel's security clearance problems

86     Shapley's role in security hearings

87-88     Receiving security clearance - confusion with another Walter Roberts K-coronameter

90-91     Closing down Climax Observatory - moving administration of HAO to Boulder from Climax

92     Cosmic ray work at University of Colorado Victor Regener

93     Role in launching of V-2s in 1946

94     Rocket explosion in October 1946

95     Effect of explosion on attitude toward rocket research

96     Participation in planning of experiments on rockets Establishment of Ball Brothers from university physics department

TAPE 4, SIDE 2

97     "Liberal" atmosphere at University of Colorado

98     Sun followers - development

99     HAO weekly/monthly summaries of progress

100     Historical speeches on space exploration and travel

101     Developing the HAO staff

102     Solar Associates

103     Recruiting theorists and experimentalist for HAO Students at HAO - from Harvard, University of Colorado and elsewhere

104     Summer programs

105     Gordon Newkirk at Sac Peak

TAPE 5, SIDE 1

105     Contact with Goldberg and Aller

106     Cecilia Gaposckin

107     Robert McMath Networks in solar astronomy - Harvard

108     Comparison of different solar groups

109     Skepticism on whether the coronagraph worked

110     RCA's and others' interest in solar physics

111     Development of interest in atmospheric physics, especially meteorology - drought cycles and C.G. Abbott

112     Work with Dick Craig on effects of solar activity on weather

113     International Geophysical Week in 1952 - correlation of geomagnetic disturbances with barometric pressure patterns

114     Interest of Menzel in meteorology; Work with Woodbridge and Norman McDonald on relationship between geomagnetism and barometric pressure

114-115     Relative interest in solar physics vs atmospheric physics

115     Funding problems for meteorology in mid 50's

116     Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Relations

117     Relationship of HAO meteorology work with NBS

TAPE 5, SIDE 2

118     Balloon research at University of Denver

119     Solar constant - effect on weather Berkner Report and NAR and NSF Offer of position of director of NCAR

120     Critics of research on effects of solar activity on weather C. G. Abbott

121-122     Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory - competition between Harvard and Univ. of Colorado

122-123     SAO interest in getting involved in space research - Whipple

123     NCAR and balloon research

124     Personal interest in aviation Other balloon groups

125     Manned versus unmanned balloons Coronagraph research in balloon

126     Extent of balloon research at NCAR Page and Palestial flight sites NASF funding at HAO

127     Obtaining NASA funding for NCAR/HAO Support for ground-based astronomy Coronagraph for Skylab

128     HAO/NCAR involvement in OSD series, AOSO and OGO series

129     Value of Skylab

130     Establishment of World Weather Watch - objection to participation by university scientists

131     UCAR Comparison of meteorological and astronomical communities

TAPE 6, SIDE 1

132     NCAR Philosophy

133     Von Neuman's interest in meteorology

134     Philosophies of research at NCAR Interest in the atmosphere circulation of Jupiter

135     Relationship to work of Murray Mitchell, Abbott and Louis Thompson

136-137     National Science Board of NAS and the establishment of NCAR

138     Role of director in NCAR

139     Being persuaded to accept directorship of NCAR

140     Plan for an institute of technology in Colorado

141     Relationship between science and technology - influence of Bridgeman

142     Federation of American Scientists

143     Major affiliations Overview of career

144     Financial independence

Roman, Nancy Grace. Dates: January 28; February 2, 1983. Interviewer: Joseph Tatarewicz. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 2 hrs.; 29 pp. Use restriction: Open.

Principally examines Roman's (b. May 16, 1925) career involvement in astronomy, first, at the University of Chicago as an astronomer (1946-55), and then, at NASA as an administrator of astronomical programs (1959-79). The interview outlines the character of ground-based lunar and planetary astronomy before the establishment of NASA, especially as it relates to the work of Kuiper and Urey; and then, after NASA's formation, NASA's support for such astronomy and its relation to space astronomy.

    January 28, 1983

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-3     Career before NASA

1     Contact with Kuiper and Urey while at Chicago and Yerkes

2     Choice of thesis topic; feelings toward Kuiper's work on the planets

3     Work at NRL; motivation for doing lunar radar work

3-10     Lunar and planetary research before NASA State of the lunar and planetary parts of the OSSA program; Clark; JPL and Hibbs; the limits of technology

5     Lunar and planetary research; Jastrow's Lunar Committee; technical progress (pointing sounding rockets and establishment of the OAO)

6     Importance of ground-based observations; reaction of astronomers to the new technology

7     Reactions of various astronomers; East-West Coast conflict

8     Participation of industry in the lunar and planetary area: Boeing, Lockheed, North American Aviation

9     People doing the consulting; publications; Kuiper and Middlehurst "The Solar System"

10     Role of the Air Force in lunar and planetary research

    February 2, 1983

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

10-17     Kuiper and Urey's lunar and planetary research before NASA

11     The collaborative work and relationship of Urey and Kuiper at Chicago

12     Kuiper's observational work; the beginnings of his planetary work in 1947

13     Faculty at Yerkes; the feeling toward planets; the Yerkes-Chicago campus community

14     Faculty and student contact on campus; Urey and Kuiper's importance in pre-NASA planetary astronomy

15     Integration of new observations; influence of past theories: Von Weizacker, Lowell, Moulton-Chamberlain, Minneart

16     Connections an dependence between observations, interpretations, and technology; Wildt, Adams and Dunham, Herzberg; stellar astronomy

17     Kinds of planetary astronomy supported by the Air Force in the '50's

18-29     NASA and the field of planetary and lunar astronomy; firstlunar radar; choosing a dedicated lunar and planetary observatory site

19     Kuiper's proposal for funding for observatory

20     The staff at the observatory; the telescope

21     Whether or not a NASA funded telescope should be dedicated only to lunar and planetary work; the contract

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

22     Ground-based stellar and planetary work; where (geographically) this was being done

23     Ray Newburn at JPL, Brunk; the astronomy subcommittee

24     Various people involved in planetary astronomy

25     Pointing control work at Ames; interested in cosmogony

26     Planetary astronomy at NASA under Bill Brunk; The connection between the expanding ground-based planetary program and the Voyager

27     The ground-based work as a function of NASA, or NSF

28     The Apollo decision

29     The Shuttle decision

Rosen, Milton W. Date: March 25, 1983. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 3.5 hrs.; 57 pp. Use restriction: Permission required for access.

After brief discussion of Rosen's (b. July 25, 1915) family, educational and early employment background, the interview focus on his early career at NRL as a rocket engineer (1940-58), especially his role in the reorganization of NRL after WWII to use V-2s for upper atmosphere research and his development of the Viking rocket. From 1940 to 1945 Rosen worked on radar systems for guided missiles. After the formation of the Rocketsonde Branch in January 1946. Rosen spent a year studying rocket technology at the Liquid Rocket Section, JPL, where he began development of the Viking. Upon his return he served as Head of the Rocket Section, Rocketsonde Branch (1947-52).

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-5     Family background and early home life

2-3     Father's occupation - family owned general store

3-4     Early interests - reading, music, baseball

4-5     Enjoyment of school

5-6     Central High School in Philadelphia

5     C.A. Bareuther

5-6     Mayor's scholarship to University of Pennsylvania

6     Deciding on a field of study in college

6-8     University of Pennsylvania, Moore School of Electrical Engineering

6     Ambiance of the Moore School

7     Education in physics

7-8     Work during school year and summers

8     Job outlook after college

8-9     Westinghouse job as junior engineer Responsibilities

9     Attempt to introduce quality control

9     Getting laid off

9-11     Employment in Washington D.C.

10     Federal Power Commission

10-11     Civil Service exams and other temporary jobs

11     Officer from NRL

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

12-17     NRL from 1940

12     Research atmosphere and opportunity to learn at NRL

12-13     Electronic pulse techniques research

13     Work on guided missiles with E. Krause

13     British radar in WWII

14-15     Project of putting radar in pilotless aircraft

15     First awareness of German guided missile work through WWII intelligence work

15-16     First British radar

16     Use of British radar in pilotless aircraft

16     Comparison of pilotless aircraft to German missiles

17     German V-1s - duplication after capture in US and analysis of guidance system

17-18     V-2s and weapons after WWII

18     Post WWII intelligence reports

18-19     Krause and information obtained from post war interrogation

19-20     Piecing the technical characteristics of the V-2

20-21     Deciding on research program at NRL after the war; guided missiles

21-22     Developing interest in rocketry

22-23     Proposal for upper atmosphere research in fall 1945

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

23-24     Response to proposal from other NRL section heads; support of Gilbert Perlow

25     Krause's response

25-26     Argument for guided missile research

27-28     Acceptance of proposal by group and Krause's ability to sell it

28     Basic versus applied research

28-29     Organization of Rocketsonde branch

29     Personal interest in upper atmosphere work

29     Krause's managerial style

29     Activities between November and December 1945 in preparation for Rocketsonde branch

29     Knowledge of availability of V-2s Krause asking Rosen to be rocket expert

30-31     Going to JPL to learn about rocketry

31     Working with C.H. Smith on rockets - development of two different designs, one leading to Viking, the other to Aerobee

31     Organization of Rocketsonde Section

32     Krause and V-2 panel

32     Work with C.H. Smith

32-33     NRL telemetry

33     Krause leaving NRL in 1947

TAPE 2, SIDE 2

34     GE, Martin and the Viking contract

35     GE and Project Hermes

35-36     Selection of Martin for Viking contract

36     Weekly NRL staff meetings knowledge of Tousey's work

37     Battles over space and weight

38     Interest in high altitude photography

38-39     Year at JPL - work with Sommerfield and Canright on ceramic liners for rocket

40     Courses at CALTECH

40-41     Development of the Aerobee by APL and NRL at Aerojet

41     Fritz Zwicky

41-42     Aerobee

42-43     V-2 panel - open exchange of information

43     Krause' and Newell's leadership of the panel

43     Rocket motor liners

44     Return to NRL in 1947

44     Development Viking while ate JPL

45     Experience of V-2s in developing Viking design

45-46     Problems in firings of V-2s

46     Viking launch records

TAPE 3, SIDE 1

47     Colonel Turner

47-48     R.B. McLaughlin

48     Contact with upper atmosphere work at JPL

49     Contact with Redstone and von Braun

49     Contact with Convair rocket groups

49-50     Exchange of information with other rocket scientists

50     NRL scientists input on specifications for Viking

51     Ground based reconnaissance of rockets - painting rockets

51-52     Clyde Tombaugh

52     Herbert Karsh

53     Contact in V-2 period with German rockets scientists

54-55     Interest in science in early rocket period - work on Viking

55-56     Viking at NASM

56     Von Braun and the promotion of spaceflight

56-57     Viking at NASM

Scheiderman, Dan. Date: July 27, 1982. Interviewer: Allan Needell. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 1 hr.; 44 pp. Use restriction: Permission required for access.

Focuses on Schneiderman's career as an electronics and systems design engineer at JPL, which began in 1950. His early work centered on guidance radar systems for aircraft and computer systems for rocket guidance. After the advent of satellites and space probes, he moved into instrument package and spacecraft systems design and management, working in varying capacities on Pioneer, Ranger and Mariner.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-10     How Schneiderman got into electronics

1     Signal Corps in WWII on radar maintenance team

2     Radio school

3-9     Attu, Alaska

5     Types of radar

6     Reading

7     Description of the BABS landing system

8     Radio altimeters, SCRl 584; contract with MIT

9     Electrical engineering and mathematics

10     Course in electronics and mathematics at Berkeley

11     First and second jobs

12-44     JPL

12     JPL's projects; getting hired: Cliff Cummings, and Jack James

13     Qualifications; Bill Collier

14     Working for Pickering; background of Cummings and James

15     The WAC Corporal

15-16     Analog and digital computers

17     Digitizing the guidance radar; first experience with transistors

18     Working for Librascope (temporarily)

19     Return to JPL working on analog computers

20     Explorer 1, General Medaris

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

20     Pioneers 3 and 4, involvement in Jupiter RIGS systems; launching of the Vanguard

21     Effect of the launch of Sputnik

22     Jupiter and Atlas launches

23     Pioneer 3 and 4, work on payload package

24     Downhower, Van Allen, Comuntzis; the timing mechanism

25     Mechanical timer (continued); Timex watch story

26     Description of picture of Schneiderman, Medaris, von Braun, and Glennan

27     Dr. Pickering's memo regarding a 350 pound spacecraft to go to Mars

28     Designing this spacecraft

29     Invention of RC hexagonal bus; problems with a passive system

30     Meeting with Pickering; evolution toward a generalized planetary probe

31     Design of Mariner R and Ranger

32     John Small, Jim Burke, role in these programs

33     Mariner 4, 2, 1; Spacecraft Systems Manager

34-36     Sterilizing Pioneer 3 and 4

37-38     Responsibilities as manager; impedance mismatch between a scientist and an engineering manager

39-40     Launch of Mariner 1; failure party

41     Comparing Ranger and Mariner; role during launch

42     Examination of the command list; Mariner 3 and 4

43-44     Project Manager for Mariner 4; Bill Collier, evolution of Mariner 5 mission to Venus

*Schorn, Ronald A. Date: July 27, 1983. Interviewer: Joseph Tatarewicz. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 1.5 hrs.; 36 pp. Use restriction: Not established.

A broad-ranging discussion of Schorn's career starting with planetary radio astronomy training at the University of Illinois, followed by optical planetary astronomy at JPL (1962-73). Includes Schorn's tenure (1963-4) as first acting program chief for planetary astronomy at NASA HQ. Schorn offers his perceptions of the attitude toward planetary astronomy at NASA nd in the community of astronomers. He also discusses NASA support of ground-based astronomy; his success in getting ground-based observatories built while at NASA; the role of ground-based astronomy in the development and design of space probes (examples of the determination of the surface pressure of Mars and the prediction of the presence of water on Mars); and Icarus, APJ and publishing in the fields of planetary and radio astronomy.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-3     Names; Where they are today

4-5     Coming to Headquarters, 1963; Liddel

6-7     Position as acting program chief; The start of planetary astronomy as a program level activity; Nancy Roman and problems with the ground-based planetary astronomy conflict; Spinrad, Munch

8     Reorganization of offices within OSSA putting ground-based astronomy on same level as N. Roman's stellar astronomy

9     Funding for refiguring the 82-inch and the 88-inch telescopes; Newell's attitude

10     The SSSC; Robert Seamans

11     NASA's attitude toward ground-based astronomy; Greenstein, Webb

12     Convincing Headquarters; The effect of Spinrad's reestimating Mars' surface pressure

13     The effect of the problems with the Voyager capsule; Funding from NASA

14-15     Funding from NASA (continued); Concern that NASA follow through in supporting research; Funding memos

16     Reorganization of SL; N. Roman's attitude toward ground based astronomy

17     Feelings of stellar and galactic astronomers toward the 107-inch telescope

17-18     Conflicting feelings on building an observatory to view Mars

18-19     Idea of incorporating amateurs in ground-based astronomy

20     Newburn, JPL and NASA

21     Schorn at JPL after Headquarters

22     Harlan Smith's proposal for refiguring the 82-inch at Texas

23-24     Problems for radio astronomers

25     Oran Nicks; Hy Spinrad

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

26     Newburn; The importance of having a PhD; General qualifications for astronomers

27     Schorn and Spinrad's letter to Whitford about publishing problems with ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL

28     The Mars surface pressure question; role of the Mariner

29     Publishing in ICARUS instead of ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL

30     Owen, Spinrad and Schorn on the water-on-Mars idea; Toby Owen

31-32     The effect of Mariner 4 and Bruce Murray; Smith's contracting for the mirror for 107-inch Telescope; Funding

33-36     Possible directors; more memos

Schwarzschild, Martin. Date: April 20, 1983. Interviewers: David H. DeVorkin, Ralph Kenat. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 1.5 hrs.; 19 pp. Use restriction: Open.

Schwarzschild (b. May 31, 1912) discusses the role of Russell, Eddington, Chandrasekhar, Unsold and Opik in the development of theories on stellar structure and evolution, as well as the astrophysicist's use of models and observations in theory building and testing. Also briefly discussed is the reception of the introduction of computers into astronomy. Other topics include Stratoscope; and NASA and the support of space astronomy.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1     Observation an models in astrophysics

1-2     Modeling in astrophysics as analog to experiments in physics

2     Eddington's view of observation and models

3     Early attitudes in astrophysics to the use of computers; Kienle and Russell

3-4     Attitudes of classical astronomers to the use of computers

3-4     Eckert and IBM machines at Columbia

4-5     Attitude of astrophysicists working on interiors to the use of computers

5     Robert Marshal and a solar model

6     Opik 1938 papers

6-7     First knowledge of Opik's paper was seen as extremely speculative

8     Effect on astrophysics of not recognizing Opik's work

8-9     Chandrasekhar and Gamow dispute on matter degeneracy/nondegeneracy in the core

9     Keller's thesis work

9     Dispute continued

10-12     Eddington, hydrogen abundance, and the mass luminosity ratio

11     Chandraskhar attitude towards Eddington; Stromgren and Eddington's change of mind

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

12     Rosseland hydrogen ejection mechanism

12-13     Role of Eddington's book on stellar interiors in Schwarzschild's career

13-14     Manned vs. unmanned Stratoscope

14-15     Plan to launch Stratoscope from an aircraft carrier

15-16     Space astronomy and the Whitford committee

16-17     PSAC discussions of the combined stellar and solar platform

17-18     Attitude of NASA administration to combined large scale projects

18     Separating the three OAOs

19     Availability of documentation of PSAC panel meetings

Schwarzschild, Martin. Date: June 18, 1982. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 3.5 hrs.; 50 pp. Use restriction: Open.

Concentrates on Schwarzschild's (b. May 31, 1912) career at Princeton (1947- ) as an astrophysicist, investigating theories of stellar structure and evolution, and his recollections of colleagues, especially Henry Norris Russell. His recollections of Russell illuminate Russell's influence in the astronomical community. The principal aspect of Schwarzschild's career covered is his involvement with Stratoscope I and II, including their design, instrumentation, and results achieved. He also comments on the relative merits of balloon versus rocket astronomy.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-2     Relations between J.Q. Stewart and H.N. Russell

2     The curve of growth

3     Relations between H.N. Russell and Carpenter

3-4     Russell's influence in the astronomical community

4     Russell and computers

4-5     Russell and Z. Kopal

5-6     Russell and Shapley

6-7     Attending Harvard Summer Schools

7     Anecdote on Russell

7-8     Russell and Wildt; hydrogen in the sun

8-9     Russell's knowledge of quantum mechanics

9-10     Numerical vs. analytical methods in astronomy

10     Milne and Eddington

10-11     Vannevar Bush differencing engine

11-12     Exposure to early computers at Columbia

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

12     Shell source calculations

12     Chandraskhar and numerical vs. theoretical approaches

12-13     Contact with Chandrasekhar

13     Russell and Homology invariance

13-14     Russell's successor at Princeton

14-16     Awareness of V-2s and their scientific uses

16-17     Work at Aberdeen

17     Ballistics work

18-19     Conservatism towards space work

19-20     Balloon astronomy

20-50     Stratoscope

20     Fathers attempt to examine solar spectra from a Zeppelin

20-21     Initial funding; Spitzer's role

21-22     Design of stratoscope; pointing controls

22-23     Manned versus unmanned balloons

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

23-24     Use of television techniques in photographing the sun

24-25     Initial funding

25     Stratoscope working group

25-26     Use of Stratoscope as training for future efforts

26-27     Scientific results

27     Results and convection theory

28     Other investigations on the reject

28-29     Makeshift approach

29     Test site in Minneapolis

29     First flight

30     Contact with R. Nidey

31-32     Initial thoughts about Stratoscope II

32     Reaction to Sputnik

33     Possibility of Spitzer leaving Princeton

33-34     Infrared and Stratoscope II

34     Funding

34-38     PSAC

TAPE 2, SIDE 2

35-37     NASA observatory platform, OAO and OSO

38-40     Evaluation of Stratoscope II

41     Military use of balloon telescopes

41-42     Role on PSAC

42-44     Lobbying for NASA and astronomy programs

44     Kitt Peak National Observatories space division

45-46     Ultraviolet and X-ray space astronomy - comparison

46     Contact with J. Greenstein

47     Role of Sputnik in stimulating basic science and science education

48-49     Open versus closed universe

TAPE 3, SIDE 1

49     Spiral arm formation

49-50     Neutrinos

50     Stratoscope artifacts

Silberstein, Richard. Date: July 28, 1983. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 1.25 hrs.; 19 pp. Use restrictions: Public.

Discusses Silberstein's (b. 1906) career at National Bureau of Standards, beginning in 1941, where he studied the effects of the ionosphere on radio transmissions. The interview is principally concerned with his 1945 proposal to use V-2s for upper atmosphere research.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1     Early family background

1-2     Early scientific interests; radio

2     Father's encouragement to be an engineer

3     College training at Columbia University

3     Depression and first job at RCA

4     Work at Sonotone Corporation

4     Work at DeWald Radio

5     Founding Precision Inductance Corporation

5     Work with United Aircraft

5-6     Concern over being drafted

5-19     Career at NBS

6     Application to National Bureau of Standards

6-7     Harry Diamond nd evening teaching at George Washington University

7     Training in ionospheric science

7-8     Ionospheric data analysis during WWII

8-9     Background to proposal of February 1945 for the use of V-2 for astronomy

9     Goudsmit memorandum of 1944

9-10     Tendency to inadequately review the literature before doing research - example of backscatter research

10     Decisions, thoughts leading to 1945 proposal: "just a brainstorm"

10-11     Other examples of brainstorms

11-12     Discussion with Newburn Smith about proposal

12     Newburn Smith's handling of the proposal

12-13     Reaction of Joint Board to proposal issued as report of Wave Propagation Committee

13     Report not intended as concrete proposal

13     Involvement with rocket research - work with Cullen Moore

14     Post WWII commitment to backscatter work

14-15     Contact with Ernst Krause; Krause's knowledge of 1945 proposal

14-16     Forward scatter research

16     Contact with rocket work in the 1950s

16-17     Sweep frequency backscatter research

17-18     Competition with university researchers

18-19     Propagation research and nuclear tests

Simpson, John. Date: July 28, 1983. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 2.5 hrs.; 43 pp. Use restriction: Open.

Briefly outlines Simpson's (b. 1932) education and early career positions at Northrop (1954-5) and Beech Aircraft (1955-9), and then concentrates on his career at Ball Brothers as an instrument designer and manager of the OSO series (1959- ). In addition to discussing Simpson's work with guidance systems and the OSO series, the interview examines the organizational and administrative changes that occurred at Ball Brothers as the size of, and the competition within, the solar physics community increased. The role of NASA in this evolution of the field is also discussed. Other topics include Ball Brothers' loss of the contract for OSO-I, OSO-J and OSO-K; and Ball Brothers' record for developing accurate cost-estimates.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-2     Undergraduate work at Univ of Colorado Engineering physics major

2     Knowledge of early rocket work at university

2-10     Work at Northrop

2     Optics and detector work on Snark missile system

2-3     Snark guidance system

3     Snark pointing controls

3-4     Design and construction of photometer

4     Quality of gyroscopes

4-5     Disposal of guidance systems

5     Pointing accuracy

5-6     Contract with astronomers in celestial navigation

6     Division organization

6-7     Photometric and radar work at Flagstaff

7     Working condition and responsibilities

7-8     Teaching military personal to align guidance system

8     Photometer design

8-9     Startracker program design

9     Reasons for leaving Northrop

9-10     Experience and knowledge gained

10-11     Interest in graduate education and family educational background

11-12     Interest in astronomy

12-14     Work at Beech Aircraft

13     Cyrogenic research Working with National Bureau of Standards

14     Reasons for leaving Beech

14-43     Work at Ball Brothers (Ball Aerospace Systems Division)

15     Background of projects at Ball

16     Responsibility for converting balloon pointing controls for satellite use Responsibilities of Gablehouse, Dolder, Bartoe

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

16-17     Comparison OSO-1 pointing control with Snark controls

18     Startracker system for satellites

18-19     OSO-"zero"

19     OSO-1 and the problems of engaging in a new enterprise - determining the amount of time for a given task

20-21     Contact with PIs - working relationship in early days ascompared to present

21     John Lindsay - relationship between engineers and scientists

22-23     Operation of instruments in space - electronic problems

23     Sharing information among researchers Increase in the size of the solar physics community and the competition for instrument awards

23-24     Lawrence Hogarth - administrators with science background vs those without

24-25     Change in administrative structure in response to growth of field and presence of NASA - growth of administrative staff

25     Dependence on integrity of engineers to produce quality instruments

26-27     Responsibilities over OSO series

27     OSO series design changes

27-28     OSO-B2

28     OSO-C - launch failure

28-29     Adjustment to failures

29     Tape recorder and battery failures

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

29-30     Responsibility after OSO-3 for advanced programs

30     Advanced OSO proposal

30-32     Proposal for a low-cost Scout launch satellite - POSM

32     ATOM

32-34     Involvement in cost estimating - contract with David Clemens

34     OSOs and cost estimating formulas - cost benefits of a series of satellites

34-35     Air Force cost estimating model

35     Ball's record for building spacecraft for less than estimated cost Ball's cost record for instruments

35-36     Contact with Herb Gursky - Spartan satellite

36-38     Project manager for OSO-7 - replacing Bob Marsh

38     Problems with OSO-7

38-39     Losing contract for OSO-I, OSO-J, OSO-K to Hughes - disappointment over contract and eventual cancellation of program

39     Goddard's reaction to outcome of OSO-I, OSO-J, OSO-K

39-40     John Thole and OSO-I

40     Relation between contracts for instruments and contracts for spacecraft

40-41     Working on proposal for OSO-I

41-42     Effect of losing contract for OSO-I on work on OSO-7

42-43     ATM

Spitzer, Lyman, Jr. Date: June 17, 1982. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 4 hrs.; 78 pp. Use restriction: Open.

Reviews Spitzer's (b. June 26, 1914) career at Princeton as professor of astronomy (1947-82) and as Chairman of the Astronomy Department and Director of Princeton Observatory (1947-79). The interview first considers his awareness and interest in the use of V-2s for UV studies of the sun, then covers in detail his involvement with the OAO series and Copernicus, including a discussion of its scientific mission (UV sky survey), its design evolution, problems with funding and delays, and its post-launch use and results. The interview concludes with a detailed discussion of the evolution of the design of instrumentation on ST, of the NASA planning phases, and of efforts to gain funding support.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-14     The V-2 era

1     The ultraviolet atmospheric cutoff

1-2     First awareness of V-2s

2-3     Use of V-2s for scientific purposes; the Kuiper report

3-4     Papers for Project RAND

4     Upper Atmosphere Rocket Research Panel

5-6     Astronomical friends who used V-2s

6-7     Proposal with Goldberg, for spectroscopic rocket program

7     Opinion of Tousey's early work

7-8     Early thoughts on the general prospects for space astronomy

8-9     Astrophysical consultant group to ONR

9     Assessment of Spitzer's interest in V-2 research

10     Whitford committee and Greenstein Reports

10-11     Accepting position at Princeton; reasons

11     Princeton University Conference, February 27, 1946

11-12     Early theoretical interests in the upper atmosphere

12-13     Astronomical interest in the sun itself and as standard source

13     Funding for Stratoscope I

14     Attitude towards rocket research

14-45     Copernicus

15     Astrophysical research areas

15-16     Relation between theory and observations; Friedman and Boggess ultraviolet haloes

16-17     Initial suggestions for an orbiting telescope

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

17-18     Technical feasibility of operating a telescope in space

18-19     Nancy Roman letter on Sputnik, 1958

19-20     AFCRL and the beginning of Copernicus

20     OAO; satellites combining solar and stellar instruments

22-24     Reasons for seven year launch delay

22     Battery system

22-23     Star trackers

22-23     Arcing

23     Financial

24     OAO-B

24     OAO-C

24-26     Time spent on Copernicus

26     Design of space telescope; relation to ground-based telescopes

26-27     Role of pointing controls in design development

27-28     Copernicus relation to early OAOs especially OAO 2

28-30     Attitude towards ultraviolet sky surveys; relation to X-ray astronomy

30-31     Nature of X-ray vs. ultraviolet astronomy

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

31-32     Funding problems

32     Maintaining the research group

32-33     Princeton rocketsonde program

33-34     Speculations on nature of launch if it would have gone up in 1965

34-35     Operational life of Copernicus

35     Staff organization

35-36     Copernicus advantages

35-36     Solving problems through sophistication of equipment

36     Organizational approaches to problems

37     Results; molecular hydrogen

37-38     Guest investigator program

38     Problems after launch

39     Shifting from a development to an operational stage

39-40     Estimation of telescope operational life

40     Failure of focus drive

41-42     Organization for pre-launch checks

42     Turning equipment on after launch

42-43     Relations between X-ray and ultraviolet astronomy

43     Recruiting young scientists

43-44     Astronomical community and space research

45     Science as great discoveries

TAPE 2, SIDE 2

45-78     Space Telescope

45     OAO as a precursor to ST

46     Initial time scale for ST

46-47     Woods Hole Study Group

47-48     Conduct of meetings

48-49     Manned vs. unmanned telescope

49-50     Detector problems

49-50     SEC Vidicon

50     Photographic techniques

50-51     Woods Hole recommendations

51-52     Apollo Extension System

52     Advanced Princeton Satellite

52-53     Morale problems after failure of OAO 1 and OAO-B

54     Space Science Board report on priorities for space research 1971-1980

54-55     Relation between Space Science Board and Astronomy Missions Board

55     1.5-meter precursor telescope to ST

55-56     Military origins of ST design

56     ST design in relation to Copernicus and Stratoscope II

56     ST and NASA planning phase

57-58     Phase A; Science Steering group

58     Constitution of NASA committees; Nancy Roman and Bob O'Dell

58     VLA

58-59     Phase A; contact with contractors

59-60     Phase B; scientific definition

60     Phase B and the NASA budget

TAPE 3, SIDE 1

60-70     Three campaigns to obtain budget support

62-63     Congressional reactions

63-64     Choosing people to lobby

64-65     John Bahcall's role

65-66     Meeting with Jim Fletcher

66-67     Effect of campaign

67-68     Meeting with Jim Fletcher

67-68     Support from the Shuttle

70-71     Downsizing ST from 3 to 2.4 meters

71     ESA

71     Announcement of Opportunity

71-72     SWG and instrument design

72     Spitzer and the wide field camera

72-74     SEC Vidicon and CCDs

75     Proposal to drop spectroscopic experiments

75-76     Planetary experiments vs stellar experiments on ST

76-77     Goals for wide field camera

77-78     Post-launch operation of LST

Strand, Kaj Aage. Dates: December 8, 1983; January 3, 1984. Interviewers: David H. DeVorkin, Steven Dick. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 7.5 hrs.; 126 pp. Use restriction: Permission required to quote, cite or reproduce.

Recounts Strand's (b. February 27, 1907) career in astronomy which began with graduate work at the University of Copenhagen (PhD, 1938, astronomy) and included positions at the Geodetic Institute in Copenhagen (1931-3); at the University of Leiden (1933-8); at Swarthmore College (1938-46); at the University of Chicago (1946-67); at Northwestern as Director of the Dearborn Observatory (1947-58); and at the US Naval Observatory as Director of Astrometry and Astrophysics (1958-63) and as Science Director (1963-77). The interview concentrates on Strand's astronomical research at the Naval Observatory on photographic observation of double stars, stellar parallaxes, and orbital motions in double and multiple systems, as well as his administrative activities there. He also recounts his early family life and education in Denmark, and his experiences in the American Army in WWII.

    December 8, 1983

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-5     Early Life

1-2     Family background

2-3     Early reading interests

3     School textbooks - exposure to science

4     Influential teachers at the Gymnasium

4-5     Awareness of modern astronomy

5-14     University of Copenhagen

5     Science program

6     Final examination

6-7     Ellis Stonòmgren

7     Decision to study astronomy

8     Astronomy course work; study under Stròmgren

9     Candidate Magister and Master's degrees

9-10     Graduating lecture on Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram; offer to work at Geodetic Institute

11-12     Feelings toward celestial mechanics

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

12-13     Bregt Stròmgren

13     Attitude toward modern astrophysics

14     Hertzsprung and Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram

14-18     Geodetic Institute, Copenhagen

15-16     Astronomical observing for triangulation measurements

16     Organization of the Geodetic Institute

17     Reduction of observations

18     Contact with Hertzsprung

19-37     Leiden Observatory

19     Offer from Hertzsprung to work at Leiden; Hertzsprung's research style

20     Observation of binary stars

20-21     Living accommodations in Leiden; Horst Weber

21-23     Russell and Hertzsprung and the 'diagram'

23     Research atmosphere; students

24-25     Oort and de Sitter

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

25-26     Hertzsprung's teaching style

26-27     Hertzsprung's and his assistants

27     Organizational structure of the observatory

28     Staying on at Leiden

28-29     Thesis work - photographic double star work

29-30     Attending 1935 IAU meeting; contact with van de Kamp

30     Hertzsprung publication on photographic measurements of double stars

31     Attending 1935 IAU meeting, contact with van de Kamp, Russell

31-32     Method of dependencies

33-34     Defense of thesis - Stròmgren and Hertzsprung

35     Interest in coming to US

34-35     Elis and Bengt Stròmgren and the awarding of astronomy degrees

35-36     Shapley

36     Russell and his contribution to double star astronomy; Russell and Kopal

37     Sproul Observatory

37-38     Offer from van de Kamp to work at Sproul

38     Possibility of working at Lick Observatory; choosing Sproul

39     Adaptation to life in the US; travel to meetings

TAPE 2, SIDE 2

39-45     Social conditions in Europe

40     Work conditions at Sproul for double star photographic work

41     Contact with R.S. Dugan

41     Staff at Sproul

41     Living arrangements; the Swarthmore community

42     Vyssotsky

42-43     Van de Kamp and binary star research

43     Work with van de Kamp

44     Barnard's star controversy

44-45     Space Telescope

45     Assistants

45     Summary of Sproul experience

45-69     US Army

46     Desire to flight Hitler

46-47     Various duties

48     Contact with Edwin Hubble and ballistic cameras

48-49     Design of ballistic cameras

49     Promotion to head of department of navigation; astronomers at Aberdeen

49-50     Mann machines

50     Success of ballistic camera projects

51     Testing captured V-1s

TAPE 3, SIDE 1

51-52     Mann machines

52     Becoming a rated navigator

53     Navigation techniques

54     Air almanac and Wallace Eckert

54-55     Contact with Eckert; survival navigation

56     Suitability tests of B-29s

56-57     Work with special air crews; the atomic bomb crew and Colonel Tibbet

58-59     Value of military experience; continued interest in the military

59-60     Publications during war years - reaction to papers on unseen planetary systems

60     Evidence for unseen planetary systems

61     Theories of origin of the solar system

61a     Observation and theory; Hertzsprung's view and its influence on Strand

61a-62     Hertzsprung on "giants" and "dwarfs"

62-63     Hertzsprung on astronomy education; publication of his earlier papers

63     Anton Pannekoek

63-64     Popular publication

64     Consideration of career after the war; difficulty of communicating with colleagues and family

TAPE 3, SIDE 2

65     Return to Sproul

66-67     Guggenheim fellowship - travel to Europe to visit astronomers

67     Kuiper and ALSOS

69-75     Yerkes Observatory

68-69     Offer as associate professor; opportunities of position

69-70     Staff and students

70-71     Funding

72     Research atmosphere; staff communication

72-73     Knowledge of V-2 research

73     Staff communication

73-74     Split work schedule between Yerkes and Northwestern University

73-74     Funding from Research Corporation

74-75     Grote Keber and radio astronomy

75-87     Northwestern University

75     Decision to go to Northwestern

76     Staff

76-77     18 1/2-inch telescope; Philip Fox

77-78     Relationship between Yerkes and Northwestern

79-80     Astrometry conference, 1953

80     State of astrometry

    January 3, 1984

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

80-81     Evanston Conference on Astrometry

81-82     Deficiencies in astrometric research

82     Establishing a computer center

83-84     Astrometric reflector; van Maanen

85     Design of astrometric reflector

85-86     University response to building astrometric reflector

86     Effect of Sputnik

87     Offer of position at Naval Observatory

87     Summary of tenure at Northwestern

88-126     Naval Observatory, 1958

88     IAU meeting, Moscow, 1958 - effect of Sputnik; proposal ofastrometric reflector

89     State of astronomy in USSR

89     Comparison of Naval Observatory (NO) with Yerkes and Northwestern

89-90     Organization of NO

90-91     Funding of NO

91-92     The 61-inch telescope - gaining support

93-94     Congressional support of 61-inch - influence of Sputnik

94-95     Funding the 61-inch and the Sugar Grove Project

95-100     Construction of the 61-inch

95-96     Contract with Corning for the mirror

96-97     Figuring the mirror - Davidson and Hendrix

97     Contract to build the dome

98     Measuring machine (SAMM) - improvements over other machines; role of operator

100     61-inch

101     Parallax program

101-102     7-inch transit circle program

102-103     Upgrading observatory facilities and telescopes

103-104     Photoelectric scanner for circle reading

104-105     Programs in the Time Service Division - atomic clocks

105     Time synchronization service

106     Programs of the Nautical Almanac Office

107-108     Programs of Astrometry and Astrophysics - double star work

109     Staff research and mission of observatory

109     Solar work

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

110     Justification of programs to Navy

110-111     Role as scientific director and supervisor of the divisions

111-112     Roles of scientific director and superintendent of the Observatory

112-113     Clemence as scientific director

114     23-inch Princeton refractor

115     Attempts to relocate or diminish the Observatory

116     Formation of a union at the Observatory

116-117     Consolidation of the transit circle divisions

117     Funding cutbacks and Vietnam War

118     Celestial coordinate system

119     Starscan

119-120     Miscellaneous programs and events at Observatory

120-121     Interest in extra-solar planetary detection

121     Attitude toward search for extra-terrestrial life

122     Copernicus symposium

122-123     Role of Observatory in relation to other American observatories and international observatories

123-124     Shifts in funding structure

124     Why the Naval Observatory is not a Naval Laboratory

125     Involvement in space program; comparison to NRL's involvement

125-126     Concluding remarks

Strong, John. Date: April 20, 1984. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 4.5 hrs.; 66 pp. Use restriction: Public.

After reviewing his upbringing and undergraduate and post-graduate education, Strong (b. January 15, 1905) describes his work on the aluminizing process and other projects as a National Research Fellow and then Astrophysics Fellow at CALTECH and his relations there with George Hale, John Anderson, Milton Humason, and others. Strong next discusses his efforts at Harvard during the War on infrared detection, obtaining a professorship at Johns Hopkins after the war and continuing his research in the infrared area for the Office of Naval Research, role in the creation of the Laboratory of Astrophysics and Physical Meteorology, and assuming its directorship. He then reviews his efforts in balloon astronomy and other areas of study, relations with the Space Science Board, and opinions on the evolution of space exploration.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-7     Background and Education

1     Mother and Father

2     Schooling; University of Kansas

3     Interest in chemistry

4     Summer at Bell Labs; summer at GE

5     University of Michigan; Michigan summer schools: Ehrenfest, Dieke

6     Interests in radio

7     Doctor's thesis: growing crystals

8-25     NRC Fellowship at CALTECH (among other things)

9     The silvering process: evaporating silver, in vacuum

10     Perfecting the aluminizing process

11     Millikan's cosmic ray work; Victor Neher

12     The 200-inch telescope project; contact with Humason Hubble

13     Designing a vacuum chamber for 100-inch telescope; aluminizing the 100-inch mirror(1934)

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

14     Contact with Petit and Nicholson

15     Russell Porter; The 100-to-1-Shot Club

16     Porter's design style; small site testing telescopes

17     John Anderson, Strong's boss at CALTECH

18-19     Anderson's responsibilities, character and background

20     Interest in determining the height of the ozone layer

20-21     Keniche Watanabe at CALTECH

21     Making a platinum filter for Baade

22     Getting Watanabe as a post doc at John Hopkins

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

23     Don Hendrix; Babcock and ruling gratings

24     Anderson's attitude toward research; Paul Merrill

25     Working in San Marino with Hale

26-28     Assistant Professor at CALTECH

26-27     Writing Procedures in Experimental Physics; Mas Mason

28     The 200-inch telescope: designing an optical slit

29-32     War work at Harvard

29     Atmospheric transmission effects

30     Demonstrating Strong's passive infrared range finder for ships at sea

31-32     Nickel bolometer detectors

32-66     Professorship at Johns Hopkins University

33     Contact with Pfund and R.W. Wood

34     Work at Hopkins: vacuum tube, ruling engines and gratings

TAPE 2, SIDE 2

35     Rowland gratings

36-37     Making gratings for Tousey

37     Herb Friedman's electron microscope pictures of Tousey's gratings

38     Contact with the APL group; Martin Summerfield's PhD in jet propulsion

39     Teaching responsibilities at Johns Hopkins; Strong's interest in laboratory spectroscopy

40-41     Atmospheric transmission with William Sinton (student)

41     Contact with Kuiper

42     Differences between the science being done at university labs and institutions like NRL

42     Charlie Lauritsen and ONR

43     Experimentation with Air Force B-29s

44     Study of the solar spectrum with the U-2

44-45     Paper by Tait Elder and John Strong "The Infrared Transmission of Atmospheric Windows"

TAPE 3, SIDE 1

45     Funding research in the early 1950's

46-47     Origin of the Lab for Astrophysics at John Hopkins

48     Director of the Laboratory of Astrophysics and Physical Metrology (LAPM)

49     Origin of interest in balloon astronomy

49     Navy manned balloon project; Malcolm Ross, Shirleigh Silverman

50     Decision to do infrared planetary work

50     Design of the instruments used in gondola

51     Positive evidence of water vapor on Venus

52     Manned versus unmanned flights

52-53     Morris Birnbaum and Librascope

53     Funding switch from ONR to Air Force in 1961

54     Early balloon work

55     Disasters with balloons; contact with A. Dollfus and Schwarzschild

56     Frank Low detectors

57     Interest in planetary infra-red

TAPE 3, SIDE 2

57     Involvement in conferences held by the Space Science board

58     DIRBE project

59     Reflecting on Strong's role in setting scientific policy

60     Strong's priorities when building manned and unmanned observatories

61     Involvement in interferometric spectroscopy

62-63     Recollections of R.W. Wood

64     The most satisfying work in hindsight

65     Writing Concepts of Classical Optics

66     Significant changes in grating art in Strong's career

Rev. 10/15/95