Roger Launius
Roger Launius
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Full Name: Roger D. Launius
Common Aliases: None noted
Birth and Death Dates
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Roger D. Launius was born on November 31, 1949.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Nationality: American
Profession(s): Historian, Author, Former Director of the NASA History Office
Early Life and Background
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Roger Launius grew up with a fascination for history, particularly in the fields of space exploration and aviation. His early interests laid the foundation for his future career as an historian. Launius received his Bachelor's degree from Kansas State University in 1972. He then went on to earn his Master's degree in Aerospace History from George Washington University in 1975.
Major Accomplishments
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Roger Launius has had a distinguished career, marked by several notable accomplishments:
Director of the NASA History Office: From 1990 to 2007, Launius led the team responsible for collecting and preserving historical records related to the US space program. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in shaping the narrative around America's space exploration history.
Author and Historian: Launius has written extensively on topics such as the early years of NASA, the Apollo program, and the development of commercial spaceflight.
Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Roger Launius' notable works include:
"Space Technology and Planetary Exploration: The History of an Era": This book offers a comprehensive overview of the technological advancements that have made space exploration possible.
"Exploring the Cosmos: The Enchanted Voyager": Co-authored with former NASA Administrator, Thomas P. Stafford, this book provides insights into the Apollo program and its significance in American history.
Impact and Legacy
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Roger Launius has left an indelible mark on the field of aerospace history:
Preservation of Historical Records: Under his leadership, the NASA History Office collected and preserved a vast array of historical documents, photographs, and artifacts.
Shaping the Narrative around Space Exploration: Launius' work as historian and author has contributed to our understanding of America's space program and its significance in shaping global history.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Roger Launius is widely quoted and remembered for his:
Expertise on Aerospace History: As a leading figure in the field, his insights into the development of the US space program are highly regarded.
Authoritative Voice: Through his writing and public speaking engagements, Launius has shared his knowledge with a broad audience, inspiring new generations of historians and enthusiasts.
Quotes by Roger Launius
Challenger showed how sophisticated this technology was and how fragile it was, and our dreams were tied to it.
If science is the driver, what scientific activities are going to dominate? Decisions on this will affect the structure of the science effort as a whole, the landing site selection, the nature of robotic predecessors, the types of experiments developed, and a host of other issues that require sustained thought and planning.
At a fundamental level, political will is the most critical challenge facing those who wish to venture into space in this century. It is even more significant than the technological issues that also present serious challenges to returning to the Moon,
Amanda Meyer is a nice young lady, and as well meaning as she is, she's a third party in this.
This architecture for reaching the Moon is certainly one that makes possible a return, but it is also one among several approaches that could have been successful,
As a person excited by the prospect of returning to the Moon, I am thrilled that the United States is finally intent on moving beyond Earth orbit, ... Like everyone, I am curious to see how this plays out over the next few months as project definition becomes more solid. The devil will be in the details.
I wish them well. I hope it opens up this capability to the public. I wish it were more revolutionary.
Now we're starting to enter into a new phase, which may be characterized as private-sector or space tourism.
She was only going to fly once in her life. The thing that NASA learned most fundamentally from that is we really need to have individuals on board who have accepted the risk associated with space fright and are willing to make that a career.