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Memorial Tributes Volume 16 (2012) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

CLARENCE A. SYVERTSON
Pages 314-319

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Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 315...
... The University of Minnesota awarded him an Outstanding Achievement Medal in 1982 and an honorary doctorate in 2004. Syvertson arrived at the Ames Aeronautical Laboratory of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA)
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From page 316...
... His early research on asymmetric nozzle contours of variable Mach number proved critical to the design of new hypersonic wind tunnels for NACA. He developed a new aerodynamic theory of second-order shock expansion that was used to predict the stability of slender vehicles flying at hypersonic speeds, including missiles and rockets like the Polaris and Aerobee.
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From page 317...
... His purview included development of spacecraft, hypersonic aircraft, and thermal protection systems for reentry vehicles, as well as sophisticated facilities in which to test them. He also had managerial responsibility for basic research into spacecraft structures, thermal and gas dynamics, space science, and planetary atmospheres, including the success of the Apollo Lunar Surface Magnetometer and other spaceborne instruments.
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From page 318...
... In the space sciences, Ames prepared the Galileo probe for its journey to Jupiter, flew the Kuiper Airborne Observatory, and developed the telescope for the infrared astronomical satellite, a joint project of the Netherlands, Great Britain, and the United States. In 1981, NASA Headquarters consolidated the Dryden Flight Research Center into Ames, to help it operate more efficiently, and Syvertson managed both laboratories.
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From page 319...
... He served as consulting professor at Stanford University and served on the boards of the National Space Club, the West Valley–Mission Colleges District, the California History Center at De Anza College, and United Way of Santa Clara County. Sy earned many awards for his service to NASA and to space exploration.
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Key Terms

  • space shuttle
  • aviation research
  • hypersonic wind
  • thermal protection
  • civil aviation

  • reentry vehicles
  • nasa headquarters
  • traffic control
  • nasa ames
  • air traffic

  • research precursors
  • hypersonic airflow
  • lifting bodies
  • syvertson arrived
  • shuttle design

  • tunnel testing
  • senior leadership
  • proved critical
  • theoretical insights
  • managerial responsibility

  • national space
  • aerothermodynamics database
  • railroad running
  • distinguished service
  • standing ovation

  • hypersonic flows
  • spacecraft structures
  • tank located
  • kuiper airborne
  • policy study


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