NASA Mourns Loss of Kennedy Test Director Norm Carlson

NASA ^ | Mar 2, 2015 | Bob Granath

[Ray76]

Norman "Norm" Carlson, a former chief NASA test director for space shuttle launches at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida died March 1, 2015. He was 81. A resident of Titusville, Florida, Carlson's career with NASA spanned 35 years.

“Norm Carlson was a NASA test director for the first space shuttle flight and many that followed," said Kennedy Director, Bob Cabana. "He became the chief test director and was the consummate professional, working tirelessly to ensure the success of the missions and the safety of all of the astronauts."

Following service in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956, he earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Oklahoma State University in 1960.

That same year he began working for NASA at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and helped develop the Saturn launch vehicles that sent Apollo astronauts to the moon. His involvement with development and test of the Saturn rockets brought him to Kennedy in July 1964, and for the next twelve years he served as a launch vehicle test conductor in the Apollo program.

[flaglady47]

A man who was more than worth his salt. RIP.

[21twelve]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5vPrrnb6tw

Countdown, by RUSH

With some great video of the people and machines. RIP as these pioneers reach their final destination.

“This magic day when super-science
mingles with the stuff of dreams.”

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.