Dr. Robert R. Gilruth

	DR. ROBERT R. GILRUTH Aerospace Scientist and Engineer
	Born Nashwauk, Minnesota, October 8, 1913. He developed strong interest in aeronautics at an early age mostly due to Lindbergh's historic flight. He was awarded an MS in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Minnesota prior to entering an engineering position with National Advisory Committee (NACA), Langley Field, Virginia. He progressed from the field of stability, control and handling qualities of airplanes, to organizing a research group at Wallops Island, Virginia for transonic and supersonic flights of rocket-powered models and tests of hypersonic aerodynamics, high temperature structures and dynamic loads. As the space age began and NASA was created he was responsible for putting man in orbit around earth. Subsequent to successful Project Mercury, he was selected to organize and direct the Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston, Texas where he was responsible for design and development of spacecraft, selection and training of flight crews, and planning and control of missions which ultimately put man on the moon through Gemini and Apollo projects. His leadership and technical expertise were directly attributable to all the steps for the successful manned lunar landings.
	Elected to the International Aerospace Hall of Fame 1992