Ken Young is a long time NAL member and a storyteller par excellence. Today he'll share some of his experiences related to STS-1, including the untold stories!!
Ken enjoyed an impressive 49-year career – first as an aerospace engineer for 25 years at the NASA Johnson Space Center, followed by an additional 24 years as an independent space systems consultant/senior manager for several NASA/DoD contractors. He finally retired in 2011.
Ken's professional career began in June 1962 in the Rendezvous Analysis Branch of the Mission Analysis Division which was formed from the original Space Task Group at NASA in Langley, Virginia. He was one of six engineers assigned to develop the entirely new space disciplines of rendezvous and orbital mechanics. During his time at NASA, he applied these disciplines to the rendezvous and orbital trajectory analyses, computer software tool development and mission designs required for Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Apollo-Soyuz, Space Shuttle, and Space Station mission concepts, plans, and flight operations support.
His expertise in the new disciplines of rendezvous and orbital mechanics led to some highly successful “firsts”: the world’s first space rendezvous on Gemini 6A/7 in Dec. 1965 and the first moon landing on Apollo-11 in July 1969. As the US trajectory leader for the joint flight (ASTP) with the Soviet Union in July 1975, which contributed to détente between the two countries, and future international collaboration in space.
Ken received his B.S. degree in aerospace engineering from The University of Texas at Austin. He also completed the Management Development Program for NASA at the University of Houston-Clear Lake in 1975. During his career, he received numerous awards and recognition – although as we will hear today, some of that recognition could not be made publicly.
BEFORE: LUNCH -- Join other retirees for lunch every First Thursday at 12:00 noon, at Luby's -- 20001 Gulf Freeway in Webster
AFTER: KOTM -- Following the First Thursday program, head over to the KOTM (Keg of the Month - actually, Keg of the Quarter)!! Join former colleagues for a cold beverage, and more stories. KOTM will be held at 4 pm in the Bluebonnet Pavilion.
