Flight and Space. Barron Hilton Flight and Space Exploration Archives
Collecting Area
Identifier: Flight and Space
Purdue Archives and Special Collections' collection of primary source materials on the history and development of powered flight began in 1940 with the gift of aviator Amelia Earhart's papers by her husband, George Palmer Putnam. Since that initial donation, the number of flight-related archival collections has increased to reflect the steady growth of faculty and alumni contributions to the development of flight and later, space exploration. The Barron Hilton Flight and Space Exploration Archives was established in 2011 with generous support provided by Barron Hilton and the Conrad Hilton Foundation and now includes the papers of engineers, aviation professionals, scholars, and astronauts including Purdue distinguished alumni such as Neil A. Armstrong and Eugene Cernan.
Found in 248 Collections and/or Records:
Ernest S. Stoops papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSA 295
Abstract
Collection contains photographs, personal papers, and technical papers documenting the academic and professional career of Ernest S. Stoops, Purdue Class of 1949.
Dates:
1947 - 2008; Majority of material found within 1947 - 1988; Other: Date acquired: 01/03/2016
Audrey Powers papers
Collection — Box 1
Identifier: MSA 408
Scope and Contents
This collection includes materials related to Audrey Powers's flight on Blue Origin's New Shepard launch vehicle, flight NS18 on October 13, 2021. Includes items Powers took on flight NS18 including a Purdue University pennant and two Blue Origin flight tags sent to Purdue School of Aeronautics and Astronautics inscribed and signed with "Thank you -Audrey." Also includes a handwritten, custom greeting card from Powers to Dr. William Crossley, Head of Purdue University School of Aeronautics...
Dates:
2021 - 2021
Lloyd E. Keck scrapbook
Collection — Box 1: Series MSA 303, Series 1; Series MSA 303, Series 2; Series MSA 303, Series 3; Series MSA 303, Series 4; Series MSA 303, Series 5; Series MSA 303, Series 6; Series MSA 303, Series 7; Series MSA 303, Series 8; Series MSA 303, Series 9; Series MSA 303, Series 10; Series MSA 303, Series 11; Series MSA 303, Series 12
Identifier: MSA 303
Scope and Contents
The Lloyd E. Keck scrapbook documents the academic, military, personal and social activities of an Engineering student while on Purdue University's campus from 1936-1939, as well as various aspects of his life prior to college from 1917-1936. Keck titled the scrapbook, "Scraps and Snaps, May 27, 1917 - August 1, 1939," but most of the content is from his time at Purdue, 1936-1939.The scrapbook contains many unique photographs of campus and events from the 1930s. Some of the...
Dates:
1917 - 1939; Majority of material found within 1937 - 1939
Eugene A. Cernan papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSA 288
Scope and Contents
The Eugene A. Cernan papers document the military, aeronautics, and astronautics career of Eugene A. Cernan, as well as his subsequent professional and public activities. The papers also feature records pertaining to Cernan's youth, family, and education. The collection includes but is not limited to artifacts, audiovisual recordings, awards, books, certificates, coins, correspondence, documents, mission patches, newspaper clippings, photographs, plaques, publications, scrapbooks, speeches,...
Dates:
1934 - 2016; Majority of material found within 1956 - 2012
Purdue Space Day student organization records
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 190
Content Description
Includes Flight Space Day booklets (1996-2012), 3.5" floppy discs, individual photographs of participating astronauts, thank you letters, and news clippings.
Dates:
1996 - 2023
Richard C. Roberts papers on Saturn V Component Testing
Collection — Box 1
Identifier: MSA 299
Scope and Contents
The Richard C. Roberts papers on Saturn V Component Testing document Roberts' work on the Saturn V vehicle. The collection includes two test reports on components of the Saturn V vehicle. The reports were written by Richard C. Roberts, while he worked for the Brown Engineering Company at the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. In an e-mail to the Archives' staff, Richard Roberts noted, "Flex Hose Cycle Test was a qualification test for 6" and 8" diameter flexible...
Dates:
1957 - 1981
Mary L. Cleave papers
Collection — Box 1
Identifier: MSP 176
Scope and Contents
The Mary L. Cleave papers (1981-1986; .5 cubic feet) documents the activities of the crews on 18 different Space Shuttle missions. These binders contain detailed crew reports from the shuttle missions during this time period. The reports are of STS-1,3,4,5,6,7,9,8,41-B,41-C,41-D,41-G,51-A,51-C,61-A,51-F,51-D,51-J (Note that these shuttle missions are listed chronologically). Materials in the series are arranged chronologically. The documentation covers lift off to landing. Types of...
Dates:
1981-1986; Other: Date acquired: 09/18/2013
Donald E. Williams papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSA 12
Scope and Contents
The Donald E. Williams papers document Williams' two shuttle missions; STS-51-D and STS-34, along with memorabilia from STS-1, the first mission. Also included are various mission patches and decals. The artifacts include his flight helmet, and items used in space; gloves, knife, fork, teaspoon, and can opener.
Types of materials include: artifacts, checklists (mission), clippings, decals, memorabilia, NASA press kit, papers, mission patches, and photographs.
Dates:
1978 - 1991; Majority of material found within 1985 - 1989
James R. Hansen papers on Neil Armstrong
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSP 183
Scope and Contents
The James R. Hansen Papers on Neil Armstrong comprise the materials used to write First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong, the only official biography of Armstrong. A Professor of History at Auburn University, James Hansen was authorized by Armstrong to write the biography in 2002. Between 2002 and 2004, Hansen compiled the materials presented here in preparation for the book's publication. Interviews conducted with Armstrong's primary professional and...
Dates:
1955-2011; Other: Majority of material found in 2002-2005; Other: Date acquired: 09/12/2011
Mark N. Brown papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSA 302
Scope and Contents
The Mark N. Brown papers include papers and memorabilia of retired astronaut and Purdue Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering alumnus, Mark N. Brown. Included are Brown's textbooks from his studies at Purdue, Air Force ROTC certificate, Apollo program photographs that were pinned to Brown's Purdue dorm room wall while he was a student in the early 1970s, a Purdue paper airplane contest trophy, along with other Purdue memorabilia. The collection also includes NASA...
Dates:
1963 - 1991
Clifford Blake Powers papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSP 80
Scope and Contents
The Clifford Blake Powers papers primarily document Powers' career with Essex Corporation and CST, Incorporated, in association with NASA. The papers also include various NASA-related publications, promotional material and memorabilia collected by Powers.
The papers contain a varied assortment of artifacts, papers and publications related to Powers' employment at Essex Corporation, where he was the project manager (publications) for the First United States Microgravity Laboratory mission...
Dates:
1962 - 2003; Other: Majority of material found within 1990 - 2002
Dianna Thompson Collection of Apollo 11 Moon Landing news clippings
Collection — Box 1
Identifier: MSP 201
Scope and Contents
The Dianna Thompson Collection of Apollo 11 Moon Landing news clippings documents the Apollo 11 moon landing and events leading up to and shortly afterwards. There are also articles about Janet Shearon Armstrong. Most of the articles are from Kansas City newspapers. Also included are a few editorial cartoons.
Dates:
Other: 1969
William R. Pogue papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSP 208
Scope and Contents
The William R. Pogue papers document aspects of William (Bill) R. Pogue's career as an astronaut. The papers include Pogue's autobiography, a DVD by Pogue; "We're go for launch to zero-g: a DVD video all about: living in space." The DVD features astronauts from 1961 to 1994, as they live, work, and cope in the zero gravity of space flight.Also included is a copy of a signed letter from Albert Einstein to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in regards to research on the atomic bomb....
Dates:
1939 - 2011; Other: Majority of material found within 1963 - 1994
Paul Roscoe collection of astronaut photographs
Collection — Box Box 1
Identifier: MSP 106
Scope and Contents
The Paul Roscoe collection of astronaut photographs (circa 1960s; 0.2 cubic feet) documents members of the NASA astronaut corps, NASA administration, and the Saturn missile. It includes both headshots and group photographs of various NASA personnel from the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs. The headshots are solely of astronauts, some in their spacesuits. One notable photograph shows the Saturn missile, which was used during the Apollo missions to the moon, sitting at the launch pad. ...
Dates:
circa 1960s; Other: Date acquired: 01/02/2013
Chesterfield H. Janes papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSA 301
Scope and Contents
The Chesterfield H. Janes papers document the life of Janes as a Purdue student and as an IBM employee. Included within this collection are items from Janes stay in the X-Hall (presently called Meredith Hall), some memorabilia of the NASA astronauts, a collection of space related stamps and first day covers, and photographs of the Apollo-Saturn 202 (AS-202) launch. Strengths in this collection are the X-Hall ephemeral materials. Included are receipts from the housing contract...
Dates:
1953 - 2012; Other: Majority of material found within 1953 - 1975
David C. Leestma papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSP 193
Scope and Contents
The David C. Leestma papers document his personal experience as an astronaut during the early years of the Space Shuttle program and as a NASA manager and director. Included are papers related to the three missions for which he served as a mission specialist; STS-41-G, STS-28, and STS-45. Leestma later served as manager and director at the Johnson Space Center's Astronaut Office, Flight Crew Operations Directorate, Advanced Planning Office and for initiatives such as the Space...
Dates:
1969 - 2015; Majority of material found within 1982 - 1998
Mark K. Craig papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSA 81
Scope and Contents
The Mark K. Craig papers document Purdue alumnus (BSAE 1971) Mark Craig's almost fifty year career in space exploration. Craig contributed to the Apollo, Apollo-Soyuz, Space Shuttle, Space Station, Mars Rover Sample Return, and Lunar-Mars Exploration programs in positions progressing from co-op intern to NASA Assistant Administrator. The papers also reflect Craig’s work on space policy and NASA strategic planning. The collection notably includes materials related to the...
Dates:
1917 - 2016; Majority of material found within 1980 - 2000
Larry Gee papers and space memorabilia
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSA 276
Scope and Contents
The Larry Gee papers and space memorabilia document Larry Gee's 22 year career as an engineer in the aerospace industry. Memorabilia and artifacts include commemorative space flight flags, Space Shuttle Mission patches, commemorative pins, Apollo 11 anniversary memorabilia, Columbia commemorative coin, DVDs, astronaut space shuttle crew photographs, data sheets, awards, certificates, newsletters and various documents from Gee's work with Space Shuttle main engines, Atlas engines, Delta...
Dates:
1962 - 2015; Majority of material found within 1988 - 2005
Jerry L. Ross papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSA 283
Scope and Contents
The Jerry L. Ross papers document Ross' student life at Purdue, his test flight engineer work, and NASA career as an engineer and astronaut. The collection includes Purdue coursework and memorabilia; papers from Ross' work at Edwards Air Force Base, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, and Test Pilot School; NASA Space Shuttle training, mission documents and mission related scrapbooks, memorabilia, and flight crew films and interviews, along with documents and maps from Ross' work on Space...
Dates:
1940 - 2013; Majority of material found within 1970 - 2000
Mark S. Geyer papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSA 272
Scope and Contents
The Mark S. Geyer papers document Geyer's time as Manager, Russian Elements Team for the International Space Station. The material provides a glimpse into the technical interface with the Russian Space Agency and its contractors to integrate Russian elements and systems into the International Space Station. The papers include a rich assortment of development schedules. Types of material include: correspondence, minutes, reports and schedules. Some of the materials are photocopies...
Dates:
1994 - 2002; Other: Majority of material found within 1997 - 1998
Mark Brown United States Space Shuttle Patches collection
Collection — Box 1
Identifier: MSA 274
Scope and Contents
The Mark Brown United States Space Shuttle Patches collection consists of two Space Shuttle patches with certificates of authenticity, signed by Purdue alum and Mission Specialist, Colonel Mark N. Brown. The patches include: Thirtieth Flight of the Space Shuttle (STS-28), Columbia, August 8 - 13, 1989 and Forty-third Flight of the Space Shuttle (STS-48), Discovery, September 12 - 18, 1991. Also included is a copy of a letter from the donor, Curtis Haley to Ms. Flanary.
Dates:
1989 - 2009
Space Exploration News collection
Collection — Box 1
Identifier: MSP 128
Scope and Contents
The Space Exploration News Collection features front page news stories relating to the Apollo 11 moon landing, John Glenn's history making orbit around the Earth on Friendship 7, the ending of the Space Shuttle Program and other monumental moments in the history of space exploration.
The original periodicals will be retained for historical value and use in displays and exhibits. The collection consists of three newspapers and one magazine.
Dates:
1962 - 2011; Other: Majority of material found within 1962 - 1969
Paul J. Weitz papers
Collection — Box [restricted] 1
Identifier: MSP 172
Scope and Contents
The Paul J. Weitz papers document the time Weitz spent as an United States astronaut and as Deputy Director of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The papers contains eleven notebooks that were used by Weitz to record day-to-day meeting notes and tasks. The first entry is April of 1976 and the last entry is January of 1994. The notebooks contain information about The Challenger accident and Weitz's response to the incident from the day it happened and document what the administration...
Dates:
1976 - 1994
Charles F. Bolden Jr. lecture
Collection — Box Communal Collections 62, Placement: 10
Identifier: MSP 177
Scope and Contents
The Charles F. Bolden, Jr. lecture (2010, 0.1 cubic feet) documents a lecture given by Charles F. Bolden, then 12th admnistrator of NASA. The lecture was given as part of the William E. Boeing Distinguished Lecture series on September 7, 2010 in Fowler Hall and was open to the general public. The collection contains one DVD.
Dates:
2010; Other: Date acquired: 04/09/2012
NASA record albums
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSP 303
Scope and Contents
Includes two record albums (LP, 33 1/3 rpm). They are as follows: NASA Radio Presentation: The Space Story; four weekly programs - 4 minutes, 30 seconds each, and NASA Radio Presentation: NASA Audio News Features #32: Statements by Viking Scientists.
Dates:
1976