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 174 Collections and/or Records:
Pierre Thuot papers, addition 04
Unprocessed — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 2023-119
Dates:
1990 - 1994
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. The...
Dates:
1939 - 2011; Other: Majority of material found within 1963 - 1994
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
Doris Hurt Powers papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSA 2
Scope and Contents
The Doris Hurt Powers papers (1942 – 2008; 2 cubic feet) documents the student, aviation, and business activities of Doris Hurt Powers. Powers’ experience as a woman breaking into the male-dominated fields of engineering and aeronautics is well documented through autobiographical speeches and her memoir Nothing but Blue Skies. One strength of the collection are the speeches delivered by Powers that address the particular challenges and opportunities encountered...
Dates:
1945-2011; Other: Date acquired: 03/04/2009
Rose Bowl ticket envelope signed by Purdue astronauts
Collection — Box Communal Collections 73, Placement: 1
Identifier: MSP 249
Scope and Contents
One Rose Bowl ticket envelope, signed by Purdue astronauts Neil Armstrong, Eugene Cernan, Roger Chaffee, and Gus Grissom in 1967. Signatures were collected by Dean O. D. Roberts and his wife.
Dates:
1967
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
Purdue Space Day student organization records
Unprocessed — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 20130128
Dates:
1996 - 2012
Purdue University Boeing Wind Tunnel scrapbook and School of Aeronautics and Astronautics photographs
Unprocessed — Box 1
Identifier: 2024-051
Dates:
1949 - 1991
Purdue University College of Engineering School of Mechanical Engineering records, addition 01
Unprocessed — Box 1
Identifier: 20130529
Dates:
1946
Purdue University School of Aeronautics and Astronautics brochure
Collection — Box 1
Identifier: UA 46
Abstract
The Purdue University School of Aeronautics brochure includes photographs of the Purdue Airport and laboratories, along with an Aeronautical Engineering curriculum outline and description and an Air Transportation curriculum outline and description.
Dates:
circa 1950s; Other: Date acquired: 11/09/2012
Purdue University Space Management and Academic Scheduling Department records
Unprocessed — Box 1
Identifier: 20130301.2
Dates:
1955 - 1996
George Palmer Putnam collection of Amelia Earhart papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSP 9
Scope and Contents
The George Palmer Putnam collection of Amelia Earhart papers (1785-1948; 31.1 cubic feet) documents the personal life, aviation career, and business activities of pilot Amelia Earhart. Types of materials include: advertisements, articles, artifacts, awards, blueprints, books, certificates, charts, commemorative coins, contracts, correspondence, data sheets, diagrams, ephemera, flight logs, licenses, maps, newspaper clippings, notebooks, notes, permits, photographs, poetry, postage stamps,...
Dates:
1785-1948; Other: Majority of material found within 1928-1937
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
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 Shuttle...
Dates:
1940 - 2013; Majority of material found within 1970 - 2000
Ruth Senderrek Mecca papers on Curtiss-Wright Engineering Cadettes
Unprocessed — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 2022-046
Dates:
circa 1944 - 2000
Emilio Salazar papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSP 23
Scope and Contents
The Emilio Salazar papers document flight instruction at the Purdue Aeronautical Corporation (PAC), and maintenance from the post World War II era to the 1970s. The majority of the papers date from 1950-1970. Aircraft covered by these materials are the DC-3, DC-6B, and DC-9. Many of the instructional materials used by PAC and Purdue Airlines were donated from major airlines such as: Eastern, United, Pan American, and Braniff. Materials from Salazar's later career cover pilot rules and...
Dates:
1928 - 1975; Majority of material found within 1950 - 1970
Ralph H. Schneck Military collection
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSP 123
Abstract
Correspondence, photographs, clippings, high school and military artifacts documenting the childhood, military training and United States Army Air Forces career of Ralph H. Schneck.
Dates:
1854 - 1973; Other: Date acquired: 01/07/2013
Collection on A. A. Sego
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSA 30
Scope and Contents
The Collection on A. A. Sego documents the life and career of Sego, a 1917 Purdue alumnus and test pilot. The collection includes Sego's 1917 leather bound Gala Week program, one photograph of Sego in his aviator helmet, and several photocopied articles pertaining to his life and career.
Dates:
1917 - 2004; Majority of material found within 1917 - 1919
John R. Simmons student papers
Collection — Box 1
Identifier: MSA 313
Scope and Contents
The John R. Simmons student papers document some of the coursework Simmons completed while an Aeronautical Engineering student at Purdue from 1950-1954. Included are "AE-90 Class Div. A" assignments/tests, and various English essays. Also included among the papers is a report titled, "Aircraft Powerplant Testing," by the instructional staff of the Powerplant Division of the School of Aeronautics, Purdue University, September 1951, and several type-written sheets of Civil Air regulations. Types...
Dates:
1943 - 1951
Sirisha Bandla Purdue pennant Flown on Virgin Galactic Unity 22 Mission
Unprocessed — Box 1
Identifier: 2022-079
Dates:
2021-07-11