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David G. Simons was a doctor who worked on aerospace medical research with the United States Air Force. On August 19, 1957, Simons ascended from Crosby, Minnesota to achieve a world altitude balloon record. This collection consists of Simons' record diploma from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).
Dr. David G. Simons completed medical school at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1946. In 1947, he entered the United States Air Force (USAF) and began work at the USAF Aeromedical Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. There, Simons headed a project studying the effects of high altitude V-2 (A-4) missile flights on animals. Simons worked as Chief of Space Biology at the Air Force Missile Development Center at Holloman Air Force Base from 1953--1959. During this time, he worked on a project involving high altitude balloon flights. On August 19, 1957, Simons ascended from Crosby, Minnesota to achieve a world altitude balloon record. Simons was inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame at the New Mexico Museum of Space History in 1987.
NASM.XXXX.0787
International Aeronautic Federation
1957
Otto C. Winzen, Gift, 1958, NASM.XXXX.0787
0.05 Cubic feet (1 folder)
National Air and Space Museum Archives
This collection consists of a 9 by 12 inch record diploma from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) certifying that Major David G. Simons of the United States Air Force achieved a balloon altitude record of 30,942 meters (102,000 feet) on August 19--20, 1957.
Collection is a single item.
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David G. Simons Record Diploma, NASM.XXXX.0787, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Aeronautics -- Records
Balloons
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Certificates