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Edward Lee Tilton, III began his career with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1964 at Johnson Space Center. Tilton supervised the development and utilization of dynamic simulation facilities and the manned space flight guidance and instrument control components for the Apollo and Skylab programs, including lead technical responsibility for the Astronaut Maneuvering Unit. In the 1970s, Tilton moved to work on developing remote sensing techniques from aircraft and space systems at the Earth Resources Laboratory at Stennis Space Center, becoming Deputy Director in 1977. During the 1980s, Tilton relocated to NASA headquarters working first with the Defense Intelligence Agency and later he became the first Chairman of Program Planning for the newly formed Space Station Task Force. Tilton worked on many projects during his time at NASA headquarters including helping to form the Space Station Utilization Division; serving as Manager of Civil Needs for the National Space Transportation and Support Division; being appointed to the NASA Senior Executive Service; serving on a team to rewrite the President's National Space Policy; and directing the development of the Commercially Developed Space Facility (CDSF). In 1988, Tilton returned to Stennis Space Center as the Director of Science and Technology with responsibilities that included testing, information and sensor system development, commercialization of space, and chairing the steering committee for Higher Education at the Center. Tilton retired from NASA in 1990 and joined GE Government Services working to develop civil space strategies and new initiatives in the Space and Aeronautics Services Division. Tilton joined the MITRE Corporation in 1991 where he held a variety of positions dealing with civil space issues, research and development, and supporting various government contracts. Tilton now serves as the Director of Engineering for Brimtek, Inc.

Identifier

NASM.2014.0014

Creator

Tilton, Edward Lee, III.

Date

1950s-2000s

Provenance

Lee Tilton, Gift, 2013

Extent

10.45 Cubic feet ((9 boxes))

Archival Repository

National Air and Space Museum Archives

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of approximately 8.86 cubic feet of records relating to Edward Lee Tilton, III's career in the aerospace field. The bulk of the material pertains to Tilton's time at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), although Tilton's time at GE and the MITRE Corporation are represented as well. Types of material in this collection include correspondence; press releases; technical reports; biographical and personnel information; publications; news clippings; meeting agendas and presentations; notebooks; photographs; and Apollo program flight plans. Topics represented in the collection include the Apollo program; Skylab; remote sensing; National Space Policy; NASA operations and management; Space Station; commercial development of space; the Space Shuttle program; civil space issues; the Global Disaster Information Network (GDIN); the Earth Resources Laboratory; and the future of space exploration.

Rights

Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests

Restrictions

No restrictions on access.

Citation

Edward Lee Tilton, III Collection, Accession 2014-0014, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Topics

Astronautics

Type

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Correspondence

Manuscripts

Photographic prints

Technical manuals