Rocket and satellite pioneer in the United States. With the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in the V-2, Aerobee, Viking and Vanguard upper air research programs starting in 1949. Helped form the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in 1958 as Assistant Director. Was one of a three-man Presidential commission charged with negotiating the first peaceful uses of outer space programs with the Soviet Union. Directly involved with the first meteorological, communications, and earth viewing satellites. Presidential appointee in 1968 with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and its predecessor agency for nine years. Elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1975 for work in developing meteorological polar and geostationary satellite systems. President of Fairchild Industries space division, Fairchild headquarters senior executive positions, including Executive Vice President until 1987. Retired as Director of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in 1990.