John C. Weitekamp
(May 31, 1926 - October 21, 2014)
Career Accomplishments

John C. Weitekamp graduated from the University of Michigan with a Degree in Engineering in 1949, at which time he joined McDonnell Aircraft Corporation as a Flight Test Engineer. In 1952, he transferred to the Aerodynamics department. John enjoyed a very distinguished career. Some of his many accomplishments are as follows:
* John was instrumental in the F4H Aircraft Program in the development of selected aerodynamic configuration during its advanced design.
* John was largely responsible for the design, development and successful qualification of the launch escape and recovery systems of the Mercury and Gemini Spacecraft Programs.
* John managed Houston support to NASA-Johnson Space Center (JSC) in the area of flight performance of the Space Shuttle Program, where he was responsible for many aerodynamic and trajectory analysis innovations used by NASA.
* John was appointed and served as a member and MDC Houston representative on the Ascent Flight System Integration Group, which directly supported the NASA-JSC Space Shuttle Office. In this role, his contributions included:
o Development of an integrated system of analysis techniques to resolve aerodynamic, trajectory, environmental, and structural interactions with the Space Shuttle launch system;
o Development of unique analysis techniques for determination of Space Shuttle ascent trajectory shaping requirements and allowable flight envelopes; and
o Development of unique analysis techniques used by NASA to permit post-flight extraction of aerodynamic characteristics of mated elements which made up the Space Shuttle launch system.
* John was also appointed as a charter member of the Launch Systems Evaluation Advisory Team.
* In 1983, John received one of the most prestigious honors within the company, at which time he was promoted to MDC (McDonnell Douglas Corporation) Fellow.