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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mr. Chris Bucholtz

A materials engineer for more than 40 years, Mr Shaffer played a leading role in developing the materials in the ablative heat shields of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space capsules.

A specialist in high-temperature metals, he engineered alloys for brake systems in aircraft ranging from the T-38 and F-111 to the XB-70 and B-1. Later in his career, he helped develop what became known as carbon fiber.