Mr. Robert (Bob) F. Murray’s career in aeronautics and space exploration spans over 32 years, from Minuteman Missile, Viking Project and Space Station, to the interplanetary explorations of the Galileo and Ulysses missions.
He graduated from Michigan State University in 1959 with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.
His work in aeronautics and space began in 1959 with the Boeing Company in Seattle, Washington. While in Seattle he worked on research and development of the highly regarded Minuteman intercontinental Ballistic Missile. He transferred with Boeing to Vandenberg Air Force Base, California for further development of Minuteman, and traveled to Florida for the initial test launch.
In 1963, Bob transferred with Boeing to Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama, for work on the design of the ground digital timing system for the Apollo Saturn test facilities.
Bob accepted a position as Aerospace Technologist at NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA in 1964, and commenced work on several very successful projects. He was the Electrical Project Engineer for Project Scanner and then project Engineer for the digital programmer system for the Voyager in-house Phase A Study, which was the precursor to Viking. He followed these projects as the Electrical Project Engineer and Assistant Program Manager of the Orbiting Primate Experiment feasibility model.
Bob was the Viking Mission to Mars Project Systems Integration Manager, Alternate Mission Director to the Viking Project Manager, and d a member of the Senior Staff during Viking project’s development, launches, and hugely successful soft landing of two spacecraft on mars in 1976. The Viking Landers were the first spacecraft from earth to arrive on the planet of Mars and the first spacecraft to softland on any planet. The Viking Landers continued to send data back to earth many times longer than any prelaunch estimates.
Bob’s next position was as Deputy Project Manager for Langley Research Center’s Aircraft Energy Efficiency Program. He then worked on the Research and Development of the Rotor Systems Research Aircraft.
He assumed responsibilities as Manager of the Experimental Avionics Systems Integration Lab and as the Experimental Avionics Systems Engineer for the 737 Terminal Configured Vehicle Project (TCV). His responsibilities included authority for the design, development, test and integration of simulator system hardware and software to support research objectives; upgrading lab computer system; test conductor; and final development of a digital fuel system for the TCV B-737 research aircraft. The TCV was the research testbed which spawned development of digital avionics systems in commercial jet transports, first implemented in the early 1980’s on the Boeing 757 and 767.
He was Langley Research Center’s focal point to Marshall Space Flight Center for integration on the Space Station Program Evolutionary Definition Activities, and Study Manager for extensive Manned Mars and Manned Lunar Studies.
Upon moving to NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., he became NASA’s Program Manager for the ambitious and successful Galileo project’s exploration of Jupiter and Jupiter’s moons, and Program Manager for the successfully launched Ulysses Project’s exploration of the sun and the sun’s polar regions.
Mr. Robert F. Murray has received many awards and citations, including the following coveted awards:
Two NASA Exceptional Service Medals
NASA Special Achievement Award
Five Group Achievement Awards
Out of the office, Bob could always play a mean game of tennis and successfully raised five wonderful children with his lovely wife Pat.