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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Sponsor

Honored by:
Barbara Vellmerk-Halpern

Richard Elliot Halpern
(December 22, 1930- November 25, 2009)

Following a tour of duty in the Air Force, where he was engaged in special weapons projects, Richard E. Halpern was recruited to join the growing National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1963. During his career, he was the senior official on several largescale space programs, both manned and unmanned; he was also involved in early work on the Space Station:

Director of High Energy AstroPhysics (1969-1981)
Deputy Director of the Spacelab Flight Division of Office of Space Science and Applications (1981-1983)
Director of Microgravity Science and Applications Division of OSSA (1983-1986)
Director of the Utilization Div., International Space Station (1986-1989)

Richard E. Halpern was Program Manager (at HQ) for the three launches of the High-Energy Astronomy Observatory (HEAO-1, HEAO-2, HEAO-3) in 1977-79, which made important discoveries in AstroPhysics.

In 1980, in recognition of the success of the HEAO program, NASA honored Halpern with its highest award, the Distinguished Service Medal, for his "contribution representing substantial progress to aeronautical or space exploration in the interests of The United States." He also received the NASA Exceptional Medal in 1978, as well as group, superior, and outstanding service awards during his career. Richard E. Halpern retired from NASA in 1989