Robert F. Schaefer

Robert F. Schaefer
April 27, 1936 to present

Robert (Bob) Schaefer received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Michigan in Jan. 1959. Bob also received a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the USAFR upon graduation. He reported for active duty in March 1959 to McClelland AFB, CA, with a specialty code of "Aeronautical Engineer" assigned to Headquarters Sacramento Air Material Area. He served 3 ½ years on active duty, the last 2 as the Designated Weapon System Engineer for the F-100 Super Sabre Aircraft for which Sacramento AMA was prime. Schaefer oversaw numerous modifications and upgrades to the F-100 Aircraft including implementation of a Rocket Ejection System permitting runway ejection at speeds above 90 Knots. Upon his release from active duty in Sept. 1962, Bob joined North American Aviation (NAA) as a Senior Engineer at their Los Angeles Aircraft Division which was then supporting the F-100 & F-86 Aircraft, the X-15 Research Vehicle and the XB-70 Supersonic Bomber. In 1964, Bob transferred to the NAA Space and Information Systems Division in Downey, CA where he joined the Systems Engineering Department in a "trouble shooting" group on the Apollo Program. Early on, he was tasked to verify that the battery powered electrical system could support the several planned unmanned CSM missions designed to validate various subsystem performance including the Heat Shield at lunar return velocities. This led to the formation of the Mission Consumables Group that provided analysis of mission requirements for the Electrical Power, Environmental Control System heat rejection, Reaction Control Jets attitude control and Service Propulsion systems. Bob also established a Power Management Plan giving management the same visibility of power growth impacts as mass properties. Schaefer and his consumables team provided support to the NASA Mission Planning Division and real time Flight Support activities for all Apollo Missions. His consumables team was instrumental in defining & analyzing the CM power up sequence followed by a low power entry mode for Apollo 13 return. In 1974, Bob moved to the Space Transportation System Shuttle Orbiter Program to established and lead their Consumables Analysis Group. When the STS transitioned from development flights to operational status, Bob was reassigned as a Mission Manager (1 of 4) responsible for the contractor's certification of flight readiness of hardware, software and support systems. Schaefer also held technical & management assignments on several Strategic Defense Initiative proposals and contracts. Bob retired from NAA (Rockwell Int.) in 1992 after 30 years of service. He currently resides in Palm Desert, CA but maintains contact with former colleagues and retiree's of the Apollo and Space Shuttle Programs. Bob is also a volunteer Docent at the Palm Springs Air Museum.