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  • Udvar-Hazy Center in VA
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View of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center tower at sunset

One museum, two locations

Visit us in Washington, DC and Chantilly, VA to explore hundreds of the world’s most significant objects in aviation and space history. Free timed-entry passes are required for the Museum in DC.

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Apollo 11: Buzz Aldrin on the Moon

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space shuttle launch

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Women in Aviation and Space Family Day

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Bob Hoover Gives an Air Show Performance

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Theodore W. Knacke USA

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Theodore W. Knacke USA
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Theodore W. Knacke USA

Foil: 35 Panel: 2 Column: 1 Line: 4

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Leader

Honored by:


T.W. KNACKE; My Contributions to Aerospace Engineering
In the 1930's I was tasked at a University of Stuttgart Institute to help develop a parachute suitable for the in-flight and landing deceleration of aircraft. The result was the ribbon parachute with the first aircraft parachute landing in 1938. In 1939 I was charged with further development of this slotted parachute and its application for the deceleration and recovery of air vehicles, missiles, ordnance, for aircraft emergency escape, air drop of personnel and equipment and related applications.
I continued this work in 1946 in the USA. Among my first assignments were the landing drag chutes for the B-47 and later the B-52 bombers. Improvement of the ribbon parachute, development of the ringslot parachute and work on the ringsail parachute followed. At the Northrop Corp. I was Chief of the Technical Staff that designed the parachute landing systems for the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo spacecraft resulting in 31 consecutive, successful earth landings
Later consultant activity included work on the space shuttle landing and the booster parachute systems as well as other programs. The AIAA recognized my contributions by naming the AIAA Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Award the Theodor W. Knacke Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Award.


Wall of Honor profiles are provided by the honoree or the donor who added their name to the Wall of Honor. The Museum cannot validate all facts contained in the profiles.

Foil: 35

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National Air and Space Museum

6th St. and Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20560

202-633-2214

Open daily
10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Free Timed-Entry Passes
Required

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway
Chantilly, VA 20151

703-572-4118

Open daily
10:00 am - 5:30 pm
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