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watt(s)
W13.
Standard warhead of Navaho G-26 intermediate range cruise missile.
W27.
Standard warhead of Regulus 2 intermediate range cruise missile.
W28.
W30.
Standard warhead of Talos missile.
W31.
W36.
Standard warhead of Navaho G-38 intercontinental cruise missile.
W38.
W39.
Standard warhead of Snark intercontinental cruise missile and Redstone short range ballistic missile.
W40.
W45.
Standard warhead of Little John tactical ballistic rocket and Terrier surface-to-air missile.
W45 Mod 1.
Standard warhead of RIM-2D surface-to-air missile.
W47.
Standard warhead of Polaris A2 missile.
W49.
Standard warhead of Thor and Jupiter intermediate range ballistic missiles and Titan 1 intercontinental ballistic missile.
W5.
W-5.
Standard warhead of Hermes A-3B tactical ballistic missile.
W50.
Standard warhead of Pershing 1 intermediate range ballistic missile.
W52.
Standard warhead of Sergeant missile.
W53.
Standard warhead of Titan 2 intercontinental ballistic missile.
W54.
Standard warhead of Davy Crockett M-28 and Davy Crockett XM-29 tactical ballistic rockets.
W56.
Standard warhead of Minuteman 2 intercontinental ballistic missile.
W58.
Standard warhead of Polaris A3 missile.
W59.
Standard warhead of Minuteman 1A intercontinental ballistic missile.
W59 (Mk. 5) or W56 (Mk. 11).
Standard warhead of Minuteman 1B intercontinental ballistic missile.
W66.
Standard warhead of Sprint anti-ballistic missile.
W68.
Standard warhead of Poseidon submarine-launched ballistic missile.
W69.
Standard warhead of SRAM air-to-surface missile.
W7.
Standard warhead of Corporal missile.
W-7.
Standard warhead of Hermes A-2 tactical ballistic missile.
W70.
Standard warhead of MGM-52A short range ballistic missile.
W71.
W76.
Standard warhead of Trident C-4 intercontinental ballistic missile.
W78.
Standard warhead of Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missile.
W80.
Standard warhead of AGM-86A air-to-surface missile.
W80-1.
Standard warhead of AGM-86B air-to-surface missile.
W81.
Standard warhead of RIM-67A surface-to-air missile.
W85.
Standard warhead of Pershing 1A and Pershing 2 intermediate range ballistic missile.
W87.
Standard warhead of Peacekeeper intercontinental ballistic missile.
W88.
Standard warhead of Trident D-5 intercontinental ballistic missile.
Wac.
Development of the JPL-Ordnance WAC began in 1944. In 1946 it became the first American rocket to exceed 80 km altitude (above the earth's atmosphere as defined by publicity of the time). It was capable of taking 11 kg to 30 km altitude and was powered by a liquid propellant engine originally developed for JATO applications.
Wac.
Development of the JPL-Ordnance WAC began in 1944. In 1946 it became the first American rocket to exceed 80 km altitude (above the earth's atmosphere as defined by publicity of the time). It was capable of taking 11 kg to 30 km altitude and was powered by a liquid propellant engine originally developed for JATO applications.
WAC.
JPL/Douglas Nitric acid/aniline rocket engine. 6.7 kN.
American sounding rocket.
Solid rocket stage. 220.00 kN (49,458 lbf) thrust. Mass 300 kg (661 lb).
American sounding rocket.
Wac Corporal.
Alternate designation for Wac sounding rocket.
Nitric acid/Aniline propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 300/125 kg. Thrust 6.70 kN.
Wachtel, Max German colonel and commander-in-chief for service introduction of the V-1 (Fi-103).
Wade.
Wade, David (1910-) American USAF Officer. David Wade was a career Air Force officer who advanced to the rank of lieutenant general in 1964. He was commander of the 1st Missile Division from 1958 to 1961 and later commanded the 16th, 2d, and 8th Air Forces.
Wagner, Herbert (1900-1982) German aircraft designer.
Wahmke (-1934) German propulsion expert. Rocket pioneer and engine developer.
Wakata, Koichi (1963-) Japanese engineer mission specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-72, STS-92, STS-119.
US Pacific test vehicle launch site. In use from 1974 for launches of re-entry test vehicles and anti-ballistic missile targets. Known to have been used for 18 launches from 1974 to 2004, reaching up to 500 kilometers altitude.
Wakelin, James H (1911-1990) American manager, assistant secretary of the Navy (research and development) 1959-1964.
Walchner, Otto German expert in supersonics aerodynamics during World War II. As of January 1947, working at Wright Field, Ohio.
US base in the 1980's for 36 Pershing 2 IRBM's. The launchers and missiles were withdrawn and destroyed under the INF Treaty with the Soviet Union.
Walheim, Rex Joseph (1962-) American test pilot mission specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-110, STS-122, STS-135.
Walker, Charles David (1948-) American engineer payload specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-41-D, STS-51-D, STS-61-B.
Operational US Atlas F (SMS 579) ICBM base, location of several fuelling accidents in 1963-1964.
Atlas launch complex.
Walker, Charles (1925-) American engineer. Part of Atlas management team.
Walker, David Mathieson 'Dave' (1944-2001) American test pilot astronaut. Flew on STS-51-A, STS-30, STS-53, STS-69. Navy nickname Red Flash, a cocky pilot, over-confident in some astronaut's eyes.
Walker, Joseph Albert (1921-1966) American NACA/NASA test pilot 1945-1966. Flew D-558, X-1, X-3, X-4, and X-5, and into space on X-15 Flights 77, 90, and 91. Killed in 1968 when the F-104 he was flying collided with the XB-70 during a photo opportunity.
Walker, Shannon (1965-) American astrophysicist mission specialist astronaut, 2004-on.
Wallace, Fred (1922-) American engineer. Atlas Chief of Test Operations at Sycamore Canyon.
Wallops
American agency. Wallops Flight Facility, USA.
Small NASA launch site for sounding rocket launches and occasional Scout launches to orbit. Air launches are conducted from the Drop Zone Wallops Island, 37.00 N 72.0 W. With the last orbital launch in 1985 and the decline in sounding rocket launches, Wallops fell into near-disuse as a launch center. Its fortunes revised with the establishment of Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in 2005 and orbital launches resumed in 2010.
Air-launched rocket drop zone known to have been used for 6 launches from 1996 to 1999, reaching up to 834 kilometers altitude.
Launch Area 0, HAD launcher
Conestoga launch complex. Launch Area 0A
Minotaur, ALV launch complex. Launch Area 0B, Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport
Little Joe, Iris, Astrobee, Aerobee, Little Joe 1 2C launch complex. Aerobee Launcher, Launch Area 1
AML 50K Launcher, Launch Area 1
Tomahawk Sandia, Black Brant, Astrobee, Arcas, Apache launch complex. Launch Area 2
Thiokol AML-1 North, Launch Area 2
Thiokol AML-2 South, Launch Area 2
ARC Launcher, Launch Area 2
HAD Launcher, Launch Area 2
Jupiter Launcher, Launch Area 2A
Military Launcher South, Launch Area 2
RAG Launcher, Launch Area 2A
Scout, Nike, Apache launch complex. Mk I Launcher, Launch Area 3
HAD Launcher, Launch Area 3
Scout launch complex. Mk II Launcher, Launch Area 3
20K AML launcher, Pad 3B, Launch Area 3
Tomahawk Sandia, Sergeant, Little Joe, Journeyman launch complex. Launch Area 4
HAD launcher, Launch Area 4
MAST launcher, Launch Area 4
Military Launcher, Launch Area 4
Cajun, Black Brant, Apache launch complex. Launch Area 5
Wallops Island LP08B
Runway, WFF Research Airport, Wallops Main Base
Walpot, Heike (1960-) German physician payload specialist astronaut, 1987-1993.
Walter, Dr Ulrich Hans (1954-) German physicist payload specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-55.
Walther German rocket technician; later worked in France as part of the structures group at LRBA from 1946 to 1960. Returned to live in Bremerhaven.
Walz.
Walz, Carl Erwin (1955-) American test pilot mission specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-51, STS-65, STS-79, ISS EO-4.
Wang.
Wang, Dr Taylor Gun-Jin (1940-) Chinese-American physicist payload specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-51-B.
Wang Daheng Chinese Engineer. Chief Designer of camera systems for Chinese reconnaissance satellites.
Wang Fuhe Chinese pilot taikonaut, 1971, but program cancelled less than a year later. Wang was a PLAAF pilot when selected. Selected as Chinese astronaut in March 1971.
Wang Fuquan (1939-) Chinese pilot taikonaut, 1971, but program cancelled less than a year later. Joined PLA in 1958. He was a PLAAF deputy regiment commander when selected. Selected as Chinese astronaut in March 1971.
Wang Quanbo Chinese pilot taikonaut, 1971, but program cancelled less than a year later. Joined PLA in 1958. He was a PLAAF squadron commander when selected. Selected as Chinese astronaut in March 1971.
Wang Rongsen (1934-) Chinese pilot taikonaut, 1971, but program cancelled less than a year later. Wang was a PLAAF deputy division commander when selected. Selected as Chinese astronaut in March 1971.
Wang Xiji Chinese space technology pioneer. Chief Designer of China's sounding rockets, first space launch vehicle, and first recoverable satellites.
Wang Yongzhi (1931-) Chinese Chief Designer for Project 921, supervised development of the Shenzhou spacecraft, CZ-2F booster, new launch facilities at Jiuquan, new testing, training, and control facilities, and a worldwide tracking and recovery network.
Wang Zhiyue (1941-) Chinese pilot taikonaut, 1971, but program cancelled less than a year later.
Atlas D (SMS 564), SMS 564) and E (SMS 549) ICBM base. Later a Minuteman ICBM base.
Warsitz, Erich (1906-1983) German Luftwaffe test pilot.
There was something awfully familiar looking about the Soyuz spacecraft, the most successful in history....
Wasielewski, Eugene W (1913-1972) American engineer, at NASA 1947-1960, developing major engine-testing laboratories and supersonic wind tunnels.
Wasp.
American sounding rocket. Wasp research and develoment chaff and parachute rockets were used to obtain wind soundings to 260,000 m, fired by Naval Ordnance Missile Test Facility at WSPG.
Seminal German surface-to-air missile, tested during World War II, but never operational. The V-2-configuration rocket was copied in the USA as the Hermes and in the USSR as the R-101. In Russia it also became the starting point for the R-11/R-17 Scud surface-to-surface missile.
Wehrmacht Nitric acid/Tonka rocket engine. 80 kN.
Nitric acid/Tonka propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 3,500/1,700 kg. Thrust 80.00 kN.
Waterman, Alan T (1892-1967) American physicist. First director of the National Science Foundation, 1951-1963. Disputed authority for space science with NASA.
Watterson, John Brett (1949-) American engineer military spaceflight engineer astronaut, 1979-1986.
WD.
White Dwarf
Poem: The moon above...
Weapons Research Establishment Satellite.
Alternate designation for Wresat earth atmosphere satellite.
Category of spacecraft.
Weaver, Carol Lynn Belt (1953-) American meteorologist payload specialist astronaut, 1988-1989.
Webb.
Webb, James E (1906-1992) American manager, NASA Adminstrator 1961-1968. A savvy political operator and manager, he was singularly responsible for NASA being able to achieve the goal of landing a man on the moon by 1970.
Webb Space Telescope.
Alternate designation for WST visible astronomy satellite.
American manufacturer of spacecraft. Weber State University, Utah, USA.
Weber, Dr Mary Ellen (1962-) American chemical engineer mission specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-70, STS-101. Chemist.
Weber, Andrae H German expert in guided missiles during World War II. As of January 1947, working "c/o Klinger", British Zone.
Weber, Wolfgang German Officer. Lieutenant colonel and commander of a V-2 Artillery Unit.
Wegenroth German expert in solid fuel, ram jets during World War II. As of January 1947, last known to be working at Prien.
Wehner, R S (1915-) American Engineer. R.S. Wehner was research scientist with the Radio Corporation of America, 1943-1945; Airborne Instrument Laboratory, 1945-1948; the Rand Corp., 1948-1951; and the Hughes Aircraft Co., 1951-1959.
German agency overseeing development of rocket engines and rockets. Wehrmacht, Germany.
Weidner, Hermann Joachim (1912-) German expert in guided missiles during World War II. As of January 1947, working at Fort Bliss, Texas. As of 1960, Deputy Director, Structures and Mechanics Division, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. Living in Solms, Germany in 2004.
Weinberger, Caspar W (1917-) American manager, led OMB 1970-1976, shaped shuttle design by limiting its budget. As Secretary of Defence for Reagan 1981-1987, doled out large military increases, including new ICBMs, Star Wars, military satellites.
Weiss, Helmut German engineer. Member of German Rocket Team in France after WW2.
Weissenborn German rocket engineer in WW2; later worked in France at LRBA on gyroscopes and antennae in the automated control loop department 1947-1952.
Weitz, Paul Joseph (1932-) American pilot astronaut. Flew on Skylab 2, STS-6. Member of first successful space station mission.
Wells, H G (1866-1946) British writer, noted futurist, and one of the founders of the literary genre of science fiction. His novels described a future filled with technology, some of it terrifying, and contact with extraterrestrial beings, much of it disastrous
Japanese earth land resources satellite. One launch, 2002.12.14. Ecology satellite.
The satellites, act as space repeaters capable of receiving transmissions from earth stations and retransmitting them to other earth stations in Canada. The antenna coverage of the satellite provides the capability of serving virtually all of Canada.
American manufacturer of rockets. Western Electric, USA.
Air-launched rocket drop zone known to have been used for 5 launches from 1984 to 1986, reaching up to 1000 kilometers altitude.
American passive communications satellite. 3 launches, 1961.10.21 (Westford) to 1963.05.09 (Westford). In an attempt to lay a radio-reflective ring around the world, small metal dipole needles were allowed to sublimate out of a matrix.
Westphas German expert in autopilots steering of guided missiles during World War II. As of January 1947, last known to be working at Askania-Werke's test site.
WETF.
Weightless Environment Training Facility Large swimming pool at Houston with mockups of the shuttle airlock, cargo bay, payloads, and ISS elements. Used by spacesuited astronauts, with suitable ballast and accompanied by divers, to train for spacewalks.
Wetherbee, James Donald 'Wexbee' (1952-) American test pilot astronaut. Flew on STS-32, STS-52, STS-63, STS-86, STS-102, STS-113. Flew in space six times.
WETS.
Wednesday Evening Tanking Society
Wexler, Harry (1911-1962) American meteorologist, at US Weather Bureau 1934-1961. One of the first scientists to envision using satellites for meteorological purposes and known as the father of the Tiros satellite.
WFF.
Wallops Flight Facility
WFPC.
Wide Field / Planetary Camera (on HST)
Replacement for WFPC
What did the CIA know and when did they know it?.
Fifty years of declassified American National Intelligence Estimates, compared to what we now know was really happening in Soviet programs...
Wheelock, Douglas Harry (1960-) American test pilot mission specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-120, ISS EO-24. US Army.
Mace/Matador operating location. Crews from Europe would come here once a year to live-fire one of the cruise missiles then deployed around-the-clock in Germany.
Poem: When I was a kid, we had 9 planets...
Whipple, Fred L (1906-2004) American astronomer, popular writer on planetary exploration in the 1950's, who helped to fire the public's imagination and enthusiasm for space exploration.
Whitcomb, Gordon P (1940-) British enginee, working at ESA from 1974 on spacecraft system design. Later headed ESA's Future Science Projects Office.
White, Edward Higgins II 'Ed' (1930-1967) American test pilot astronaut. Flew on Gemini 4. First American to walk in space. Died in on-pad fire of Apollo 1.
White Cloud.
Code name for NOSS military naval signals reconnaisance satellite.
Subsonic rocket launch aircraft. Loaded/empty mass 4,100/1,200 kg. Thrust 34.30 kN. Specific impulse 2000 seconds. Carries SpaceShipOne to release point 65 km from Mohave Airport base, then releases it at 15 km altitude at 215 kph. Wing area 43.5 sq m.
White Sands Missile Range occupies an area 160 x 65 km in the Tularosa Basin of southern New Mexico, across the Sacramento Mountain range from Roswell. In the 1930's, Robert Goddard, after surveying weather conditions and population densities, had selected Roswell for his pioneering rocket tests. White Sands, a true desert area, was even more unpopulated than Roswell. German advances in rocketry during World War II impelled the US Army to begin programs to exploit this technology. The White Sands Proving Ground was established for testing German and American long-range rockets on 9 July 1945. Seven days later the first atomic bomb was exploded at Trinity Site, near the north boundary of the range. The first launch of a Tiny Tim rocket was on 26 September 1945. On 11 October a Tiny Tim boosted a WAC Corporal rocket from the tower. This was the first use of Launch Complex 33, later to be used for V-2, Nike, Viking, Corporal, Lance and Multiple Launch Rocket System testing.
Storm-2, Hera launch complex. Launch site for anti-ballistic missile targets. These are most often test vehicles composed of surplus Minuteman ICBM stages.
Wac, Viking, V-2, Nike, Javelin, Hermes, Corporal, Atlas, Apache launch complex. LC 33 was the United States' first major rocket launch facility. The original Army Launch Area 1 complex consisted of a blockhouse, several concrete launching pads for captured German V-2 rockets, a 30-m tall launch tower for Aerobee rockets, a gantry and blast pit.
Standard-ER, Black Brant, Aerobee launch complex. Work on LC-35 was begun by the US Navy in 1946. Although no specific requirement had been identified, Captain Robert McLaughlin of the Bureau of Naval Ordnance realized the Navy would need an instrumented range to test the surface-to-air missiles planned for Navy ships. The first facilities built were a blockhouse and two launch towers for Aerobee sounding rockets. From 1947 a total of 675 Aerobees were launched from White Sands, most of these from LC-35.
Terrier, Redstone, Nike, Little Joe II, Honest John, Black Brant, Storm, Aries, Apollo LES launch complex. Originally designated Army Launch Area 2, LC36 was later a LC36 was a NASA facility that supported tests of the Apollo Launch Escape System. It was also used to launch NASA sounding rocket missions. The complex included a blockhouse, launch control equipment, and launchers with environmental shelters. These launchers included:
Squirt, HEDI launch complex. LC 37 (Army Launch Area Three) was the main test complex for the Nike Ajax and Nike Hercules surface-to-air missiles. Later additions were used for HIBEX and HEDI KITE launches, and as the Army's Advanced Gun Munitions Test Site.
Nike Zeus launch complex. LC 38 (Army Launch Area Five) was originally built in the 1960's for test of the Nike Zeus anti-ballistic missile. The Nike Zeus system required elaborate infrastructure to house the large missiles, and even larger assembly of radars, computers, and electronics. There were two R&D Zeus Launch Cells and later one tactical Launch Cell. In 1969 LC-38 was modified for test of the Patriot surface-to-air missile system, which eventually was developed to be capable against short-range ballistic missiles. The complex continued to be used for Patriot testing into the 21st Century.
Launch Complex
Sprint, HIBEX launch complex. West Center 50 was located in the central portion of the range near Rhodes Canyon. The facility included a hardened blockhouse to accommodate test of Sprint short-range anti-ballistic missiles without a destruct charge. The only missiles (with the possible exception of a HIBEX) that were ever launched from LC50 were Sprints (except for other small missile launched from there in later years). LC-50 was a mound built up in the desert with a ramp up to it coming from the south-southwest. The mound originally had three launch cells. One was destroyed by an explosion of FLA-3 in the cell. It was fenced and locked.
Nike Zeus, Hera launch complex. Launch Complex 94 (FIX)
Storm launch complex. The SULF complex was located at the northwest end of the range and was equipped with a blockhouse, ordnance assembly building, three launchers, and a 30-m long environmental shelter. This complex was used to launch anti-ballistic missile targets (generally composed of surplus Minuteman ICBM motors) and to launch technology demonstrations or unique science and engineering payloads into sub-orbital trajectories.
White Sands Space Harbor
Submarine-launched ballistic missile area known to have been used for 27 launches from 1955 to 2007, reaching up to 1000 kilometers altitude.
White, Alvin Swauger (1918-2006) American test pilot, 1954-1967. Chief test pilot for the XB-70.
White, Robert Michael (1924-2010) American test pilot. First person to reach space in a rocketplane on X-15 Flight 62.
White, Robert M (1923-) American manager, headed US Weather Bureau and ESSA in the 1960s; Administrator of NOAA in the 1970s; head of the National Academy of Engineering in the late 1980s.
Whitehead, Clay T American politician, a White House staff assistant during the Nixon Administration between 1969 and 1972 who was heavily involved in space policy associated with the decision to build the Space Shuttle and post-Apollo planning for NASA.
Minuteman ICBM base.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site A-01.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site A-02.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site A-03.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site A-04.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site A-05.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site A-06.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site A-07.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site A-08.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site A-09.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site A-10.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site A-11.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site B-01.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site B-02.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site B-03.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site B-04.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site B-07.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site B-08.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site B-10.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site B-11.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site C-01.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site C-02.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site C-04.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site C-05.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site C-06.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site C-07.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site C-08.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site C-09.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site C-10.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site C-11.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site D-01.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site D-02.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site D-03.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site D-04.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site D-05.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site D-06.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site D-07.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site D-08.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site D-09.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site D-11.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site E-01.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site E-02.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site E-03.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site E-04.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site E-05.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site E-06.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site E-07.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site E-08.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site E-09.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site E-10.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site E-11.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site F-01.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site F-02.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site F-03.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site F-04.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site F-05.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site F-06.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site F-07.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site F-08.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site F-09.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site F-10.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site G-01.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site G-02.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site G-03.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site G-04.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site G-05.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site G-06.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site G-07.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site G-08.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site G-09.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site G-10.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site G-11.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site H-01.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site H-02.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site H-03.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site H-04.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site H-05.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site H-06.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site H-07.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site H-08.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site H-09.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site H-10.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site H-11.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site I-01.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site J-01.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site K-01.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site L-01.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site M-01.
Whiteman AFB Missile Site N-01.
Whitson, Peggy Annette (1960-) American biochemist mission specialist astronaut. Flew on ISS EO-5, ISS EO-16. Biochemist, first female space station commander, American and female record for cumulative days in space, female record for number of spacewalks. 376 cumulative days in space.
Why did the Soviet Union lose the Moon Race?.
The reasons the Americans were first on the moon, as given by the major Soviet participants.
Wide Field Infrared Explorer.
Alternate designation for WIRE infrared astronomy satellite.
Wiedemann, Hans Johann German expert in guided missiles during World War II. As of January 1947, returned to Germany after working at Port Washington, New York..
Wiegand, Heinrich German expert in rockets during World War II. As of January 1947, living at Grefelfing b/Munich.
Wier.
Wier, Benjamin (1927-) American engineer. Atlas-E flight test conductor and later Deputy Program Manager.
Wiesemann, Walter Fritz (1920-2000) German-American engineer. Reassigned from Luftwaffe to Peenemuende in 1941. Worked on anti-aircraft rockets, went to America with von Braun's team in 1945, working on Huntsville projects until retirement in 1970.
Wiesner, Jerome B (1915-1994) American scientist. Physicist, gadfly, science advisor to Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy; opposed human spaceflight, the Apollo program, and the lunar orbit rendezvous method of lunar landing.
Wigbels, Lyn (1951-) American NASA manager for international affairs, 1979-on.
Wilcutt, Terrence Wade 'Terry' (1949-) American test pilot astronaut. Flew on STS-68, STS-79, STS-89, STS-106. US Marine Corps
Canadian manned spacecraft. Study 2004. X-Prize suborbital balloon-launched ballistic spacecraft concept of the Da Vinci Project, led by Brian Feeney of Toronto, Canada. Reached the stage of engineering tests by 2003.
American pressure suit, operational 1934-35. B F Goodrich made a full pressure suit for pioneering aviator Wiley Post, who used it to make ten stratospheric flights in 1934-1935.
Williams, Sunita Lyn 'Suni' (1965-) American test pilot mission specialist astronaut. Flew on ISS EO-14-1. US Navy test pilot. Grew up in Needham, Massachusetts.
Williams, Bill Alvin (1942-) American physiologist payload specialist astronaut, 1983-1985.
Williams, Clifton Curtis 'CC' (1932-1967) American test pilot astronaut, 1963-1967. US Marine Corps aviator. Died in crash of his T-38 trainer aircraft.
Williams, Dr Dafydd Rhys 'Dave' (1954-) Canadian physician mission specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-90, STS-118.
Williams, Donald Edward (1942-) American test pilot astronaut. Flew on STS-51-D, STS-34.
Williams, Donald D (1931-1966) American engineer, instrumental in the development of the Early Bird and Syncom communications satellites. Commited suicide in 1966.
Williams, Jeffrey Nels (1958-) American test pilot mission specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-101, ISS EO-13, ISS EO-21.
Williams, Walter C (1919-1995) American engineer, at NASA 1940-1964, founded NASA flight test facility at Edwards AFB, directed operations for Mercury. 1964-1975, VP at Aerospace Corporation. 1975-1982 chief engineer of NASA.
Willner, William American NASA Manager, in charge of construction in the procurement and supply division of NASA Headquarters' office of business administration. By August 1960, he had moved to the office of research grants and contracts.
American manufacturer of rockets. Willys-Overland, USA.
Wilmore, Barry Eugene 'Butch' (1962-) American test pilot astronaut, 2000-on.
Wilson, Stephanie Diana (1966-) African-American engineer mission specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-121, STS-120, STS-131. Engineer.
Wilson, Charles E 'Electric Charlie' (1886-1972) American industrialist, headed General Electric and worked with Truman's Office of Defense Mobilization in the 1950s.
Wilson, Charles Erwin 'Engine Charlie' (1890-1961) American Manager, Eisenhower's Secretary of Defense 1953-1957, an ardent opponent of spaceflight. He had previously run GM, where he coined the phrase "What's good for General Motors is good for the country".
Wilson, Charles 'Chuck' (1925-) American engineer. Atlas Space Booster Program Manager
Wind.
American earth magnetosphere satellite. One launch, 1994.11.01. Wind was designed to provide continuous measurement of the solar wind, particularly charged particles and magnetic field data.
WINDS.
Code name for Kizuna communications satellite.
In the beginning, nobody (except Jules Verne) thought anybody would be travelling to space and back in ballistic cannon balls. The only proper way for a space voyager to return to earth was at the controls of a real winged airplane.
American manned spaceplane. Study 1966. Winged Gemini was the most radical modification of the basic Gemini reentry module ever considered.
In June 1962 NASA funded studies with several contractors on Operations and Logistics for Space Stations. North American's study was dated 18 March 1963. The second alternative was a two-stage reusable booster derived from the Saturn V. This would boost either an 11,400 kg cargo, or a half-disc lifting body spaceplane, which would accommodate two crew plus ten passengers and minor cargo
American winged orbital launch vehicle. The only trace of this winged version of the Titan launch vehicle are some drawings in popular magazines ca. 1960.
First German manufacturer of rockets.
Winkler, Johannes (1897-1947) German engineer. Rocket enthusiast, launched first liquid rocket in Europe on 1931.02.21.
Winskowski, Henrik (1906-) German design engineer in WW2, member of the Rocket Team in the Soviet Union, worked on rocket engine development in Glushko's design bureau from 1947 to 1952. Worked in Engineering and Design; Dept. 61.
Wintergerst, Alfred German expert in rocket and aircraft equipment during World War II. As of January 1947, living at Munich, Romanstr. 3.
Wintergerst, Erich German expert in aircraft and rocket during World War II. As of January 1947, living at Berlin, Gneisenaustr. 27.
WIRE.
American infrared astronomy satellite. One launch, 1999.03.05. WIRE was designed to survey the celestial sky in the infrared bands and build on the results of the IRAS mission.
Wirth, Wolfgang German expert in biological warfare during World War II. As of January 1947, last known to be working at Freising.
Wisconsin-Madison.
Wiseman, Gregory Reid (1975-) American test pilot astronaut, 2009-on.
Wisoff, Peter Jeffrey Kelsay 'Jeff' (1958-) American physicist mission specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-57, STS-68, STS-81, STS-92. Was married to astronaut Tammy Jernigan.
Withee, Wallace W (1913-) American engineer. Member of the Atlas management team; headed test operations.
Wittmann, Albin (1907-1988) German-American engineer. Member of the German rocket team, went to America after the first group. As of 1960, Head of Electrical Systems Analsyis Branch, Quality Division, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. Died at Huntsville, Alabama.
WIYN.
Wisconsin / Indiana / Yale / NOAO telescope
wk.
week
WO.
British agency. UK Special Projectile Operations Group, UK.
US base for BGM-109G ground-launched cruise missiles. Never became operational prior to the INF Treaty with the Soviet Union.
Woerdemann, Hugo H (1915-1999) German-American radio systems engineer, first worked with early rocketeers in 1934. Member of the Rocket Team at Peenemuende and the United States until 1950; thereafter working in radio technology for North American Aviation and his own firm, Magnetic Research Corporation. Died a grapefruit rancher in Temecula, California.
Wohlfahrt, Kurt (1917-) German engineer, worked at Peenemuende in WW2; worked in the Soviet Union afterwards. One of the group that fired V-2 rockets at Kapustin Yar in 1946.
Wolf.
Wolf, Dr David Alexander 'Bluto' (1956-) Jewish-American physician mission specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-58, Mir NASA-5, STS-112, STS-127.
Wolff, Waldemar (1894-) German ballistics expert; worked in the Soviet Union after WW2. One of the group that fired V-2 rockets at Kapustin Yar in 1946.
Links to the biographies of female conquerors of space!
Wood.
Wood, James Wayne (1924-1990) American pilot astronaut, 1962-1963.
Wood, Nigel Richard (1949-) British engineer payload specialist astronaut, 1984-1986.
Wood, Robert Jackson (1957-2009) American physicist payload specialist astronaut, 1985-1986.
Woodhouse and Taylor.
Woodward, Neil Whitney III (1962-) American test pilot mission specialist astronaut, 1998-2008.
Woolams, Jack (1917-1946) American Bell test pilot, flew XP-59A and XS-1. Killed in an air crash during a practice flight for a race that was to occur the next day.
Wooldridge, Dean E (1913-2006) American engineer, co-founder of TRW in 1953, director of TRW STL 1962-on.
After World War II British government recognized the need for a large range to test the incredible array of long-range missile systems then planned. After considering sites in Canada, it was decided that Australia would best meet the projected needs. The Long Range Weapons Establishment was created on 1 April 1947 as a joint British/Australian enterprise. 23 days later the name Woomera (an aboriginal word of axtlaxtl, or spear thrower) was selected for the new town to be built as its administrative center. Woomera town peaked at a population of 6,000 in the 1960's. Thereafter the progressive cancellation of British missile and space projects put Woomera went into sustained decline. However it played a key role in the history of rocketry, including orbital launches or launch attempts by Black Arrow, Sparta, and Europa boosters.
HAD launcher
S launch complex.
Stonechat, Skylark, Rook, Jaguar, Black Brant, Lorikeet, Long Tom, Kookaburra, HAD, Corella, Cockatoo, Aero High launch complex. Sounding rocket launcher
Moraba mobile launcher, LA2
Hypersonic launcher, LA2
Nike Launcher, LA2
Skylark launcher, LA2
Launch Area 3
Launch Area 4
Black Knight launch complex. Launch Area 5A
Black Knight, Black Arrow launch complex. Launch Area 5B
Europa, Blue Streak launch complex. Launch Area 6A
Redstone, Aerobee launch complex. Launch Area 8
Launch Area 9
MRL launcher
Worcester Poly.
Worden, Alfred Merrill (1932-) American test pilot astronaut. Flew on Apollo 15.
American orbital launch vehicle. Rand study of 1946-1947, in response to the Navy HATV, for a three-stage satellite launcher to be in use by 1952. Development funding was not forthcoming.
American orbital launch vehicle. In May 1956 the Air Force proposed mating an Atlas A with an Aerobee-Hi upper stage in order to launch a satellite during the International Geophysical Year (1957-1958). The Eisenhower administration selected the Vanguard instead. After Sputnik, an Atlas B with no upper stage orbited the Score satellite as a reply to the Soviet's Sputnik 3.
The WorldSpace project, led by Ethiopian-born Noah Samara, was intended to empower the developing world by providing improved access to information. Its three satellites, Afristar, Asiastar, and Ameristar, were to broadcast digital radio to less developed countries. Small hand-held radios could pick up the 24 to 96 radio channels available on the three L-band beams broadcast by each satellite. On-board processing allows variable bit rates to provide audio quality ranging from monophonic to CD digital. Broadcasters would send their programs to the satellite with a small X-band ground station.
American agency. Worldspace Incorporated, Washington, DC, USA.
American civilian surveillance satellite. First launch 2007.09.18. DigitalGlobe's WorldView satellite provided highly detailed imagery for precise map creation, change detection and in-depth image analysis.
Woytech German rocket engineer in WW2; later worked in France at LRBA in the optical tracking group of the target tracking department 1947-1952.
Wozniak, Frank (1916-) American engineer. Member of Atlas engineering team.
Australian agency. Western Pacific Laser Tracking Network, Australia.
WR.
Western Range (was WTR)
WRE.
Australian manufacturer of rockets, spacecraft, and rocket engines. Australian Weapons Research Establishment, Australia.
Australian earth atmosphere satellite. One launch, 1967.11.29. Australian Weapons Research Establishment Satellite, launched using surplus US Army Redstone missile, that obtained solar radiation, upper atmosphere data.
American manufacturer of rocket engines. Wright, USA.
Wright, Keith Charles (1947-) American engineer military spaceflight engineer astronaut, 1979-1985. Director, Satellite Control Facility in Sunnyvale. Later with Sparta Corporation, El Segundo, California.
Wright, John David (1905-) American manager, went to work for Thompson Products in 1933 and rose through the ranks until he became Chairman of the Board of Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge (TRW) in 1958.
Category of persons.
WS 107A-1.
Manufacturer's designation for Atlas A test vehicle.
WS 133A.
Alternate designation for Minuteman 1A intercontinental ballistic missile.
WS 133B.
Alternate designation for Minuteman 2 intercontinental ballistic missile.
WS 140A.
Alternate designation for SRAM air-to-surface missile.
WS-104A.
Alternate designation for Navaho G-38 intercontinental cruise missile.
WS-199.
Alternate Designation of Bold Orion air-launched anti-ballistic missile.
WSF.
American materials science satellite. 2 launches, 1995.09.07 (WSF 2) and 1996.11.19 (WSF). Wake Shield Facility; released and later retrieved by the Shuttle in a single mission; semiconductor materials research.
WSMR.
White Sands Missile Range
WSPG.
White Sands Proving Ground
WST.
American visible astronomy satellite. Study 2002. 6 m deep space telescope slated to replace the Hubble Space Telescope from 2010.
WTR.
Western Test Range
Wu ChengKang Chinese Engineer. Specialist in design of heat shields for nuclear warheads and recoverable spacecraft.
Wu Jie (1963-) Chinese pilot taikonaut, 1996-on.
US base in the 1980's for 31 BGM-109G ground-launched cruise missiles. The launchers and missiles were withdrawn and destroyed under the INF Treaty with the Soviet Union.
Wueterich German rocket engineer in WW2. Later worked in France at LRBA in the drafting group of the target acquisition department from 1947-1952.
Wisconsin Ultraviolet PhotoPolarimter Experiment (Astro package)
Wurster, Carl (1907-1985) German expert in rockets during World War II. As of January 1947, living at Regensburg.
Wurster, Hermann German Engineer. Chief pilot at Messerschmitt, technical designer of the surface-to-air missile Enzian.
The base was used by the Army Air Corps under tha names of Loud-Reames Aviation Field (1923-1942) and Oscoda Army Air Field (1942-1951). It was received its current name in 1951 when a he first of a succession of Air Defence Command squadrons were based there. Following runway and hangar improvements, B-52 bomber wings also occupied the base from 1961. In 1973 the Air Force base was closed and the facility began a new life as the public Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport.
WUTC.
American agency. WUTC, USA.
Wuzhai.
Alternate name for Taiyuan launch site.
WWII.
World War II
Wyatt, DeMarquis D (1919-1996) American engineer, at NASA 1944-1973, specialized in supersonic research in propulsion system installations, from 1958 management positions at headquarters.