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Silveira, Milton A
Silveira
Silveira
Credit: NASA
American manager, at NASA 1955-1986. Deputy Administrator, 1981-1983; NASA Chief Engineer, 1983-1986.

Born: 1929-05-04. Died: 2013-07-11.

Milton A. Silveira was a long-time NASA employee, who worked at the agency's Lewis Research Center, 1955-1963; and in the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, 1963-1967. He also served as deputy manager of the orbiter project at the Johnson Space Center, 1967-1981; assistant to the Deputy Administrator at NASA, 1981-1983; and as NASA Chief Engineer, 1983-1986.

NASA MILTON A. SILVEIRA BIOGRAPHICAL DATA SHEET
ORAL HISTORY: 2 OCTOBER 2005 (NACA OHP), 18 APRIL 2006
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
• Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 1951
• Master’s of Science in Aeronautical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 1960
• Post-Graduate work, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 1960
• Post-Graduate work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA, 1960
• Post-Graduate work, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 1966-1968
PRE-NASA EXPERIENCE:
NACA Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory, Hampton, VA (1951)
• Research Intern, Dynamic Loads Division (1951)
United States Army
• 2nd Lieutenant, Ordnance Corp, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD; San Marcos Air
Force Base, TX; Fort Sill, OK, (1951-1952)
• Chief, Engineering Office, Transportation Corp Aviation Office, St. Louis, MO (1952-1954)
• Staff Maintenance Officer, Headquarters 8th United States Army, South Korea (1954-1955)
NACA Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory, Hampton, VA (1955-1958)
• Aerospace Technologist, Vibration and Flutter Branch, Dynamic Loads Division (1955-1958)
NASA EXPERIENCE:
NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA (1958-1963)
• Aerospace Technologist, Vibration and Flutter Branch, Dynamic Loads Division (1958-1961)
• Acting Head, Loads Section, Structures Branch, Space Task Group (1961)
NASA Manned Spacecraft Center/Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (1961-1981)
• Fluid and Flight Mechanics (1961)
• Aerospace Engineer, Loads Section, Structures Branch, Spacecraft Research Division (1961-1963)
• Assistant Branch Chief/Deputy Chief, Aerodynamics Branch, Spacecraft Technology Division (1963-1964)
• Assistant Branch Chief/Deputy Chief, Aerodynamics Branch, Advanced Spacecraft Technology Division (1964-1965)
• Technical Manager/Program Manager, Little Joe II Launch Vehicle (1964-1965)
• Head, Aerodynamics Branch, Advanced Spacecraft Technology Division (1965)
• Head, Flight Performance and Dynamics Branch, Advanced Spacecraft Technology Division (1966-1967)
• Assistant for Special Projects, Engineering and Development Directorate (1967-1968)
• Chief, Engineering Analysis Office, Engineering and Development Directorate (1968-1969)
• Manager, Space Shuttle Engineering Office, Space Shuttle Program Office (1969-1973)
• Manager, Engineering Office, Space Shuttle Orbiter Project Office (1973)
• Deputy Manager, Office of Project Manager, Space Shuttle Orbiter Project Office (1973-1981)
NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC (1981-1986)
• Assistant to NASA Deputy Director (1981-1983)
• NASA Chief Engineer (1983-1986)
AWARDS & CITATIONS:
• NASA Exceptional Service Medal (1969 and 1981)
• Honorary Doctorate of Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT (1977)
• MSC Sustained Superior Performance Award (1964, 1965, 1967, 1969)
• MSC Certificate of Commendation (1972)
• Outstanding Performance Award (1976)
• Federal Engineer Award (1983)
SELECT PUBLICATIONS:
Milton A. Silveira and George W. Brooks, “Dynamic-Model Investigation of the Damping of Flapwise Bending Modes of Two-Blade Rotors in Hovering and a Comparison with Quasi-Static and Unsteady Aerodynamic Theories,” NASA-TN-D-175 (Washington D.C.: NASA Headquarters, 1959): 1-33.
Milton A. Silveira, David G. Stephens, and H. Wayne Leonard, “An Experimental Investigation of the Damping of Liquid Oscillations in Cylindrical Tanks,” NASA-TN-D-715 (Washington D.C.: NASA Headquarters, 1961): 1-32.
Milton A. Silveira and George W. Brooks, “Analytical and Experimental Determination of the Coupled Natural Frequencies and Mode Shapes of a Dynamic Model of a Single Rotor Helicopter, NASA-MEMO-11-5-58L (Washington D.C.: NASA Headquarters, 1958): 1-46.
Milton A. Silveira, Domenic J. Maglieri, and George W. Brooks, “Results of an Experimental Investigation of Small Viscous Dampers,” NACA-TN-4257 (Hampton, Virginia: NACA Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory, 1958).
Milton A. Silveira, “System Integration Considerations for the Space Shuttle,” Proceedings of the Short Course on the Space Shuttle Program (Boulder, Colorado: Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., January 1973), 1-16.
Milton A. Silveira, “The Damping of Flapwise Bending Modes of Two-Blade Rotors in Hovering,” Thesis presented for degree of Masters of Science in Aeronautical Engineering, (University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, June 1959)
Milton A. Silveira and George W. Brooks, “Some Recent Studies in Structural Dynamics of Rotor Aircraft,” NASA-TN D-737 (May 1961).
Milton A. Silveira, David G. Stephens, and H. Wayne Leonard, “An Experimental Investigation of the Damping of Liquid Oscillations in an Oblate Spheroid Tank With and Without Baffles,” D-808 (June 1961).
Milton A. Silveira, Dennis J. Martin, Perry W. Hansen, and Sumiver A. Ledbetter, “Recent Studies of Structural and Aerodynamic Inputs to Missile Dynamic Problems,” AIA Symposium on Structural Dynamics of High Speed Flight, (April 1961).
Milton A. Silveira, “An Investigation of Periodic Forces and Moment Transmitted to the Hub of Four Lifting Rotor Configurations.”
Milton A. Silveira, R. D. Kennedy, R. C. Reid, and G. Strouhal, “Entry Velocity Capability of the Apollo,” Review of Hypervelocity Reentry Research and Technology Conference, (Ames Research Center, Mountain View, CA, May 1967).
Milton A. Silveira and Carl Peterson, “A Space Shuttle Design Consideration,” American Astronautical Society, (Anaheim, CA, June 1970).
Milton A. Silveira and Maxime A. Faget, “Fundamental Design Considerations for an Earth-Surface-to-Orbit Shuttle,” XXI International Congress, (Constance, Germany, October 1970).
Milton A. Silveira, “Structural Design and Fabrication – Key to Space Shuttle Performance and Cost Credibility,” AIAA, (Los Angeles, CA, November 1970).
Milton A. Silveira, “Role of the Mechanical Engineer in the Space Shuttle Program,” 1984 John Orr Lecturer, South African Institution of Mechanical Engineers, (South Africa, March 1984).
Milton A. Silveira, “Safety Requirements for Going Beyond this Planet,” Safety and Health at Work International Conference, (Adelaide, Australia, August 1986).
Milton A. Silveira, Associate Editor and Hans Mark, Editor, Encyclopedia of Space Science and Technology, (John Wiley and Sons, Inc., January 2003).
Milton A. Silveira and Maxime A. Faget, “An Overview of United States Manned Space Flight from Mercury to the Shuttle,” IAF Conference, September 1981).
Milton A. Silveira and Aaron Cohen, “Space Shuttle Orbiter.”
REFERENCES:
“Biographies of Aerospace Officials and Policymakers, O-S,” NASA History Division Homepage, Online, http://history.nasa.gov/bioso-s.html (Last Updated: n.d.; Accessed: 19 August 2005).
“Establishment of Space Shuttle Project Engineering Office,” MSC Announcement 69- 181, 12 December 1969, Box GR1014, MSC Announcements, JSC History Collection, University of Houston-Clear Lake, University Archives, Houston, TX.
Milton A. Silveira NASA Biographical Data Sheet (February 1970), Milton A. Silveira Key Personnel File, Awards Office, NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas.
Milton A. Silveira Service Record Card, Milton A. Silveira Personnel File, Human Resources Office, NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX.
NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Telephone Directories (1973-1998), Organization Files, Center Series, JSC History Collection, University of Houston-Clear Lake, University Archives, Houston, TX.
NASA Manned Spacecraft Center Telephone Directories (1968-1973), Organization Files, Center Series, JSC History Collection, University of Houston-Clear Lake, University Archives, Houston, TX.
“Nomination for Pi Tau Sigma Richards Memorial Award,” Milton A. Silveira Key Personnel File, Awards Office, NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas.
BIOGRAPHICAL DATA SHEET CREATED: 8 SEPTEMBER 2005 UPDATED: 6 SEPTEMBER 2006

Obituary: Dr. Milton Antone Silveira, former Chief Engineer of NASA passed away July 11, 2013, at his residence in McLean, Virginia. He was born May 4, 1929, in Mattapoisett, MA, the son of Carolinda and Antonne Silveira, originally from the Azores. He is survived by his wife Dr. Jane Rogers Silveira and his sons: Leland and wife Larisa, Scott and wife Susan, Douglas, and his daughter Carolyn and husband Bill Krumrey, sisters Evelyn Pursley and Alberta Silveira and stepson Tom Rogers. Also survived by granddaughters: Heather, Sarah, Katie, Kristen, Katya, Taylor; grandsons: Ethan; great grandchildren Wyatt, Taylor, Kenzie and Tatum. He attended Fairhaven High School, graduated from the University of Vermont where he received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and then a M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering, from The University of Virginia. He also attended Virginia Tech and the University of Houston. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science from the University of Vermont in 1977. While at the University of Vermont he was president of the flying club. His love of aeronautics began at age 16 when he acquired his pilot's license. He maintained a long-term association with The University of Vermont by conducting a regular teleconference class for the engineering school, serving on the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences Board, culminating in his establishing the Milton Silveira annual award to a junior faculty member in the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. In June 1951, he joined the National Advisory Committee of Aeronautics (NACA) in Langley, Virginia, the precursor of NASA. In September 1951 he was called to duty as an Army Aviator by the United States Army and later served as the Chief Engineering and Maintenance Officer of all U. S. 8th Army in Korea. In 1955 he returned to NACA, which later became the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. He worked on all USA manned spacecraft programs in pursuit of putting a man on the moon: Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. He was the Program Manager of Little Joe II in support of the Apollo Program and supported the Skylab Program. Later he was Manager of the Space Shuttle Engineering Office and then Deputy Manager of the Orbiter Project Office at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. He left JSC to go to NASA Headquarters becoming the Assistant to the NASA Deputy Director and later NASA Chief Engineer. He retired from NASA after 36 years of service. He received numerous awards and citations during his NASA career. After his NASA career, he worked for Ford Aerospace Corporation in Washington, D. C. He then became a consultant to the Director at the Department of Defense at the Missile Defense Agency. He continued his association with NASA by consulting in support of the NASA Space Exploration Program. His hobbies included serving as a docent at the National Gallery of Art, gourmet cooking, traveling, book club, and playing bridge.

Country: USA. Agency: NASA. Bibliography: 535, 6032.
1929 May 4 - .
2013 July 11 - .
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