Abstract

This talk will address complexities of the Saturn V launch vehicle and the Saturn Apollo Space Vehicle, and how the Apollo missions were structured. Time permitting, there will be additional discussion regarding the von Braun team.

Biography

Ron Paulus was a project engineer in NASA’s Saturn V Program Office beginning in 1964. He led development of the Saturn V Configuration Management Program and was heavily involved in defining how to control and manage the technical and management interfaces between the contractors and between the NASA Centers. He received awards from Werner von Braun and from NASA Administrator James Webb for this effort. After the Apollo program concluded, his work continued on Skylab, the Space Shuttle’s solid rocket boosters, and other development work for the Department of Defense. He now presents the Apollo and Skylab Programs as a volunteer NASA Emeritus Docent at the US Space and Rocket Center. He received his BS Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and his commission as US Army 2nd Lt. in 1960.