John Disher Papers

Collection Overview

Abstract

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Administrative Information

Box and Folder Listing

Series 1: Personal Materials

Sub-Series 1: Correspondence

Box 11

Folder 39: Work correspondence, 1954-1972

Folder 40: Work correspondence, 1973-1980

Folder 41: Congratulatory correspondence, 1964-1978

Folder 42: Fan mail correspondence, 1972-1976

Folder 43: Retirement correspondence, 1980

Folder 44: Correspondence about Indianapolis 500

Folder 45: Miscellaneous personal correspondence, 1945-1982

Sub-Series 2: General

Box 11

Folder 46: Biographical information, 1965 and undated

Folder 47: Sigma Nu documents, 1964, 1969-1970, 1988

Folder 48: Sioux Award, 1974

Folder 49: Awards (Who's Who in Government and 2000 Men of Achievement)

Folder 50: John Disher cartoon

Series 2: National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), 1945-1958

This series consists largely of publications produced by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, or NACA, a NASA predecessor. These date from 1945-1958 and concern contemporary issues in aerodynamic engineering. Some are "research memorandums," which report results of NACA engineering experiments. Documents authored or coauthored by Disher appear first in the series, followed by documents not authored or coauthored by Disher. The series also includes one 1957 pamphlet announcing that year's Florida Conference on High Speed Aerodynamics and Structures and a 1988 brochure announcing a reunion of the participants in Early Flight Icing Research at the NACA Lewis Space Center.

Box 1

Folder 1: Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory Reports, 1945

Folder 2: NACA Research Memorandums, Authored or Co-authored by Disher, 1946-1948

Folder 3: NACA Research Memorandums, Authored or Co-authored by Disher, 1950-1953

Folder 4: NACA Research Memorandums, Authored or Co-authored by Disher, 1954-1955

Folder 5: NACA Research Memorandums, Authored or Co-authored by Disher, 1956-1957

Folder 6: NACA Conference on Supersonic Aerodynamics, Compilation of Papers Presented (One Paper Co- authored by Disher), 1950

Folder 7: "The Hypersonic Boost-Glide Vehicle," Authored by John Disher, (Lecture Notes for Graduate Study Course), 1957

Folder 8: "Long Range Hypervelocity Vehicles", Authored by John Disher, (Lecture Notes for Graduate Study Course), 1957

Folder 9: NACA Research Memorandums, Not Authored or Co- authored by Disher, 1949-1952

Folder 10: NACA Research Memorandums, Not Authored or Co- authored by Disher, 1952-1955

Folder 11: NACA Research Memorandum, Not Authored or Co- authored by Disher, 1956

Folder 12: NACA Research Memorandums, Not Authored or Co- authored by Disher, 1957-1958

Folder 13: Florida Conference on High Speed Aerodynamics & Structures, 1957

Folder 14: "Reunion of Participants in Early Flight Icing Research at NACA-Lewis," 1988

Box 9

Folder 1: "Notes on Space Technology," NACA Flight Research Division, Langley Field, 1958

Series 3: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), 1958-1989

This series documents Disher's career at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1958-1980. The series has been divided into distinct subseries that reflect the various stages of this career.

Sub-Series 1: Early Manned Space Flight (Mercury and Apollo)

This subseries documents Disher's activities at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1958-1965. During these years, Disher played an important role in the development of both the Mercury and Apollo programs. Subseries materials include correspondence, research notes and memorandums, reports, organizational charts, equipment designs and financial information. Subject matter includes long-range planning within NASA and reactions to contemporary space program events, such as astronauts' orbital missions. Long-range planning included discussions of projected events such as a moon landing and a manned space station. NASA organizational structure, funding and personnel issues are also represented in the documentation.

Box 1

Folder 15: NASA Technical Notes and Memorandums, Not Authored or Co-authored by Disher, 1958-1961

Folder 16: Correspondence, 1958-1964

Folder 17: Manned Space Flight-tables, charts, graphs, 1958- 1973 and undated

Folder 18: "Manned Space Flight," by John Disher and George Low; Manned Space Flight: Long Range Plans"; 1959

Folder 19: Space Task Group, Canadian Personnel, 1959

Folder 20: Mercury, Gemini and Apollo - Funding and Costs, 1959-1973

Folder 21: Manned Space Flight Program, Accelerated Plan, 1960

Folder 22: Manned Space Flight-overhead charts, 1960

Folder 23: Estimated Flight Schedules - Mercury and Apollo, 1960 and 1961

Folder 24: Space Development Program, 1961

Folder 25: Recommendations for NASA Manned Space Flight Program, 1961

Folder 26: Management Council of the Office of Manned Space Flight, Meeting Minutes, 1962, 1966

Folder 27: Nova Design Study Proposals, 1962

Folder 28: "Rendezvous Modes for Apollo Mission," 1962

Folder 29: Project Apollo, Lunar Landing Feasibility Study, 1962

Folder 30: Project Apollo Lunar Excursion Module, 1962

Folder 31: Project Apollo, Source Evaluation Board Report, 1962

Folder 32: Project Apollo, Assessment of Lunar Orbit and Rendezvous, 1962 and undated

Folder 33: Newsletter - "NASA Roundup," 1962

Folder 34: "Definitions of Reliability Terms," 1962

Folder 35: "NASA Current News," 1963

Folder 36: "The Effect of Meteoroid Flux Velocity Distribution on Design of Spacecraft Meteoroid Protection Systems," 1963

Folder 37: Apollo Comparative Development Cycles, 1964

Folder 38: John Disher Interview by NBC Correspondent Peter Hackes, 1964, 1971

Folder 39: Symposium - Apollo in Its Historical Context, 1989

Box 9

Folder 2: NASA Budget Briefing, 1961

Folder 3: "A Feasible Approach for an Early Manned Lunar Landing, 1961

Folder 4: Apollo Program Review, 1962

Folder 5: Apollo Mission Briefs, Program Summary Edition, 1973

Folder 7: Apollo Program Phasing, 1961

Folder 8: Mercury and Apollo Program, 1961

Folder 9: Speech given at ARS meeting about Apollo, 1961

Folder 10: Spring 1961 (Apollo)

Folder 11: Apollo figures, slide numbers, and Holme's presentation, 1962

Folder 12: Statement of work about Project Apollo, 1962

Folder 13: Major test planning documentation including Apollo, 1964

Folder 14: Apollo Program Management Meeting at Myrtle Beach, 1965

Folder 15: Lunar Landing Training Vehicle, 1968

Folder 16: Apollo Applications Program Technical Summary, 1969

Folder 17: Apollo - "Experiment General Specification for Hardware Development," 1969

Folder 18: Publications of Apollo 8, 11, and 17 and "Mission to the Moon," 1968-1973 and undated

Folder 19: Statement by Dr. Thomas Paine for Apollo 13 Review Board Press Conference, 1970

Folder 20: Apollo 4 guest launch control center badge, undated

Folder 21: General Scope of Apollo Test Effort (2 drafts), undated

Folder 22: "Ground Installations for Development Qualification and Checkout testing of the Apollo Space Vehicle" by Disher, undated

Folder 23: "The Impact of the Apollo Applications Program on Space Station Engineering - An Overview," undated

Sub-Series 2: Notebooks/Journals

In 1959, Disher began keeping notes of meetings with other NASA officials. By 1964, these evolved into full-fledged journals, with daily entries by Disher recording meetings and other NASA activities and his thoughts on those activities. In some places, Disher made notes about equipment or engineering concerns and drew diagrams to illustrate his thoughts. The journals continue until 1980, spanning Disher's entire career at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Box 1

Folder 40: Notes, Loose, 1958-1962

Folder 41: Notes, 1959

Folder 42: Notes, 1959-1960

Folder 43: Notes, 1960

Folder 44: Notes, January-June 1961

Folder 45: Notes, July 1961-June 1962

Folder 46: Journals, June 1964-May 1965

Folder 47: Journals, June 1965-November 1966

Box 2

Folder 1: Journals, November 1966-May 1968

Folder 2: Journals, May 1968-September 1969

Folder 3: Journals, January 1970-April 1973

Folder 4: Journals, May 1973-November 1974

Folder 5: Journals, November 1974-February 1977

Folder 6: Journals, July 1978-September 1979

Sub-Series 3: Appointment Calendars

Along with his notebooks and journals, Disher's appointment calendars provide a daily record of his activities at NASA. These record Disher's scheduled appointments during his entire tenure with NASA, 1959-1980.

Box 2

Folder 7: Appointment Calendars, 1959, 1963-1964

Folder 8: Appointment Calendars, 1965-1967

Folder 9: Appointment Calendars, 1968-1969

Folder 10: Appointment Calendars, 1970-1972

Folder 11: Appointment Calendars, 1973

Folder 12: Appointment Calendars, 1974-1975

Folder 13: Appointment Calendars, 1976-1977

Folder 14: Appointment Calendars, 1978

Box 3

Folder 1: Appointment Calendars, 1979

Folder 2: Appointment Calendars, 1980

Sub-Series 4: Speeches by Disher

Materials in this subseries pertain to speeches given by Disher during the years 1961-1980. Items include Disher's notes, outlines and written copies of his speeches, pamphlets and flyers announcing the presentations and some correspondence. Files are organized chronologically with the location of the speech and the host organization indicated. In some cases, a prepared copy of Disher's speech is present, but in other cases, Disher spoke strictly from notes or an outline. Generally, Disher's speeches concerned the NASA programs with which he was involved, including Apollo and Skylab. He often reviewed the history of these programs and discussed their current and projected status.

Box 3

Folder 3: Lists of Addresses and Papers Presented by John Disher in 1950-1974 [Lists dated 1965, 1971 and 1974]

Folder 4: Unmanned Spacecraft Panel, Location Not Noted, December 7, 1961

Folder 5: Western Space Age Industry and Engineering Exposition and Conferences, San Francisco, CA April 27, 1962

Folder 6: National Association of Manufacturers, New York, NY, September 11, 1962

Folder 7: American Society of Safety Engineers, Chicago, IL, October 29, 1962

Folder 8: Cleveland Engineering Society, Cleveland, OH, January 10, 1963

Folder 9: Hartford Engineers Club, Hartford, CT, February 21, 1963

Folder 10: Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), Bethesda, MD, March 25, 1963

Folder 11: National Lime Association, Las Vegas, NV, April 3, 1963

Folder 12: Armed Services Day Celebration, Terre Haute, IN, May 13, 1963

Folder 13: Williston Academy, Easthampton, MA, June 8, 1963

Folder 14: North Dakota Science Teachers Association, Bismarck, ND, October 17, 1963

Folder 15: North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, May 1, 1964

Folder 16: Aerospace Writers Association, Kennedy Space Center, FL, May 27, 1964

Folder 17: Minnesota Society of Professional Engineers, White Bear Lake, MN, November 19, 1964

Folder 18: Founders Day, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, February 26, 1965

Folder 19: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Seattle, WA, March 9, 1965

Folder 20: International Astronautical Federation Congress, Athens, Greece, September 13-18, 1965

Folder 21: National Woodwork Manufacturers Association, February 9, 1966

Folder 22: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, St. Louis, MO, February 10, 1966

Folder 23: National Security Industrial Association, Washington, D.C., March 24, 1966

Folder 24: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Cape Canaveral Section, Cocoa Beach, FL, March 29,1966

Folder 25: Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, Ft. Monmouth, NJ, November 17, 1966

Folder 26: Society of Aerospace Material and Process Engineers, St. Louis, MO, April 19, 1967

Folder 27: Point-of-Purchase Advertising Institute, Mont Gabriel, Canada, June 6, 1967

Folder 28: Minnesota Society of Professional Engineers Annual Assembly, Brainerd, MN, June 24,1967

Folder 29: Fireman’s Association of New York, Albany, NY, August 21, 1967

Folder 30: Illinois Elementary School Principals Association, Peoria, IL, October 26, 1967

Folder 31: American Institute of Design and Drafting, Miami Beach, FL, January 25, 1968

Folder 32: Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, Boca Raton, FL, April 3, 1968

Folder 33: Area Power Conference, Grand Forks, ND, November 7, 1968

Folder 34: National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., December 4, 1968

Folder 35: Southeastern Seminar on Government Contracts and Procurement Law, Atlanta, GA, February 7, 1969

Folder 36: Greater North Dakota Association, Jamestown, ND, March 28, 1969

Folder 37: Svenskarnas Day Talk, Minneapolis, MN, June 22, 1969

Folder 38: Greater North Dakota Association, Grand Forks, ND, October 26, 1969

Folder 39: Society of Automotive Engineers, Portland, OR, January 15, 1970

Folder 40: National Industrial Sand Association, White Sulfur Springs, WV, October 16, 1970

Folder 41: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Houston, TX, October 20, 1970

Folder 42: Martin Marietta Corporation, Denver, OC, January 15, 1971

Folder 43: Red River Valley Farm-n-Home Forum, Grand Forks, ND, January 21, 1971

Folder 44: Aeronautical and Space Engineering Board, Location Not Noted, March 31, 1971

Folder 45: Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort McNair, April 22, 1971

Folder 46: International Astronautical Congress, Brussels, Belgium, September 22, 1971

Folder 47: American Chemical Society, San Antonio, TX, December 2, 1971

Folder 48: "Skylab Communications System," American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Washington, D.C., April 24-26, 1972

Folder 49: "Skylab Presentation to Senator Weicker and Prominent Connecticut Businessmen," Location Not Noted, May 10, 1972

Folder 50: National Academy of Sciences, Space Science Board, Washington, D.C., February 8, 1973

Folder 51: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Washington, D.C., December 14, 1973

Folder 52: American Astronautical Society, Location Not Noted, March 8, 1974

Folder 53: Eleventh Space Congress, Cocoa Beach, FL, April 17-19, 1974

Folder 54: International Astronautical Federation, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, September 30-October 5, 1974

Folder 55: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, November 6-8, 1974

Folder 56: Address on Skylab, Unidentified, Undated

Folder 57: Boy Scouts, Glen Falls, NY, 1975

Folder 58: Aeronautical Space and Engineering Board, Location Not Noted, June 26, 1975

Folder 59: Statement of John Disher Before the U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C., U.S. Fiscal Year 1976

Folder 60: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics/Manned Space Flight Center Symposium, Location not Noted, May 27-18, 1976

Folder 61: Space Technology Seminar, Washington, D.C., September 24, 1976

Folder 62: "Solar Energy in the 20th Century" Symposium, Denver, CO, February 22, 1977

Folder 63: Career Development Seminar, NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C., April 13, 1977

Folder 64: Advanced Programs Discussions, European Space Agency and NASA, Location Not Noted, June 13,1977

Folder 65: International Astronautical Federation Congress, Prague, Czechoslovakia, October 1, 1977

Folder 66: European Space Agency/Director General and NASA/Administrator, Paris, France, October 7, 1977

Folder 67: Large Space Systems Technology, Intercenter Meeting, NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C., November 29-30, 1977

Folder 68: American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Location Not Given, January 19, 1978

Folder 69: NASA-European Space Agency Imaginator’s Briefing, Paris, France, June 5, 1978

Folder 70: 8th Intersociety Conference of Environmental Systems, San Diego, CA, July 10, 1978

Folder 71: Engineering Colloquium, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, October 23, 1978

Folder 72: 17th Goddard Memorial Symposium, Washington D.C., March 27, 1979

Folder 73: "AAS Talk," Location Unidentified, January 22, 1980

Sub-Series 5: Apollo Applications/Skylab

In 1965, Disher was appointed Deputy Director of the Apollo Applications Program, which evolved into the Skylab program. Disher served as Deputy Director of Skylab until 1974, when he was promoted to Director of Advanced Programs, Manned Space Flight.  Skylab, launched in 1973, was the first manned space station. Three visits to Skylab were completed in 1973-1974. All were made by three-man teams, who conducted a variety of scientific experiments on the station. Ironically, the greatest scientific achievements of Skylab resulted from a mishap that occurred during launch. In his 1984 paper, Disher explains that "the meteoroid shield ... failed and in turn damaged the large solar power arrays. On attaining orbit, [Skylab] was badly heating without its protective sunshade (a second function of the meteoroid shield) and was operating at only a fraction of its electric power." Scientific knowledge resulted from the repair process, which often required astronauts to work in zero gravity.

This sub-series includes essays and magazine articles written by John Disher and others, correspondence, newspaper clippings, transcripts of press conferences and Skylab crew debriefings, pamphlets, reports, NASA publicity photos and financial information. These materials document the three Skylab missions, detailing both the missions themselves and the repair process. Other subjects include the Skylab Student Project, which NASA developed jointly with the National Science Teachers’ Association. The project was a contest among American high school students, who proposed experiments to conduct on Skylab. There are also folders on the proposed Apollo Telescope Mount and on a visit to NASA by Japanese officials in 1972.

Box 3

Folder 74: Correspondence, 1966-1972

Folder 75: Unidentified Equipment Design, 1966

Folder 76: "Apollo Telescope Mount Still go for 1968", 1967

Folder 77: Apollo Applications Reliability and Quality Assurance Program Plan, 1967

Folder 78: "Man in the Operational Aspects of Space Missions," by Charles W. Mathews, 1967

Folder 79: NASA Program Management, 1968 and undated

Folder 80: "The Role of Systems Engineering Within Manned Space Flight Programs," undated

Folder 81: Apollo Organization and Development, 1969

Folder 82: Photographs, 1969, 1972 and undated

Folder 83: Skylab Photographs and Charts, 1970-1971

Folder 84: Skylab Photographs, 1972-1974 and undated

Folder 85: NASA Pocket Statistics, 1970

Folder 86: Tour of European Facilities, 1971

Folder 87: "Testing of the Apollo Space Vehicle," by John Disher, undated

Folder 88: Astronautics and Aeronautics, Skylab Issue, Includes Article Co-authored by John Disher, 1971

Folder 89: Booklets on Skylab by McDonnell Douglas and Martin Marietta Corporations, 1971-1972

Folder 90: Japanese Visitors to NASA Headquarters, 1972

Folder 91: Skylab Student Project, 1972, 1974

Folder 92: Skylab Phone Numbers, February, 1973

Folder 93: "Skylab Experiments," May, 1973

Box 4

Folder 1: Skylab Experiment Selection Process, undated

Folder 2: "Decision Made to Install a Sunshade on Orbiting Skylab," Statement by Disher, 1973

Folder 3: Skylab Briefing to Kenneth Dam, May 8, 1973

Folder 4: Loose Notes, May 14-18, 1973

Folder 5: Skylab Press Conferences and Status Briefings, May 14-22, 1973

Folder 6: Newspaper Clipping - "Blastoff Date for Astronauts Now May 25," May 18, 1973

Folder 7: "Skylab Status to Dr. Fletcher," June 4, 1973

Folder 8: "NASA Investigation Board Report on the Initial Flight Anomalies of Skylab I on May 14, 1973," July 13, 1973

Folder 9: Skylab Briefing to Administrator, July 24, 1973

Folder 10: Skylab General Status Briefing for Dr. Low, August 27, 1973

Folder 11: Skylab 3 Crew Debriefing, October 3, 1973

Folder 12: NASA Skylab Honor Awards Ceremony, October 23, 1973

Folder 13: NASA Mission Report, The First Skylab Mission, undated

Folder 14: Astronautics and Aeronautics - Articles on Skylab I and Skylab II, 1973-1974

Folder 15: "A Booklet to Commemorate the Unsung Heroes of Skylab I," undated

Folder 16: Pamphlet - "Skylab 4," 1973

Folder 17: Skylab 4 Crew Debriefing, February 22, 1974

Folder 18: "Skylab Areas of Interest," 1974

Folder 19: "Lessons Learned on the Skylab Program," February 1974

Folder 20: "Lessons Learned on the Skylab Program", March-April 1974

Folder 21: "Lessons Learned on the Skylab Program," July 1974

Folder 22: "Lessons Learned on the Skylab Program," September 1974

Folder 23: Skylab Experience Bulletin #6, Space Garments, 1974

Folder 24: Skylab Experience Bulletin #8, Waste Management, 1974

Folder 25: Skylab Experience Bulletin #14, Hygiene Equipment, 1975

Folder 26: "Skylab Program Summary" Lecture Admission ticket, March 1974

Folder 27: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics - Skylab Honors Banquet, April 1974

Folder 28: Skylab System Safety Checklist, May 1974

Folder 29: OOS/Space Tug Press Briefing, June 1974

Folder 30: "Skylab Experiment M487 Habitability/Crew Quarters," August 1974

Folder 31: Skylab Food Systems, October 1974

Folder 32: "Skylab Report: Man's Role in Space Research," Science, 1974

Folder 33: List of Disher Publications, 1945-1957, 1974

Folder 34: Skylab Group Achievement Awards, 1975

Folder 35: Skylab Costs, 1976

Folder 36: Skylab - Applied Optics, 1977

Folder 37: Skylab Technology, 1981

Folder 38: Workshop on Skylab, 1983

Folder 39: "The Skylab Story," 1984

Folder 40: "Skylab and Apollo-Soyuz," 1986

Folder 41: Fifteenth anniversary of the launch of Skylab, 1987

Folder 42: Conference - Skylab Revisited, 1988

Folder 43: "Skylab: Its Anguish and Triumph - A Memoir" by Jesco Von Puttkamer, undated

Folder 44: Skylab Paper, undated

Folder 45: Skylab Notes, undated

Box 9

Folder 6: Skylab Mission Report, First Visit, 1973

Folder 24: Skylab informational handout, 1970

Folder 25: Skylab program plans by Disher, 1970

Folder 26: Skylab program-technical summary, 1970

Folder 27: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) 4th Communications conference presentation by Disher – "The Skylab Communications System," 1972

Folder 28: Collier trophy presented to Skylab, 1973

Folder 29: AIAA citation to Disher (Skylab Deputy Director) for contribution to aeronautics and astronautics, 1974

Folder 30: Skylab progress report conference agenda, 1974

Folder 31: Interview of Disher about Skylab history, 1975

Folder 32: Award nomination forms for Skylab, 1964 and 1980

Folder 33: Costs and Obligations for Skylab and Mercury, undated

Folder 34: Notes about Skylab, undated

Folder 35: Skylab exceptional service medal categories

Sub-Series 6: Advanced Programs, Office of Manned Space Flight

Disher was named Director of Advanced Programs, Office of Manned Space Flight in March 1974. A NASA news release states that Advanced Programs "continuously analyzes and evaluates concepts for manned space activities, defining their benefits, and determining costs and technical feasibility as they relate to changing national needs and priorities." Items in this subseries include correspondence, reports, NASA newsletters, papers written by Disher and others, financial records and presentation and briefing materials. The subseries documents the planning and beginning developments of projects such as the space shuttle, a permanent manned space station and a space platform. The latter was a proposed structure in space useful for several purposes, including space manufacturing and construction, automated satellite retrieval and scientific experimentation.

Box 4

Folder 46: "Manned Space Stations - A Perspective," by John Disher, undated

Folder 47: NASA’s Management Concept for the Space Shuttle Program, 1973

Folder 48: Disher Named Director of Advanced Programs (Press Release), 1974

Folder 49: NASA Source Evaluation Board Manual, 1975

Folder 50: Newsletter - "NASA Activities," 1976, 1978

Folder 51: NASA Pocket Statistics, 1976, 1979-1980

Folder 52: "Outlook for Space: A Synopsis," 1976

Folder 53: Assessment of "Elongated Satellites as Adjuncts to Rocketry," 1976

Folder 54: NASA Booklet on the Space Shuttle, 1976

Folder 55: Program Requirements Document for Space Shuttle Food System, 1976

Folder 56: Space Shuttle Orbital Operations Capability Development, 1976

Folder 57: "Advanced Programs," 1977

Folder 58: Space Platform Plans and Projections, Workshop on Solar-Terrestrial Studies, Utah State University, 1977

Folder 59: Office of Space Flight Five Year Plan, 1977

Folder 60: Advanced Programs, New Initiatives, Presented to Office of Space Flight Management Council, 1977

Folder 61: Space Systems Engineering, Presented to NASA Advisory Council, 1977

Folder 62: Space Transportation System - User Handbook, 1977

Folder 63: Briefing to Dr. Nagle, 1977

Folder 64: Space Systems Engineering, Five Year Plan, 1978

Folder 65: "Next Steps in Space Transportation," by John Disher, 1978

Folder 66: "Space Shuttle Food Service Program," 1978

Folder 67: "Performance and Cost Analysis for an SSTO and OTV Heavy Cargo Transportation System Geosynchronous Orbit" by Dietrich Koelle, 1978

Folder 68: Office of Space Transportation Systems, Advanced Studies Program, 1978

Folder 69: "Transition from the Space Shuttle to Space Transportation," AIAA Paper, 1979

Folder 70: "Science and Applications Platform, Report to the Management Council," 1979

Folder 71: Space Systems Engineering, Five Year Plan, 1979

Folder 72: Ten Year Planning Considerations for John Disher, 1979

Folder 73: Safety, Reliability, Maintainability and Quality Provisions for the Space Shuttle Program, 1979

Folder 74: 30th International Astronautical Congress, List of Participants, 1979

Folder 75: Glossary of Terms in Design of Chemical Propulsion Systems, 1979

Folder 76: "Aboard the Space Shuttle," 1980

Folder 77: "Microbial Contamination Control Plan for Orbital Flight Test Missions," 1980

Folder 78: Scout Planning Guide, Vought Corporation, 1980

Folder 79: "Project Reviews: A Survey and Some Recommendations," undated

Folder 80: Photo - "Crew for Space Shuttle Mission 51-C," undated

Folder 81: Unidentified Photographs, undated

Folder 82: Correspondence, Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique, Paris, France, 1979

Folder 83: "Launch Vehicle Estimating Factors for Advance Mission Planning," 1973

Sub-Series 7: Shuttle-Launched Research Vehicle (SLRV)

Box 9

Folder 36: Draft of SLRV with changes, 1980

Folder 37: Phase 'A' final review of SLRV Applications and Cost-Benefits Study, 1981

Folder 38: Section 7 of SLRV original written draft, 1981

Folder 39: Section 7.7 Specific Cost-Benefits Companion for SLRV, 1981

Folder 40: SLRV Resource Requirements and Program Options Presentation, 1981

Folder 41: Exhibit "A" statement for a cost-benefit input SLRV program, undated

Folder 42: Expendable Launched RV, Observations and Pros and Cons of SLRV, undated

Sub-Series 8: Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program (HBS-AMP)

Box 10

Folder 6: Noncredit Graduate Study Course Lectures by George Low, 1956-1958

Folder 7: Noncredit Graduate Study Course Lectures by Disher, 1957-1958

Folder 8: 57th AMP classmate correspondence, 1969-1973

Folder 9: 57th AMP classmate correspondence, 1974-1984

Folder 10: Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program directory, 1969

Folder 11: Presentation by Disher to 57th AMP Harvard Business School, 1969

Folder 12: HBS Bulletin, 1972-1976, 1978-1979, 1984, 1986

Folder 13: Invitations to shuttle launch from 57th AMP, 1976

Folder 14: 57th AMP invitations to Skylab Launch and responses, 1976

Folder 15: HBS Association Executive Council documents, 1979

Folder 16: Correspondence about 57th AMP reunion/seminar, 1985

Folder 17: Investment Plan Seminar notes at 57th AMP reunion/seminar, 1985

Folder 18: Disher's consulting speech at 57th AMP reunion/seminar, 1985

Folder 19: 57th AMP consultants, 1986

Sub-Series 9: Publications and Press Releases

Box 9

Folder 43: List of papers by Disher

Folder 44: Aerospace and Aeronautics - Articles by Disher, 1978-1979

Folder 45: Presentation by Disher while director of Advanced Programs, 1978-1979

Folder 46: "Space Industrialization" - Keynote Address by Disher, 1976

Folder 47: "Manned Space Stations – A perspective" by Disher

Folder 48: Miscellaneous Publications and Presentations, 1969-1980

Box 10

Folder 1: Space News Roundup, 1961-1963

Folder 2: Press releases, 1960-1980

Folder 3: Newspaper articles, 1958-1979 and undated

Folder 4: NASA Public Affairs Contacts

Folder 5: NASA Headquarters "Manned Space Flight" Press Briefing, 1970

Sub-Series 10: Organizations

Box 10

Folder 20: Presentations by Disher given at International Astronautical Congress (IAF) meetings

Folder 21: IAF XXVII Convention Materials, 1977

Folder 22: IAF published materials, 1977

Folder 23: IAF XXIX and XXX Congresses - Lists of Participants, 1978-1979

Folder 24: Registration form for XXX IAF Congress, 1979

Folder 25: IAF correspondence, 1979-1980

Folder 26: Call for papers for International Astronautical Federation, 1977-1980

Folder 27: Abstracts of Papers for IAF Congress, 1980

Folder 28: IAF Program and other books, 1978

Folder 29: IAF draft on space power supplies

Folder 30: Committee on Space Economics and Benefits of IAF Report, 1979

Folder 31: Working Group II on Satellite Communications for IAF, 1980

Folder 32: Report of the President for 1978-1979 for International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), 1979

Folder 33: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Space Systems committee documents

Folder 34: European Space Agency (ESA) correspondence, agendas, and meeting notes, 1976-1979

Folder 35: Conferences and meeting materials, 1977-1980

Sub-Series 11: General

Box 10

Folder 36: 16" Ram Jet Flight Operations

Folder 37: Bearing Know How - A training program for all users

Folder 38: Books of tables

Folder 39: Charts and graphs

Folder 40: Cost Entry Basis and Rationale

Folder 41: Documents about Japanese Study Team, 1972

Folder 42: Engineering properties of metals, 1943-1953

Folder 43: Epcot Center correspondence and information

Folder 44: The European Spacelab Module as Element of the Space Operation Center by Aeritalia, 1981

Folder 45: Fuel Metering Draft

Folder 46: Imaginators working group materials

Folder 47: Information about WEPZA (World Export Processing Zones Association), 1985

Box 11

Folder 1: Lewis Air Launch Program Documents, 1951-1970

Folder 2: Materials from Warren Boardman and Associates, 1980

Folder 3: Mercury-Atlas Project, 1957

Folder 4: Miscellaneous books

Folder 5: Miscellaneous publications about space and space related topics

Folder 6: Miscellaneous Work Documents

Folder 7: NACA inspection, 1957

Folder 8: NASA Decals

Folder 9: NASA Patches

Folder 10: NASA Payroll Information

Folder 11: Notes from French space official visit, 1977

Folder 12: Physics notes

Folder 13: Questions and Answers about TPS for OV-102, 1981

Folder 14: Record of daily logs, jobs, and work status, 1948-1957

Folder 15: "Saturn" VIP badge

Folder 16: Shuttle Operations Base Year Escalation/De-escalation Guidelines, 1980

Folder 17: Shuttle TPS RSI discussions

Folder 18: Space Industrialization notes

Folder 19: Space Systems Engineering FY 1982-1991 Ten Year Plan, 1980

Folder 20: Strength of Metal Aircraft Elements

Series 4: Avanti Systems, 1980-1989

Disher formed Avanti Systems, his aerospace consulting firm, upon his retirement from NASA in 1980. This series documents his professional consulting activities from 1980 until his death in 1988.

Sub-Series 1: General

Box 5

Folder 1: General Correspondence, 1982-1989

Folder 2: Resume - John Disher, (Dates from 1984 or 1985)

Folder 3: Notes - Handwritten, Loose, 1986 and undated

Folder 4: Letter by John Disher to Aviation Week and Space Technology Regarding James Beggs, 1987

Folder 5: Disher Interview by Cosmos Club, 1987

Box 11

Folder 21: Phone numbers and addresses for AVANTI

Folder 22: Blank Consulting Agreements for AVANTI

Folder 23: Contract outline

Folder 24: Legal Documents

Folder 31: AVANTI Consulting correspondence, 1981-1983

Folder 35: ANSER application by Disher, 1984

Folder 36: Discussions with Ernesto, 1981

Folder 37: Money notes

Folder 38: Miscellaneous work notes

Sub-Series 2: Italian National Space Plan

From July 1981 to June 1982, John Disher resided in Rome, Italy, working under contract with the Italian government’s CNR/PSN (In English, the acronym translates as "Council of National Research/National Space Plan"). CNR/PSN hired him to work on the Tethered Satellite System, or TSS, a project jointly developed with NASA. Tethered satellites were designed to be launched from a space shuttle and remain attached to it for the purpose of scientific experimentation. Subseries items include correspondence, reports, meeting minutes, outlines of presentations, handwritten and typed notes and newspaper clippings. Some professional papers on potential applications of tethered satellite systems are included as well.

Box 5

Folder 6: Italian National Space Plan, undated

Folder 7: Correspondence, Tethered Satellite System, 1980-1982

Folder 8: U.S./Italian Discussions on Tethered Satellite System, 1980

Folder 9: "Electrical Behavior of a Shuttle Electrodynamic Tether System," 1981

Folder 10: Notes on Tethered Satellite System, 1981

Folder 11: Italian Visit to U.S., 1981

Folder 12: "Tether Management," 1981

Folder 13: Memorandum of Understanding Between the National Research Council of Italy and NASA, 1981

Folder 14: Tethered Satellite System Generator of DC Electric Power, 1981

Folder 15: Tethered Satellite System Briefing to the NASA Deputy Administrator, 1981

Folder 16: Tethered Satellite System Project Overview Briefing, 1981

Folder 17: Tethered Satellite System, Active vs. Passive Assessment, 1981-1982

Folder 18: "Notes for USA Visit, AIT," 1981-1982

Folder 19: "An Alternative Configuration of the Electrodynamic Tether Experiment," 1982

Folder 20: "NASA Issues Request for Proposals on Tethered Satellite Contract," 1982

Folder 21: Minutes - PSN/CNR and NASA Planning Meetings on Tethered Satellite Program, 1982

Folder 22: NASA Space Station and Tether Funding Plan, 1982

Folder 23: "Tethered Satellite System, A Cooperative Project - USA and Italy," (Stickers), undated

Folder 24: Applications of Tethers in Space Workshop, 1983

Folder 25: "Aeritalia for Tethered Satellite System Present and Future Applications," undated

Folder 26: International Conference on Tethers in Space, 1986

Folder 27: International Conference on Tethers in Space, 1986 (Continued)

Folder 28: Third International Conference on Tethers in Space, 1989

Folder 29: Fourth International Conference on Tethers in Space - Call for Papers, 1990

Folder 30: Tethers in Space Handbook, 1989

Folder 31: Newspaper Clippings on Tethered Satellite System, 1992

Sub-Series 3: General Consulting and Engineering

General Consulting and Engineering, an Italian engineering consulting firm, hired Disher to assist them on a contract with the Italian CNR/PSN. This contract involved technical and management assistance to CNR/PSN for the Lageos 2 satellite project. The Lageos 2 satellite was launched into orbit by the Italian Research Interim Stage, or IRIS, an Italian CNR/PSN space program developed to oversee satellite missions. The first Lageos satellite was launched by United States in 1976. Its purpose was to measure the movements of the earth's crust and rotation. In 1982, NASA and CNR/PSN established a joint study group to consider the potential benefits of a second Lageos satellite. The group highly recommended such a satellite, feeling that much additional information on the earth and its rotation could be obtained. Materials in the sub-series date from 1981-1983 and include reports of the NASA/PSN study group, Disher's reports to and correspondence with General Consulting and Engineering and a CNR/PSN document explaining IRIS.

Box 5

Folder 32: "International Cooperation in Manned Space Flight, Next Steps" by John Disher, Paper Presented at Riena, Atti 22 Convegno Int.le Sullo Spazio, Roma, 1982

Folder 33: Papers on the IRIS System and Satellites, Presented at Riena, Atti 22 Convegno It.le Sullo Spazio, Roma, 1982

Folder 34: IRIS System, 1981-1982

Folder 35: IRIS Performance and Lageos Weights, 1982

Folder 36: Lageos Satellite, 1983

Folder 37: Lageos Satellite, 1983 (Continued)

Folder 38: General Consulting and Engineering, undated

Folder 39: European Space Agency Satellite Photo, undated

Sub-Series 4: Aeritalia

Aeritalia, an Italian aerospace company, contracted Disher to work on Project Columbus in 1983. Project Columbus was a planned European Space Agency (ESA) contribution to the proposed international manned space station, which was then being developed under U.S. leadership. The name "Columbus" was a reference to the scheduled launch date of 1992, five hundred years after Christopher Columbus's initial voyage to North America.

Project Columbus was derived from an earlier NASA/ESA collaboration known as Spacelab. Spacelab was a scientific research center inside a space shuttle orbiter cargo bay. Unlike the earlier Skylab, Spacelab could return to Earth after each mission. With Columbus, ESA hoped to improve on Spacelab with "free-flying, autonomous elements which can either be docked to the planned American space station or deployed independently for extended missions in near-earth orbits." (Press release, Box 5, Folder 48). The materials include articles and publications, papers, presentation outlines and written notes by Disher. Information pertaining to both Spacelab and Columbus is present.

Box 5

Folder 40: "Spacelab Follow-On Development Programme, Phase B Results," 1981

Folder 41: "Spacelab: The First Results" New Scientist August 23, 1984

Folder 42: "Spacelab One, Lessons Learned," 1984

Folder 43: "At Work in Space: Lessons Learned in Integrating Scientific and Applications Experiments in the Spacelab and Experiments Processing Division, Cargo Management, Kennedy Space Center," by P.R. Elfrey, 1985

Folder 44: "Spacelab-J Mission Complement, Review for Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications," NASA Headquarters, 1985

Folder 45: Spacelab Mission I Experiment Descriptions, 1986

Folder 46: "Spacelab," Aeritalia Pamphlet, undated

Folder 47: General Comments on Spacelab, undated

Folder 48: Project Columbus, 1983-1984

Folder 49: International Symposium - "Towards Columbus and Space Station," 1985

Box 11

Folder 25: External Support Activities Contract with Aeritalia

Folder 26: Consulting Agreement with Aeritalia

Sub-Series 5: LeRoy E. Day and Associates

LeRoy Day and Associates, an aerospace consulting firm, hired Disher in 1985. Disher was to assist in completing a contract for the Japanese company Nissho Iwai, who had in turn been contracted by NASA for work on a manned space station habitability module.  This subseries includes correspondence, reports, papers, Disher's handwritten notes and newspaper clippings. Many materials pertain to life support systems in space and concern matters such as astronaut food and hygiene. Some items, such as NASA Research Animal Holding Facility reports, document previous life sciences research.

Box 5

Folder 50: Nissho Iwai Corporation, 1985-1986

Folder 51: LeRoy E. Day and Associates/Nissho Iwai Consulting Project, Correspondence, 1985-1988

Folder 52: Leroy E. Day and Associates/Nissho Iwai Consulting Project, Notes - Loose, Handwritten, 1985-1988

Folder 53: Newspaper Clippings on Space Food, 1985-1988

Folder 54: Articles on Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Analysis, 1981, 1986

Folder 55: Oxygen Atom Reaction with Shuttle Materials at Orbital Altitudes, 1982

Folder 56: Life Sciences Considerations for Space Station, 1982

Folder 57: Johnson Space Center Contamination Control Requirements Manual, 1982

Folder 58: "Man in Space: Space Medicine, Physiology and Biology, 1982"

Folder 59: "Standard for Headspace Oxygen Analysis," 1983

Folder 60: Food System and Dining Workbook, 1983

Folder 61: "Life Sciences Flight Experiments Program, Life Sciences Laboratory Equipment Descriptions," 1984

Folder 62: Items Relating to Space Food, 1974, 1985-1988

Folder 63: Space Shuttle Orbiter Waste Collection System, Conceptual Study, 1985

Folder 64: Contract to Study Food Hardware System for Space Station, 1985

Folder 65: Contract to Study Food Hardware System for Space Station, 1985 (Continued)

Box 6

Folder 1: "Human Factors in Food Systems for Space," 1985

Folder 2: "Human Factors in Food Systems for Space," 1985 (Continued)

Folder 3: "Space Station Science Laboratory Module Planning Support Data Base," 1985

Folder 4: "Life Sciences Accomplishments," 1985

Folder 5: John Disher’s Interim Report on Space Station Food System, 1985

Folder 6: NASA Technical Memorandum: "Life Sciences Space Station Planning Document," 1986

Folder 7: "Living in Space," McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company, 1986

Folder 8: Human Research Facility Planning Support System, 1986

Folder 9: Space Station Food Supply and Service System Program Review, 1986

Folder 10: Space Station Food Supply and Service System Preliminary Requirements, 1986

Folder 11: Space Station Food Supply and Service System Preliminary Requirements, 1987

Folder 12: Research Animal Holding Facility, 1987-1988

Folder 13: NASA Research and Engineering Procurement Office’s Competitive Procurements, Fiscal Year 1987

Folder 14: Cosmos Space Life Sciences Research, 1988

Folder 15: NASA Contracts on Waste and Hygiene, undated

Folder 16: NASA Approved Personal Hygiene Supplies for the Space Station, undated

Folder 17: Health Maintenance Facility, undated

Folder 18: "Reference Level C Element Requirements," undated

Sub-Series 6: JLC Aerospace

Disher completed two contracts for JLC Aerospace in 1987. The first involved a joint project between JLC Aerospace and the Planning Research Council (PRC) to produce a report on the lessons learned from the space shuttle Challenger accident and their application for the proposed manned space station. The final JLC/PRC report, "Space Station Lessons Learned from Challenger" is included in this subseries. Also included are correspondence between Disher and JLC Aerospace, and a magazine article and NASA documents on the Challenger accident.

For Disher's second contract with JLC Aerospace, he served on JLC's Space Advisory Committee (SPAC). This committee produced a paper entitled "An Assessment of U.S. Civil Space Goals," a copy of which is included in this subseries. A large part of this report evaluated three previous reports on the same topic. These are the Ride Report, the Paine Report and the AIAA Report. The Ride Report, entitled "NASA Leadership and America's Future in Space" was a report by astronaut Sally Ride to NASA Administrator James Fletcher. The Paine Report, entitled "Pioneering the Space Frontier" was produced by the National Commission on Space. It is named for Thomas Paine, a former NASA Administrator and member of the Commission. Other notable Commission members included Astronaut Neil Armstrong, former United States Representative to the United Nations Jeanne J. Kirkpatrick and U.S. Air Force General Chuck Yeager. The AIAA report, entitled "U.S. Civil Space Program: An AIAA Assessment," was authored by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Copies of all three reports are included in this subseries. Correspondence, handwritten notes and typed comments document the thoughts and opinions of Disher and other SPAC members on the three reports. The Committee also refers to the Collins Report, the final report of the NASA Space Goals Task Force, headed by astronaut Michael Collins. This report, also included in the subseries, is smaller and less detailed than the three mentioned above.

Box 6

Folder 19: JLC Aerospace, 1987

Folder 20: "Space Station Lessons Learned from Challenger," Report by PRC Systems Services and JLC Aerospace Corporation, 1987

Folder 21: Materials on Space Shuttle Challenger, 1986-1987

Folder 22: "An Assessment of U.S. Civil Space Goals, A White Paper by the JLC Aerospace Corporation Space Program Advisory Committee," 1987

Folder 23: NASA Space Goals Task Force Final Report (a.k.a. "The Collins Report"), 1987

Folder 24: "Pioneering the Space Frontier, The Report of the National Commission on Space" (a.k.a. "The Paine Report"), 1985

Folder 25: "Pioneering the Space Frontier ("The Paine Report"), 1985 (Continued)

Folder 26: "Leadership and America’s Future in Space" (a.k.a. "The Ride Report"), 1987

Folder 27: "U.S. Civil Space Program: An AIAA Assessment," 1987

Sub-Series 7: Miscellaneous Avanti Clients

Materials in this subseries consist largely of copies of contracts and some correspondence. Clients in this subseries contracted Disher's services for various reasons. In some cases, the contract only specifies that Disher's services remain available for a certain client during a specific length of time. Notable projects include furnishing breakdown costs on the proposed manned space station to United Technologies and serving on Hernandez Engineering's task force to assess losses in the Challenger accident. The Advanced Technologies, or "Adtech" project is also worthy of mention. Disher contracted with this company to work on a proposal to NASA for "Advanced Programs and Plans Support." A copy of this proposal is included in the "Advanced Technologies" file.

Box 6

Folder 28: Advanced Technologies, 1984

Folder 29: United Space Boosters, Inc., 1984

Folder 30: United Technologies, 1984-1985

Folder 31: Hernandez Engineering, 1985

Folder 32: CDI Corporation, 1986

Folder 33: Econ, Inc., 1986

Folder 34: Computer Sciences Corporation, 1986

Box 11

Folder 27: Boeing Consulting Agreement, 1984

Folder 28: Consulting Agreement with United Space Boosters, Inc

Folder 29: GC & E Company documents

Folder 30: General Electric Consulting Agreement and correspondence, 1981-1982

Folder 32: Engineering Consulting Services Contract with Consiglio Nazionale Delle Richerche

Folder 33: Correspondence from Consiglio Nazionale delle Rierche, 1981-1982

Folder 34: Statement of Professional Services and Expenses for subcontracts, 1981

Sub-Series 8: Aerospace Company Literature

This sub-series consists of informational literature produced by various aerospace companies to provide information on the company and promote its products and services. Materials date from 1981-1986.

Box 6

Folder 35: Aeritalia, Company Information/Promotional Literature, 1986 and undated

Folder 36: Aerospace Technology Associates, Brochure, undated

Folder 37: Astro Resources International, Company Information/Promotional Literature, 1981 and undated

Folder 38: Eagle Engineering, Company Information/Promotional Literature, 1981 and undated

Folder 39: Fiar, Company Information/Promotional Literature, 1986 and undated

Folder 40: Ford Aerospace, Company Information/Promotional Literature, 1986

Folder 41: Garrett Pneumatic Systems Division, Company Information/Promotional Literature, undated

Folder 42: General Technology System Limited, Projects, Studies and Advisory Services, 1985

Folder 43: Gruppo Agusta, Company Information/Promotional Literature, undated

Folder 44: Harris Corporation, Press Release, 1986

Folder 45: Ingersoll Engineers, Company Information/Promotional Literature, 1982

Folder 46: Marconi Space Systems, Company Information/Promotional Literature,1986

Folder 47: Moog Space Products Division, Company/Product Information and Promotional Literature, 1987 and undated

Folder 48: Orbit Sciences Corporation, Company Information/Promotional Literature, 1984

Folder 49: Presearch, Inc., Company Information/Promotional Literature, 1986

Folder 50: Rockwell International, Company Information/Promotional Literature, 1986

Folder 51: Spacehab, Company Information/Promotional Literature, 1986

Folder 52: Sundstrom Missile and Space Power Systems, Company Information/Promotional Literature, undated

Folder 53: Technology Management Consultants, Brochure, 1985

Sub-Series 9: General Research and Background Files

Materials in this sub-series include papers, publications, NASA reports, newsletters and other documents and newspaper clippings and press releases. Files pertain to some aspect of space technology. The majority concern the proposed manned space station. Disher worked on various aspects of this station for several different clients. There are also files on the space shuttle, advanced space transportation systems and the possibilities of establishing an international base on the moon.

Box 6

Folder 54: NASA Brochures and Newsletters on the Space Station, 1982, 1986-1987 and undated

Folder 55: "Space Stations - A Perspective," 1981

Folder 56: "Zero Order Space Station," 1982

Folder 57: Workshop on Lower Cost Alternatives to One or More Space Stations, 1983

Folder 58: "The Process of Space Station Development Using External Tanks," 1983

Folder 59: Boeing Report on Space Station Needs, Attributes and Architectural Options Study, 1983

Folder 60: "Space Station Briefing to Diana Hoyt, National Space Caucus, and Marsha Smith, Congressional Research Service, 1983

Folder 61: "Space Station Operations Working Group," 1983

Folder 62: "Civilian Space Stations and the U.S. Future in Space," 1984

Folder 63: "Practical Applications of a Space Station," 1984

Folder 64: Space Station Program Plan, 1984

Folder 65: Space Station Program Description Document, undated

Folder 66: Office of Space Station, Organization Chart, 1984

Folder 67: Space Station Prelaunch Operations Plans, 1984

Folder 68: "Tailoring the Space Station for Mission Operations," by R.W. Hager, J.R. Woodcock, Boeing Aerospace, 1984

Folder 69: "Space Station Technology Development Mission: Requirements Definition for Advanced Automation and Robotics," 1984

Box 7

Folder 1: "Space Station Reference Configuration Description, Systems Engineering and Integration, Space Station Program Office," 1984

Folder 2: "Space Station Reference Configuration Description, Systems Engineering and Integration, Space Station Program Office," 1984 (Continued)

Folder 3: "Space Station Technology/Advanced Development Program Review for Industry," 1984

Folder 4: "Space Station Technology/Advanced Development Program Review for Industry," 1984 (Folder 2)

Folder 5: "Space Station Technology/Advanced Development Program Review for Industry," 1984 (Folder 3)

Folder 6: "Space Station Technology/Advanced Development Program Review for Industry," 1984 (Folder 4)

Folder 7: "Space Station: A Cooperative Endeavor" by Phillip E. Culbertson, 1985

Folder 8: Kennedy Space Center Advanced Projects, Industry Briefing, 1985

Folder 9: Space Station Program, Advanced Development, Program Overview Briefing, Kennedy Space Center, 1985

Folder 10: Space Station Advanced Development Program Overview, Marshall Space Flight Center, 1985

Folder 11: Space Station Supporting Development Competitive Procurements, 1985-1986

Folder 12: Statement of NASA Task Force on Scientific Uses of Space Station, 1985

Folder 13: Newspaper Clippings on Space Station, 1985 and undated

Folder 14: 8th U.S./European Conference, `Cooperation in the Space Station System,’ 1986

Folder 15: "Space Station Concerns," 1986

Folder 16: "Assessment of the 1984 Recommendations of the Task Force on Scientific Utilization of the Space Station, Submitted to the ... U.S. Senate," 1986

Folder 17: "Space Station Plan," 1986

Folder 18: Management Review of Space Station Program, 1986

Folder 19: "Space Station Program Systems Engineering and Integration, SRR Results and Summary," 1986

Folder 20: "Space Station SE and I Task Force Report to Mr. Andrew J. Stofan, Associate Administrator," 1986

Folder 21: NASA Executive Technical Committee, Critical Evaluation Task Force, 1986

Folder 22: Statement of Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, Before the U.S. House of Representatives, 1986

Folder 23: "Industry `Pre-Briefing’ Conference," Space Station Operations Task Force, 1986

Folder 24: "Space Station Redesign," Aviation Week and Space Technology, September 22, 1986

Folder 25: "Space Station Program," 1986

Folder 26: "The Space Station: A Description of the Configuration Established at the System Requirements Review," 1986

Folder 27: Statement of Work, Space Station Advanced Automation and Robotics, 1986

Folder 28: Request for Proposal - Space Station Work Package #1, 1987

Folder 29: Request for Proposal - Space Station Work Package #1, 1987 (Folder 2)

Folder 30: Request for Proposal - Space Station Work Package #1, 1987 (Folder 3)

Folder 31: Draft Request for Proposal - Space Station Work Package #2, 1986

Folder 32: Request for Proposal - Space Station Work Package #3, undated

Folder 33: Request for Proposal - Space Station Work Package #4, undated

Folder 34: Requests for Proposal - Advanced Program Planning and Analysis, 1985, 1987

Folder 35: "The Space Station - From Concept to Evolving Reality," 1987

Folder 36: Space Station Presentation Material, 1987

Folder 37: "Space Station Presentation to the Subcommittee on Space Science and Applications," 1987

Folder 38: Report of the Committee on the Space Station of the National Research Council, 1987

Box 8

Folder 1: "Space Station Program Description Document - System Requirements and Characteristics," undated

Folder 2: "Space Station Mission Analysis," undated

Folder 3: "Technology for Space Station," by Raymond S. Colladay and Richard F. Carlisle, undated

Folder 4: "The Importance of the Space Station as an Element of the Total Space System Architecture," by Ivan Bekey, undated

Folder 5: "Space Platform Design Options: A Comparison for Cost Effectiveness of Expendable, Reusable and Serviceable Spacecraft," by Dr. J. A. Vandenkerckhove, undated

Folder 6: "Platform Project Requirements," undated

Folder 7: "Change Notice for Space Station Program Definition and Requirements," 1993

Folder 8: NASA Standard Contract for Launch Services, 1981

Folder 9: "Comparison of Three Kinds of Possible Power Generators as Space Shuttle Power Extension Package," by Wei-Yuan Yang, 1981

Folder 10: "Shuttle-Derived Launch Vehicles, A NASA Perspective," 1982

Folder 11: "Advanced Space Transportation Requirements and Options," by M.W. Jack Bell, 1984

Folder 12: National Security Launch Strategy, 1984

Folder 13: "Film-Making on the Space Shuttle," by William D. Green, 1986

Folder 14: "Lessons Learned: An Experience Data Base for Space Design, Test and Flight Operations," by Gilbert L. Rothe, 1986

Folder 15: NASA Advisory Council, Report of the Task Force on Issues of a Mixed Fleet," 1987

Folder 16: Payload Flight Assignments, NASA Mixed Fleet, 1985, 1988, 1990-1994

Folder 17: Office of Space Transportation Systems, Expected Accomplishments - 1987

Folder 18: "Space Transportation Systems for the ?90's," undated

Folder 19: Shuttle Program Configuration Manual, undated

Folder 20: Solid Rocket Motor, 1986

Folder 21: "SSME-Alternate Turopump Test Plan," 1986

Folder 22: RLIO Centaur Engine, 1987

Folder 23: Heat Exchanger, undated

Folder 24: "Recent Disasters During Launch and Operations of Commercial Satellites," 1984

Folder 25: NASA News, 1982, 1986-1987, 1989

Folder 26: Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Organizational Chart, 1984

Folder 27: NASA Spinoff, 1986

Folder 28: NASA Global Geodynamics, undated

Folder 29: NASA Highlights, 1986-1988

Folder 30: NASA Aeronautics - Research and Technology, 1986

Folder 31: NASA Information Summaries, 1986

Folder 32: Office of Space Science and Applications, Presentation to the NASA Alumni, 1987

Folder 33: "NASA Organization and Definition of Terms," 1987

Folder 34: Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology, Overview for NASA Alumni League, 1987

Folder 35: "Questionnaire for Capacity for High Technology Development," 1987

Folder 36: Materials Regarding NASA Budget for Fiscal Year 1989, Dated 1988

Folder 37: "Looking to the Future," by Gary L. Jackson, 1988

Folder 38: U.S. House and Senate Committees Regarding Space Program, undated

Folder 39: White House Press Releases, 1988

Folder 40: "Comparison of Alternative Strategies of `Return- to-the-Moon’ Executive Summaries," H. Hermann Koelle, et. Al.

Folder 41: Project Horizon, An Early Study of a Lunar Outpost, 1987

Folder 42: "The Case for an International Lunar Base, Ad Hoc Committee Return to the Moon," 1988

Folder 43: Project Horizon, An Early Study of a Lunar Outpost, undated

Folder 44: Newspaper Clippings, 1985-1988 and undated

Folder 45: "Configuration Management Reviews and Inspections," 1981

Folder 46: NASA Management Instruction - Minimum Guide Lines for the NASA Flight Insurance Review Program, undated

Folder 47: NASA Management Instruction - NASA Scientific and Technical Document Availability Authorization, 1984

Folder 48: "Man in Space,"1984

Folder 49: Roles and Needs of Humanity in Space - Three Papers by Jesco Von Puttkamer, undated

Folder 50: "Towards Industrial Development in Space," by Isaac T. Gilliam, undated

Folder 51: "Space Flight - Its Risks and Gains," by Gerald D. Griffin, undated

Folder 52: National Space Club Essay Contest, 1988

Sub-Series 10: Professional Conferences

This sub-series contains papers, programs, attendance lists and some correspondence relating to professional conferences. Materials date from 1980-1992. Conferences include the annual American Institute of Astronautics and Aeronautics Conferences, the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) Congresses and the International Academy of Astronautics meetings,

Box 8

Folder 53: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1966-1989

Folder 54: Papers Presented at AIAA Conferences, 1981-1986

Folder 55: NASA/AIAA Advanced Materials Seminar, Attendance List, 1982

Folder 56: International Academy of Astronautics, 1986-1988

Folder 57: 32nd IAF Congress, 1981

Folder 58: 33rd IAF Congress, 1982

Folder 59: "Overview of Space Station Operations," by John Disher, Presented at 34th IAF Congress, 1983

Folder 60: 34th IAF Congress, 1983

Folder 61: 35th IAF Congress, 1984

Folder 62: 36th IAF Congress, 1985

Folder 63: 37th IAF Congress, 1986

Folder 64: 38th IAF Congress, 1987

Folder 65: 39th IAF Congress, 1988

Folder 66: 40th IAF Congress, 1989

Folder 67: 42nd IAF Congress, 1991

Folder 68: World Space Congress, 1992

Folder 69: American Astronautical Society, 26th Goddard Memorial Symposium, 1988

Series 5: UND School of Engineering and Mines, 1986-1988

From 1986 until his death in 1988, Disher served as a member of the Aerospace Engineering Committee of the University of North Dakota School of Engineering and Mines Advisory Council. The committee was formed to provide curriculum guidelines for an undergraduate aerospace program. Materials include correspondence, committee meeting minutes, reports, brochures and pamphlets. One file contains copies of proposals submitted by UND to NASA's University Space Research Association. NASA planned to established "Space Engineering Research Centers" at major universities and organized USRA to review universities' proposals for these centers. UND submitted two such proposals, in 1987 and 1988, for facilities at UND to research Variable Gravity and Lunar Materials, respectfully. Disher reviewed both proposals before their final submission to USRA. Another file in this series, entitled "Engineering in the Year 2000 and Beyond" contains speculations on the future of engineering education. File materials include a magazine article, essays and Disher's handwritten notes.

Box 8

Folder 70: UND School of Engineering and Mines Advisory Council, General, 1986-1987

Folder 71: UND Space Studies - Reports from Fall Semester, 1986

Folder 72: UND Mechanical Engineering, Tether System Mid Term Reports, 1987

Folder 73: UND Proposals to NASA - Advanced Mission Space Design Program, 1986, and Lunar Materials Research Center, 1987

Folder 74: Engineering Education in the Year 2000 and Beyond, 1987-1988

Folder 75: Energy and Mineral Research Center, 1988

Folder 76: Dedication of the Harry Nyquist Memorial, 1988

Folder 77: UND International Conference on Hypersonic Flight, 1988

Folder 78: UND-NDSU Technology Transfer Office in Europe, 1988

Series 6: Oversize Materials

This series contains various materials which were placed in the Oversize File Cabinets due to their size.

Box 12

Item 1: An autographed picture of Robert C. Seaman, Deputy Administrator, National Aeronautics & Space Administration, 1968

Item 2: A flag of North Dakota that was carried on Skylab 4 Mission presented to John Disher for his contribution to NASA Manned Space Missions, 1980

Item 3: The US flag carried on the Apollo 17 Mission that was presented to John Disher for his contribution to NASA Manned Space Missions, 1980

Item 4: Certificate of Appreciation to Disher for his achievements in the Manned Space Flight Program, 1980

Item 5: NASA Distinguished Service Medal for contributions to the Skylab Program, 1973

Item 6: Group Achievement award to Advanced Programs Exhibits Team for Bicentennial Exposition on Science and Technology, 1976

Item 7: NASA Exceptional Service Medal, 1980

Oversize Folder 1: NASA publication titled Space Shuttle: The Journey Continues, a Popular Mechanics diagram of a space shuttle and a promotional booklet by the Italian aerospace firm Aeritalia, which describes its company and its contributions for the Italian space program. All materials are undated, but are probably from the mid-1980s.

Oversize Folder 2: NASA poster of Skylab. The back of the poster provides some facts on this space station., 1972

Oversize Folder 3: Two architectural drawings - "Two Man Space Science Laboratory" and "Two Man Orbiting Laboratory." The drawings are undated.

Oversize Folder 4: Membership Certificate for the Order of DeMolay, Wamduska Chapter, 1937; 5 year Service Certificate to the Devils Lake Boy Concert Band, 1939; Sigma Nu, Epsilon Kappa, membership certificate, 1940; AIAA Award to Disher for sustained contributions to the advancement of the Arts, Sciences and Technology of Aeronautics and Astronautics through membership since 1945; State of Ohio Certificate as a Professional Engineers, 1952; American Rocket Society Certificate of Membership, 1958; United States Auto Club Certificate of Performance for Serving on the Technical Committee for the Indianapolis 500, 1960; American Rocket Society Membership Certificate as a Senior Member, 1961; AIAA Associate Fellow Member, 1964; NASA Exceptional Service Medal for the Apollo Program, 1969; NASA Group Achievement Award to Apollo Program Office, 1969; NASA Apollo Achievement Award, 1969; Certificate of Public Service as a Juror, Maryland, 1973; American Astronautical Society, Inc. Achievement Award for Management during the Skylab Program, 1974; NASA Skylab Achievement Award, 1974; NASA Group Achievement Award to Skylab Program Office Headquarters Office of Manned Space Flight, 1974; NASA Group Achievement Award to Disher for Skylab Educational Activities, 1974; AIAA certificate as a member of the Technical Committee on Management, 1975-1977; NASA Group Achievement Award to Advanced Programs Exhibits Team for Bicentennial Exposition on Science and Technology, John Disher, Code MT, 1976; NASA 35 Year Service Award, 1978; Who's Who in America, 1984; Certificate of Membership in the IAA as a member of the Engineering Sciences, 1987; Flag flown aboard Space Shuttle "Columbia" given to Disher for his contribution to the mission; Apollo Soyuz Test Project certificate for contribution to the first International mission; Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences Certificate of Membership; Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences Certificate of Membership as an Associate Fellow; Approach and Landing Test Award for "Enterprise"; Apollo Splashdown Party menu; Skylab Honor Awards Ceremony program; three newspaper articles about Skylab, Tektite II, and NASA.

Oversize Folder File Cabinet

Oversize Folder 5: Photographs of land taken from Skylab for the purpose of Skylab Earth Resource Lectures. Some of these land masses include parts of North Dakota, Utah, Idaho, and Holland. There is a picture of Apollo 17 during lift off with autographs by the astronauts from Apollo 17, and another picture of an unknown space vehicle. There are three posters before and during the launch of the Columbia space shuttle, and one poster of the shuttle during touchdown.

Oversize Folder File Cabinet

Oversize Folder 6: Two posters - "The Year of Skylab," May 1973 to February 1974 (includes pictures of people who worked on Skylab with their signatures) and "Skylab Mission Profile" (depicts various stages of the Skylab Command Service Module).

Oversize Folder File Cabinet

Series 7: Photographs

Sub-Series 1: Photographs of Disher

1299-1: Disher headshot

1299-2 & 1299-3: Disher with model spaceship

(Box 11, Folder 51)

Sub-Series 2: Award and Reception Photographs

1299-4: Awarding of Exceptional Service Medal for Skylab presented by Dr. Fletcher, ca. 1973

1299-5: On beach at Antigua, ca. 1966

1299-6 & 1299-7: Luncheon - Antigua, ca. 1966

1299-8 & 1299-9: Disher presenting awards

1299-10: Viking Lander model, ca. 1976

1299-11 & 1299-12: Dr. Petrov receiving a print, ca. 1976

1299-13: Dr. Petrov receiving Viking Lander model and print, ca. 1976

1299-14 through 1299-21: Dr. Petrov and unidentified people at Viking Lander banquet, ca. 1976

1299-22 & 1299-24: Disher receiving AIAA citation, Orlando, Florida, ca. 1974

1299-23 & 1299-25: Speakers at AIAA banquet, Orlando, Florida, ca. 1974

1299-26: Disher and others at reception, ca. 1974

(Box 11, Folder 52)

Sub-Series 3: Work-related Photographs

1299-27: Apollo/Saturn V take-off with Apollo 11 astronauts, July 1969

1299-28: Astronaut Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., walking near lunar module during Apollo 11 mission, July 1969

1299-29: Saturn/Skylab, IBM Space Systems facility, Huntsville, Alabama, October 1972

1299-30: HBS Executive Council, ca. 1980

1299-31: Disher and unidentified man with Ramjet, ca. 1949

1299-32 through 1299-37: assorted Ramjet images including negatives

1299-38 & 1299-39: EFQ-168 airplane ready for take-off (print and negative)

1299-40: Ramjet and unidentified man, ca. 1952

1299-41: Ramjet, ca. 1947

1299-42: EFQ-168 side view

1299-43 & 1299-44: Images of drawings, ca. 1980

1299-45: NASA Concept for two-man orbiting laboratory (slide), ca. 1959

(Box 11, Folder 53)

Sub-Series 4: Space Shuttle Operations, 1980

1299-46: Disher and others at entrance of Space Shuttle Operations

1299-47: Disher and unidentified man in space vehicle

1299-48 & 1299-49: Disher and others at Space Shuttle Operations

1299-50 & 1299-51: Disher in space vehicle

(Box 11, Folder 54)

Sub-Series 5: Manned Remote Work Station Development Article - Open Cherry Picker

1299-52 & 1299-53: Rendering of astronaut working on space telescope

1299-54: Space telescope electronic ORU replacement

1299-55 through 1299-60: Disher and others with open cherry picker

1299-61 & 1299-62: Model of open cherry picker

1299-63 through 1299-65: Rendering of space telescope and open cherry picker

(Box 11, Folder 55)