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- John Disher Papers
- Finding Aid
John Disher Papers
Collection Overview
Predominant Dates:1945-1993
ID: OGLMC1299
Primary Creator: Disher, John (1921-1988)
Extent: 26.75 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 12/02/1994. More info below under Accruals.
Subjects: Space, University of North Dakota - Alumni
Languages: English
Abstract
Scope and Contents of the Materials
The John Disher Papers, 1937-1994, document Disher's career, reflecting the evolution of the United States space program from its beginnings through the 1980s. The collection is divided into seven individual series.
Series 1: Personal Materials
Series 2: National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), 1945-1958
Series 3: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), 1958-1989
Series 4: Avanti Systems, 1980-1989
Series 5: University of North Dakota School of Engineering and Mines, 1986-1988
Series 6: Oversize Materials
Series 7: Photographs
Collection Historical Note
John Howard Disher was born December 23, 1921, in Olmstead, North Dakota. He was raised in Devils Lake, North Dakota and graduated from high school there in 1939. He earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, in 1943. While at UND, he was a Sigma Nu Fraternity member and was active in the University concert and marching bands.
Following his graduation from UND, Disher joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, or NACA, a predecessor of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA. He worked as a NACA aeronautical research analyst in the Flight Propulsion Laboratory, located in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1951, Disher was named head of Free Flight Research Section. This group tested the first hypersonic flight of a solid rocket, and the first flight of a high energy fueled vehicle.
NASA was formed in 1958. The following year, NASA appointed Disher Project Engineer of the task group formed to oversee the Mercury Program, which launched the first American astronauts into space. He served in this capacity at the Langley Research Center in Virginia until 1960, when he was named Head of Advanced Manned Missions and relocated to NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. In 1961, he became Assistant Director for Apollo Spacecraft Development for the Spacecraft and Flight Missions Office. From 1963 to 1965, he was the Director of the Apollo Test for the Apollo Program Office. He was appointed Deputy Director of Skylab in 1965 and played an important role in the development of that program. In 1974 he became the Director of Advanced Programs, Manned Space Flight and held this post until his retirement from NASA in 1980.
Disher also made notable achievements independent of NACA and NASA. In 1969, he graduated from the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program. From 1948-1987, he served on the Technical Committee of the Indianapolis 500 Automobile Race.
After his retirement from NASA, he became an aerospace consultant and formed his own company, Avanti Systems. Avanti Systems’ clients included the Italian government, Boeing Aerospace, and the U.S. Office of Technology Assessment. From 1986 until his death in 1988, Disher served on the University of North Dakota School of Engineering and Mines Advisory Council. He was a member of the International Academy of Astronauts and a fellow of the British Interplanetary Society.
Disher received many honors, including the NASA Sustained Superior Performance Award for Apollo Test Program Management (1964), the NASA Exceptional Service Medal (1969), the Collier Trophy, a Skylab Program Award (1973), the NASA Distinguished Service Medal for the Skylab Program (1974), the American Astronautical Society Achievement Award for Skylab (1974), the University of North Dakota Sioux Award for Outstanding Achievement (1974), the American Astronautical Society Achievement Award for Skylab (1974), and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for "Outstanding Achievement in Development of Advanced Space Systems and Innovative Concepts" (1980). In 1993, the University of North Dakota School of Engineering and Mines honored him posthumously with its Nye Award.
John Howard Disher died August 27, 1988, in Bethesda, Maryland. He was survived by his sons, James and John Thomas, and by his wife, Lillian Helen Rusnak Disher, whom he married in Cleveland, Ohio on April 9, 1948.
Source: "University of North Dakota School of Engineering and Mines Engineers Banquet, Thursday, March 4, 1993." [Pamphlet]
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections
Accruals: Additional material was deposited by Lillian Disher, Walnut Creek, California, on October 11, 2001 (2002-2553)
Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.
Acquisition Source: Lillian Disher, Bethesda, Maryland
Acquisition Method: Donation; 94-1987
Separated Materials: Six oversize folders were separated and placed in the Oversize File Cabinets.
Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). John Disher Papers. OGLMC 1299, Box #, Folder #. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections. Chester Fritz Library. University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.
Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid added to Archon in October 2013.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: Personal Materials],
[Series 2: National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), 1945-1958],
[Series 3: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), 1958-1989],
[Series 4: Avanti Systems, 1980-1989],
[Series 5: UND School of Engineering and Mines, 1986-1988],
[Series 6: Oversize Materials],
[Series 7: Photographs],
[All]
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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)
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: Personal Materials],
[Series 2: National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), 1945-1958],
[Series 3: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), 1958-1989],
[Series 4: Avanti Systems, 1980-1989],
[Series 5: UND School of Engineering and Mines, 1986-1988],
[Series 6: Oversize Materials],
[Series 7: Photographs],
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