Background
Sonett, Charles Philip was born on January 15, 1924 in Pittsburgh. Son of Erwin and Helen (Dorner) Sonett.
Sonett, Charles Philip was born on January 15, 1924 in Pittsburgh. Son of Erwin and Helen (Dorner) Sonett.
Bachelor in Physics, University of California, Berkeley, 1949; Master of Science, University of California, 1951; Doctor of Philosophy in Nuclear Physics, University of California at Los Angeles, 1954.
Associate physics, University of California at Los Angeles, 1953-1954;
head range development group, Ramo Wooldridge Corporation, 1954-1957;
member senior staff, head space physics section, project scientist, Pioneer 1, 2, 5, Explorer 6 Space Technology laboratories, 1957-1960;
chief science lunar and planetary programs, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Headquarters, 1960-1962;
chief space science division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Headquarters, 1962-1970;
deputy director astronautics, National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Ames Research Center, 1970-1973;
principal investigator Pioneer 1, 2, 5, 9. Explorer 6, 33, 35; Apollo 12,15
professor planetary science, head department, director lunar and planetary laboratory, U. Arizona, Tucson, 1973-1977;
professor planetary science, U. Arizona, Tucson, 1977-1992;
regents professor planetary science, U. Arizona, Tucson, since 1990;
professor emeritus, U. Arizona, Tucson, since 1992. Lecturer engineering University of California at Los Angeles, 1955-1958.
Consultant National Aeronautics and Space Administration Headquarters, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Rockwell International.
With United States Army, 1943-1946. Fellow American Geophysical Union. Member American Association for the Advancement of Science, International Astronomical Union, University Space Research Association (trustee 1977-1983).
Married Virginia Hooten, June 20, 1948. Children: Eric Erwin, Maria Lisa.