Background
Weiss, Richard Ronald was born on November 4, 1934 in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Son of Charles Max and Edna May (Guard) Weiss.
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Richard Ronald Weiss
Edit Profilerocket propulsion technology executive
Richard Ronald Weiss, American rocket propulsion technology executive. Co-recipient Air Force Sys. Command Aerospace Primus award, 1986. First lieutenant United States Air Force, 1958-1961. Fellow American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (associate, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Wyld Propulsion award 1994).
M C.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Aero. Engineering, University Michigan, 1957; Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California, 1964; Doctor of Philosophy in Mech. Engineering, Purdue University, 1970.
Career
Development engineer Jupiter Missile rocket engine, Rocketdyne, 1957-1958;
unit chief, test conductor THOR Missile test program, Air Force Rocket Propagation Laboratory, 1958-1961;
various technical positions, Air Force Rocket Propagation Laboratory, 1961-1965;
various engineering management positions, Air Force Rocket Propagation Laboratory, 1965-1974;
chief scientist, Air Force Rocket Propagation Laboratory, 1974-1989;
1st director Strategic Defense Initiative Technology Office, Air Force Rocket Propagation Laboratory, 1985-1987;
chief scientist, Air Force Rocket Propagation Laboratory (renamed Astronautics Laboratory), 1987-1989;
director, Astronautics Laboratory, 1989-1990;
chief scientist, director, Astronautics Laboratory (merger Phillips Laboratory), 1990-1991;
director Propulsion Directorate, Phillips Laboratory Operating Location, Edwards Air Force Base, California, 1991-1993;
deputy director space launch systems and technical, Office of Under Secretary of Defense, Strategic and Space Systems, Missiles and Space Systems, 1993-1994;
retired, 1994. Past technical panel chairman Space Launch Modernization Plan, 1994. Member National Research Council Aeronautics & Space Engineering Board, Advanced Space Tech.Panel, Washington, 1992-1994.
United States representative Agard Propulsion & Energetics Panel, Paris, since 1987. Member ad hoc panel on space launch United States Air Force Science, since 1993. Chairman Joint Army, Navy, Air Force (JANNAF) Interagy.
Chemical Propulsion Executive Committee. Contributor to rocket propulsion developers for most of the nation's space and missile system including Apollo, Space Shuttle, Titan, Atlas, Peacekeeper, Minuteman, Strategic Defense Initiative.
Achievements
Membership
First lieutenant United States Air Force, 1958-1961. Fellow American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (associate, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Wyld Propulsion award 1994). M C.
Connections
Married Sally Anita Sparkman, Aug.10, 1957. Children: Mark, Kevin, Todd, Scott.
