Background

Roger D. Launius was born on May 15, 1954 in Galesburg, Illinois, United States. Son of J. Doyle and Feme (McCormick) Launius.

Education

Launius received his bachelor's degree in American History from Graceland College, Lamoni, Iowa, in 1976. Then he received a Master of Arts in American History from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, in 1978. In 1982 Launius earned his Doctor of Philosophy in American History from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge.

Career

From 1982 to 1990 Launius held several positions as civilian historian with the United States Air Force. From 1990 to 2002 he was the chief historian for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Since 2002 he was Chair of the Division of Space History at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, until 2006. From 2006 until 2013 he was Senior Curator, and from 2013 to 2016 Launius was Associate Director for Collections and Curatorial Affairs at the same institution. He retired in 2016.

Meanwhile, Launius also served as an instructor and adjunct professor at various universities, including McKendree College, Weber State University, Graceland College, Anne Arundel Community College. Besides, he served as consultant to the Columbia Accident Investigation Board in 2003. He has also been a regular commentator on space-related issues for the news media.

Achievements

• Launius received John F. Kennedy Astronautics Award from the American Astronautical Society in 2009 as an "individual who has made an outstanding contribution to public service through leadership in promoting our space programs for the exploration and utilization of outer space". He is also the winner of Charles Thomson Prize.
  
  Moreover, Launius received NASA Exceptional Service Medal in 1999 and NASA Distinguished Service Medal in 2001. He also won Director’s Award from the National Air and Space Museum in 2008, Secretary’s Research Prize from Smithsonian Institution in 2009, Roger R. Trask Award from the Society for History in the Federal Government in 2009.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Space Stations: Base Camps to the Stars
  • NASA: A History of the U.S. Civil Space Program
  • NASA and the Exploration of Space: With Works from the Nasa Art Collection
  • Imagining Space: Achievements, Predictions, Possibilities 1950-2050
  • Space Shuttle Legacy: How We Did It and What We Learned (Library of Flight)
  • To Reach the High Frontier: A History of U.S. Launch Vehicles
  • Smithsonian Atlas of Space Exploration
  • Spaceflight and the Myth of Presidential Leadership

Religion

Launius is a member of the Community of Christ.

Membership

Launius is a member of the Organization of American Historians, American Historical Association, American Astronautical Society (chairperson of History Committee since 1992, then vice-president for publications since 1995, member of executive committee since 1995), American Astronomical Society, Society for the History of Technology, Society for History in the Federal Government, Society for Military History, National Council for Public History, Mormon History Association (president, 1993-1994), Western History Association, John Whitmer Historical Association (president, 1990-1992).

• Launius was chairperson of History Committee since 1992, then vice-president for publications since 1995, and a member of executive committee since 1995.

  American Astronautical Society , United States

  1992

• Launius was president of the Mormon History Association.

  Mormon History Association

  1993 - 1994

Interests

• chess, computer information

• Sport & Clubs

  baseball

Connections

Roger married Vianne Tiffany on January 4, 1976. They have 2 children: Dana Kristine, Sarah Anne.

Father:

J. Doyle Launius

Mother:

Feme (McCormick) Launius

Spouse:

Vianne Tiffany Launius

child:

Dana Kristine Launius

child:

Sarah Anne Launius