3 5 t h H i s t o r y o f A s t r o n a u t i c s S ym p o s i u m IAA-01-IAA-2.1.08 Dr. Kurt H. Debus: Launching a Vision C. McCleskey NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center D. Christensen Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company Dr. Kurt H. Debus: Launching a Vision FOR THE 52nd International Astronautical Congress C. M. McCleskey D. L. Christensen Spaceport Technology Development Office Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center, FL, U.S.A, 32899 Huntsville, AL, U.S.A., 35806
[email protected] [email protected] ABSTRACT The span of Dr. Debus’ astronautical activities is indeed The life and career of Dr. Kurt H. Debus, the rocket pioneer impressive. When researchers were peering into wind from Peenemunde, Germany, who led the creation of what tunnels and inventing means for measuring and observing is known today as the Cape Canaveral Spaceport, is a story fundamental high-speed aerodynamic phenomena, Dr. yet to be reported from start to finish. Yet, this story begs to Debus was there—in Europe, at Darmstadt Technical be told in an age when there is renewed interest in creating University. When Professor Wernher von Braun and Dr. a vision of space travel that includes advanced Ernst Steinhoff were exploring on-board measurement “spaceports.” Dr. Debus was a key leader in the German techniques for the V-2 rocket and thus creating the newly “rocket team” of Wernher von Braun.