James C. Adamson
Encyclopedia
James Craig Adamson is a former NASA
astronaut and retired colonel
of the United States Army
. He is married with 3 children. Adamson has received numerous honors, including the Distinguished Flying Cross
twice, 18 air medals, 3 Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry for valor
, the Bronze Star
, NASA Exceptional Service Medal
, 2 NASA Space Flight Medal
s, and many more honors and awards. James Adamson flew 2 missions, STS-28
and STS-43
and completed 263 orbits and 334 hours in space. After retiring from NASA, he was recruited by Allied Signal(merged with Honeywell
) where he retired in 2001. Adamson has logged over 3,000 hours in over 30 different types of helicopters and airplanes. He is also a certified professional engineer and licensed commercial pilot.
. He currently resides in Fishersville, Virginia
with his wife Ellen and two of his three children.
in 1969. In 1977, he completed a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering
at Princeton University
. In 2010, he completed his Chartered Director certification, graduating from The Directors College, (a joint venture between McMaster University and the Conference Board of Canada. Additionally he has completed undergraduate and graduate pilot training, paratrooper training, Arctic water and mountain survival training, Nuclear weapons training, basic and advanced officer training, Command and General Staff School, and the U. S. Navy Test Pilot
School.
, Princeton University, West Point, Patuxent Naval Air Station, and NASA Houston. He has logged over 3,000 hours of flight time in over 30 types of helicopters, piston props, turbo props, and turbo jet aircraft. During the Vietnam War
, he flew in the IV Corps area and in Cambodia
with the Air Cavalry as Scout Pilot, Team Lead, and Air Mission Commander. He has also flown with several peacetime flight units at Fort Bliss
, Texas
, West Point, New York, and Houston, Texas
. Following completion of his Masters Degree in Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University, he became Assistant Professor of Aerodynamics at the United States Military Academy at West Point. While at West Point, he developed and taught courses in Fluid Mechanics, Aerodynamics, Aircraft Performance, and Stability and Control. He also developed flight laboratories in aircraft flight testing and completed a text on aircraft performance. In addition to being an Experimental Test Pilot and Master Aviator, Adamson is also a Certified Professional Engineer and licensed Commercial Pilot. In ground assignments with the Army, Adamson has commanded nuclear capable missile units in Europe and in the United States.
Selected by NASA as an Astronaut in 1984, Adamson became qualified for mission assignment on Space Shuttle flights. In November 1985, he was selected to the crew of a Department of Defense mission, which was subsequently delayed due to the Challenger Accident. During the Shuttle Program reconstruction period Adamson was one of eleven astronauts selected to hold management positions within NASA. He served as Shuttle Program Office Assistant Manager for Engineering Integration. In this position he was responsible for the initial development of a reliability based maintenance program for the Space Shuttle program. He also initiated an enhancements program for Shuttle ground processing.
In February 1988 Adamson was assigned to the flight crew of STS-28
, the first flight of Columbia following the reconstruction period. Columbia launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on August 8, 1989. The mission carried a classified Department of Defense payload and a number of secondary payloads. After 80 earth orbits in 121 hours, this five day mission concluded with a dry lakebed landing on runway 17 at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on August 13, 1989.
Following STS-28 Adamson once again returned to management. This time he was assigned to the Kennedy Space Center as Director of Shuttle Processing Analysis. He served in this post from September 1989 until October 1990 when he was assigned to the flight crew of STS-43. During this period Adamson developed risk based processing and scheduling programs which resulted in reduction of processing times from 80 days to 50 days.
The nine day STS-43
mission aboard Atlantis launched from the Kennedy Space Center on August 2, 1991 setting a new world record for payload weight lifted to orbit. The five member crew deployed a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-E), and conducted 32 physical and life sciences experiments. During this flight Adamson performed the first flight test of the Orbital Digital Autopilot following Shuttle retrofit with new General Purpose Computers and new software. After 142 earth orbits in 213 hours, the STS-43 mission concluded with a landing on runway 15 at the Kennedy Space Center on August 11, 1991.
Following Adamson’s retirement from government service in June 1992 he continued as a management consultant to NASA and the aerospace industry. Until September 1994 he served as management consultant and strategic planner for Lockheed Corporation in the area of Human Space Flight Operations. He was also selected by the NASA Administrator to serve on the NASA Advisory Council.
In September 1994 Adamson joined Lockheed Corporation as Executive Vice President of Lockheed Engineering and Science company (LESC) where he was shortly promoted to President and CEO. In late 1995 he was selected by Lockeed Martin to start up and become the first COO of the United Space Alliance
(USA), a joint venture with Rockwell International Corp. USA subsequently won the Space Flight Operations Contract with NASA to operated the Space Shuttle Program and grew to $1.5 billion annual revenue in the first year.
In 1999 Adamson was recruited by AlliedSignal
Corporation to be the President of Allied Signal Technical Services Corporation. He remained in that post through Allied Signal’s merger with Honeywell until his retirement in March 2001.
Adamson is still active as a consultant and board member for the aerospace industry and still serves on the NASA Advisory Council for the NASA Administrator. A veteran of two space flight missions, Adamson has logged over 334 hours in space.
award. Named an Outstanding College Athlete of America, Adamson captained West Point's pistol team to the national championship in 1969. He was distinguished graduate of his pilot training class as well as distinguished graduate of both his graduate fixed wing and multi-engine pilot training classes. During aerial combat in Southeast Asia
he earned two Distinguished Flying Cross
es, eighteen Air Medal
s, and three Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry for valor. He has also earned the Defense Superior Service Medal
, Defense Meritorious Service Medal
, the Meritorious Service Medal
, two Army Commendation Medals, the Bronze Star
, NASA's Exceptional Service Medal, two NASA Space Flight Medals, and is a world record holder for space flight lifting the most weight to orbit. Charter Honoree Geneseo Central School Alumni Hall of Fame Class of 1964. Adamson is an Eagle Scout
.
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
astronaut and retired colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. He is married with 3 children. Adamson has received numerous honors, including the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
twice, 18 air medals, 3 Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry for valor
Vietnam Gallantry Cross
The Vietnam Gallantry Cross was a military decoration of South Vietnam which wasestablished in August 1950. Also known as the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Gallantry Cross was awarded to any military personnel who have accomplished deeds of valor or displayed heroic conduct while fighting an...
, the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, NASA Exceptional Service Medal
NASA Exceptional Service Medal
The NASA Exceptional Service Medal is an award granted to U.S. government employees for significant sustained performance characterized by unusual initiative or creative ability that clearly demonstrates substantial improvement in engineering, aeronautics, space flight, administration, support, or...
, 2 NASA Space Flight Medal
NASA Space Flight Medal
The NASA Space Flight Medal is a decoration of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. According to its statutes, it is awarded "for significant achievement or service during individual participation as a civilian or military astronaut, pilot, mission specialist, payload specialist, or...
s, and many more honors and awards. James Adamson flew 2 missions, STS-28
STS-28
STS-28 was the 30th NASA Space Shuttle mission, the fourth shuttle mission dedicated to United States Department of Defense purposes, and the eighth flight of Space Shuttle Columbia. The mission launched on 8 August 1989, lasted just over 5 days, and traveled 2.1 million miles during 81 orbits...
and STS-43
STS-43
-Mission parameters:*Mass:**Orbiter landing with payload: **Payload: *Perigee: *Apogee: *Inclination: 28.5°*Period: 90.6 min-Preparations and Launch:The launch took place on 2 August 1991, 11:01:59 am EDT...
and completed 263 orbits and 334 hours in space. After retiring from NASA, he was recruited by Allied Signal(merged with Honeywell
Honeywell
Honeywell International, Inc. is a major conglomerate company that produces a variety of consumer products, engineering services, and aerospace systems for a wide variety of customers, from private consumers to major corporations and governments....
) where he retired in 2001. Adamson has logged over 3,000 hours in over 30 different types of helicopters and airplanes. He is also a certified professional engineer and licensed commercial pilot.
Personal data
Adamson was born in Warsaw, New YorkWarsaw, New York
Warsaw, New York is the name of two locations in Wyoming County, New York:*Warsaw , New York*Warsaw , New York...
. He currently resides in Fishersville, Virginia
Fishersville, Virginia
Fishersville is a census-designated place in Augusta County, Virginia, United States. The population was 4,998 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Staunton–Waynesboro Micropolitan Statistical Area...
with his wife Ellen and two of his three children.
Education
Adamson completed his Bachelor of Science in Engineering and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army at West PointUnited States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
in 1969. In 1977, he completed a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace engineering
Aerospace engineering is the primary branch of engineering concerned with the design, construction and science of aircraft and spacecraft. It is divided into two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering...
at Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
. In 2010, he completed his Chartered Director certification, graduating from The Directors College, (a joint venture between McMaster University and the Conference Board of Canada. Additionally he has completed undergraduate and graduate pilot training, paratrooper training, Arctic water and mountain survival training, Nuclear weapons training, basic and advanced officer training, Command and General Staff School, and the U. S. Navy Test Pilot
Test pilot
A test pilot is an aviator who flies new and modified aircraft in specific maneuvers, known as flight test techniques or FTTs, allowing the results to be measured and the design to be evaluated....
School.
Military experience
As a military test pilot, Adamson has flown research aircraft at Edwards Air Force BaseEdwards Air Force Base
Edwards Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located on the border of Kern County, Los Angeles County, and San Bernardino County, California, in the Antelope Valley. It is southwest of the central business district of North Edwards, California and due east of Rosamond.It is named in...
, Princeton University, West Point, Patuxent Naval Air Station, and NASA Houston. He has logged over 3,000 hours of flight time in over 30 types of helicopters, piston props, turbo props, and turbo jet aircraft. During the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, he flew in the IV Corps area and in Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
with the Air Cavalry as Scout Pilot, Team Lead, and Air Mission Commander. He has also flown with several peacetime flight units at Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, West Point, New York, and Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
. Following completion of his Masters Degree in Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University, he became Assistant Professor of Aerodynamics at the United States Military Academy at West Point. While at West Point, he developed and taught courses in Fluid Mechanics, Aerodynamics, Aircraft Performance, and Stability and Control. He also developed flight laboratories in aircraft flight testing and completed a text on aircraft performance. In addition to being an Experimental Test Pilot and Master Aviator, Adamson is also a Certified Professional Engineer and licensed Commercial Pilot. In ground assignments with the Army, Adamson has commanded nuclear capable missile units in Europe and in the United States.
NASA experience
Adamson was employed at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center from 1981 to 1992. During the Operational Flight Test phase of the Shuttle Program, he served as a research test pilot and aerodynamics officer in Mission Control. Following completion of the operational test flights he became Guidance Navigation and Control Officer for Shuttle Missions 5 through 11. As research test pilot he also conducted airborne remote sensing studies in Biospheric Research.Selected by NASA as an Astronaut in 1984, Adamson became qualified for mission assignment on Space Shuttle flights. In November 1985, he was selected to the crew of a Department of Defense mission, which was subsequently delayed due to the Challenger Accident. During the Shuttle Program reconstruction period Adamson was one of eleven astronauts selected to hold management positions within NASA. He served as Shuttle Program Office Assistant Manager for Engineering Integration. In this position he was responsible for the initial development of a reliability based maintenance program for the Space Shuttle program. He also initiated an enhancements program for Shuttle ground processing.
In February 1988 Adamson was assigned to the flight crew of STS-28
STS-28
STS-28 was the 30th NASA Space Shuttle mission, the fourth shuttle mission dedicated to United States Department of Defense purposes, and the eighth flight of Space Shuttle Columbia. The mission launched on 8 August 1989, lasted just over 5 days, and traveled 2.1 million miles during 81 orbits...
, the first flight of Columbia following the reconstruction period. Columbia launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on August 8, 1989. The mission carried a classified Department of Defense payload and a number of secondary payloads. After 80 earth orbits in 121 hours, this five day mission concluded with a dry lakebed landing on runway 17 at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on August 13, 1989.
Following STS-28 Adamson once again returned to management. This time he was assigned to the Kennedy Space Center as Director of Shuttle Processing Analysis. He served in this post from September 1989 until October 1990 when he was assigned to the flight crew of STS-43. During this period Adamson developed risk based processing and scheduling programs which resulted in reduction of processing times from 80 days to 50 days.
The nine day STS-43
STS-43
-Mission parameters:*Mass:**Orbiter landing with payload: **Payload: *Perigee: *Apogee: *Inclination: 28.5°*Period: 90.6 min-Preparations and Launch:The launch took place on 2 August 1991, 11:01:59 am EDT...
mission aboard Atlantis launched from the Kennedy Space Center on August 2, 1991 setting a new world record for payload weight lifted to orbit. The five member crew deployed a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-E), and conducted 32 physical and life sciences experiments. During this flight Adamson performed the first flight test of the Orbital Digital Autopilot following Shuttle retrofit with new General Purpose Computers and new software. After 142 earth orbits in 213 hours, the STS-43 mission concluded with a landing on runway 15 at the Kennedy Space Center on August 11, 1991.
Following Adamson’s retirement from government service in June 1992 he continued as a management consultant to NASA and the aerospace industry. Until September 1994 he served as management consultant and strategic planner for Lockheed Corporation in the area of Human Space Flight Operations. He was also selected by the NASA Administrator to serve on the NASA Advisory Council.
In September 1994 Adamson joined Lockheed Corporation as Executive Vice President of Lockheed Engineering and Science company (LESC) where he was shortly promoted to President and CEO. In late 1995 he was selected by Lockeed Martin to start up and become the first COO of the United Space Alliance
United Space Alliance
United Space Alliance is a spaceflight operations company. USA is a joint venture which was established in August 1995 as a Limited Liability Company , equally owned by Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas and, employed approximately 8,800 people in Texas,...
(USA), a joint venture with Rockwell International Corp. USA subsequently won the Space Flight Operations Contract with NASA to operated the Space Shuttle Program and grew to $1.5 billion annual revenue in the first year.
In 1999 Adamson was recruited by AlliedSignal
AlliedSignal
AlliedSignal was an aerospace, automotive and engineering company that acquired and merged with Honeywell for $15 billion in 1999, after which the new group adopted the Honeywell name.AlliedSignal was created through a 1985 merger of Allied Corp...
Corporation to be the President of Allied Signal Technical Services Corporation. He remained in that post through Allied Signal’s merger with Honeywell until his retirement in March 2001.
Adamson is still active as a consultant and board member for the aerospace industry and still serves on the NASA Advisory Council for the NASA Administrator. A veteran of two space flight missions, Adamson has logged over 334 hours in space.
Honors and awards
Adamson was recently awarded the "Gil Bennett Gold Standard Award" for corporate governance. In 2007 he was inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame. Adamson was a two time All-American in pistol competition. He was also a winner of the Army's Excellency In Competition Award, and a recipient of the George S. PattonGeorge S. Patton
George Smith Patton, Jr. was a United States Army officer best known for his leadership while commanding corps and armies as a general during World War II. He was also well known for his eccentricity and controversial outspokenness.Patton was commissioned in the U.S. Army after his graduation from...
award. Named an Outstanding College Athlete of America, Adamson captained West Point's pistol team to the national championship in 1969. He was distinguished graduate of his pilot training class as well as distinguished graduate of both his graduate fixed wing and multi-engine pilot training classes. During aerial combat in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
he earned two Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
es, eighteen Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
s, and three Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry for valor. He has also earned the Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
The Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...
, Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
The Defense Meritorious Service Medal is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense...
, the Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
, two Army Commendation Medals, the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, NASA's Exceptional Service Medal, two NASA Space Flight Medals, and is a world record holder for space flight lifting the most weight to orbit. Charter Honoree Geneseo Central School Alumni Hall of Fame Class of 1964. Adamson is an Eagle Scout
Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America . A Scout who attains this rank is called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men...
.
Publications
- "Synthesis of BIS-2-(1,3-Diphenylimidazolidinylidene)", West Point, 1969
- "A Helicopter Simulator Study of Control Display Tradeoffs in a Deceleration Approach", Article to the American Helicopter Society Journal, 1976.
- Fundamentals of Applied Aerodynamics, Text rewrite, West Point, 1978.
- Principles of Aircraft Performance, Text for USMA Dept. of Mechanics, 1979.
- T41-B Aircrew Training Manual, West Point, 1979.
- "The USMA Flight Laboratory Program", Paper to ASEE, 1980.
- "A Simulator Study of Control and Display Tradeoffs in a Decelerating Approach", Adamson, Born, Dukes, MAE Tech. Rpt. No. 1428, Princeton NJ, 1976.
- "A Helicopter Simulator Study of Control Display Tradeoffs in a Decelerating Approach", Masters Thesis, Princeton NJ, 1976.
- "Dynamic Methods for Performance Flight Testing", Paper to the United States Navy Test Pilot School, Patuxent River MD, 1981.
- "An Analysis of The Projected Manpower Requirements for the Shuttle Processing Contract", NASA Report JSC-22662, 1988.
- NASA Response to the Presidential Commission on the Challenger Accident, contributing author, Houston, 1986.