Lee R. Scherer
Encyclopedia
Lee R. Scherer was an American aeronautical engineer and director of NASA
’s John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) from January 19, 1975 to September 2, 1979. Prior to his appointment as KSC director, Scherer was director of NASA’s Flight Research Center
, Edwards, California, responsible for the conduct of advanced aeronautical flight research.
He was awarded a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1949, and a professional degree (aeronautical engineer) from the California Institute of Technology in 1950. He was awarded a doctorate degree in engineering science from the University of Central Florida in 1979.
From 1950 to 1953, he was flying qualities project officer for the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics, responsible for establishing stability and control specifications for fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, and for approval of flight tests to meet these objectives prior to acceptance by the Navy.
From 1953 to 1956, he held several assignments, both in Washington, D.C.
, and on the staff of commander, Fleet Air Hawaii.
He was special assistant to the assistant secretary of the Navy for research and development from 1956 through 1959, the period when Vanguard, Polaris
, and ballistic missile nuclear submarines were developed.
He served as technical assistant to the team responsible for the establishment of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Research Center for NATO in La Spezia
, Italy
from 1959 to 1962. In 1962 he was head of the Aircraft Production Branch, responsible for planning, management and cost control in production of new Navy aircraft.
In 1962, on assignment from the Navy to NASA Headquarters
, he was program manager for Lunar Orbiter, unmanned spacecraft that photographed the Moon from low lunar orbit to provide data for the selection of Apollo landing sites. All five spacecraft performed their missions successfully. He retired from the Navy with the rank of captain in 1964, following 25 years of service, and remained in NASA as director of lunar programs for the Office of Space Sciences.
From 1967 to 1971, Scherer was director of the Apollo Lunar Exploration Office, responsible for scientific aspects of lunar exploration. He held this position during the first five lunar missions.
Scherer received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal
in 1967, the NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal
in 1969, and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal
in 1974. He received the 1976-77 General Lewis H. Brereton Award, presented annually by the Air Force Association (Florida) to the Florida civilian making the greatest contribution to aerospace during the year.
Scherer directed Kennedy Space Center during the Apollo Soyuz Test Project—a joint manned space venture with the Soviet Union in 1975—and also during the early buildup for the Space Shuttle program. Scherer left KSC on September 2, 1979 to assume the post of associate administrator for external relations at NASA Headquarters.
Scherer later moved to San Diego, California
and served as a senior executive with General Dynamics Commercial Services Group.
After years of holding this position with General Dynamics, Scherer brought an end to his long career and spent retirement with his wife Sheryn in San Diego.
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...
’s John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) from January 19, 1975 to September 2, 1979. Prior to his appointment as KSC director, Scherer was director of NASA’s Flight Research Center
Dryden Flight Research Center
The Dryden Flight Research Center , located inside Edwards Air Force Base, is an aeronautical research center operated by NASA. On March 26, 1976 it was named in honor of the late Hugh L. Dryden, a prominent aeronautical engineer who at the time of his death in 1965 was NASA's deputy administrator...
, Edwards, California, responsible for the conduct of advanced aeronautical flight research.
Biography
A 1942 honors graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, where he received a bachelor of science degree in Naval Science, Scherer’s operational experience in the Navy included assignments as a fighter pilot operating from various aircraft carriers. Prior to entering the Naval Academy, he attended the University of Kentucky.He was awarded a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1949, and a professional degree (aeronautical engineer) from the California Institute of Technology in 1950. He was awarded a doctorate degree in engineering science from the University of Central Florida in 1979.
From 1950 to 1953, he was flying qualities project officer for the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics, responsible for establishing stability and control specifications for fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, and for approval of flight tests to meet these objectives prior to acceptance by the Navy.
From 1953 to 1956, he held several assignments, both in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, and on the staff of commander, Fleet Air Hawaii.
He was special assistant to the assistant secretary of the Navy for research and development from 1956 through 1959, the period when Vanguard, Polaris
Polaris
Polaris |Alpha]] Ursae Minoris, commonly North Star or Pole Star, also Lodestar) is the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor. It is very close to the north celestial pole, making it the current northern pole star....
, and ballistic missile nuclear submarines were developed.
He served as technical assistant to the team responsible for the establishment of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Research Center for NATO in La Spezia
La Spezia
La Spezia , at the head of the Gulf of La Spezia in the Liguria region of northern Italy, is the capital city of the province of La Spezia. Located between Genoa and Pisa on the Ligurian Sea, it is one of the main Italian military and commercial harbours and hosts one of Italy's biggest military...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
from 1959 to 1962. In 1962 he was head of the Aircraft Production Branch, responsible for planning, management and cost control in production of new Navy aircraft.
In 1962, on assignment from the Navy to NASA Headquarters
NASA Headquarters
Two Independence Square, often referenced as NASA Headquarters, is a low-rise building in the two-building Independence Square complex at 300 E Street SW in Washington D.C. The building houses NASA leadership who provide overall guidance and direction to the US government executive branch agency...
, he was program manager for Lunar Orbiter, unmanned spacecraft that photographed the Moon from low lunar orbit to provide data for the selection of Apollo landing sites. All five spacecraft performed their missions successfully. He retired from the Navy with the rank of captain in 1964, following 25 years of service, and remained in NASA as director of lunar programs for the Office of Space Sciences.
From 1967 to 1971, Scherer was director of the Apollo Lunar Exploration Office, responsible for scientific aspects of lunar exploration. He held this position during the first five lunar missions.
Scherer received 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...
in 1967, the NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal
NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal
The NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal was established by NASA on September 15, 1961 when the original ESM was divided into three separate awards. Under the current guidelines, the ESAM is awarded for unusually significant scientific contribution toward achievement of aeronautical or...
in 1969, and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal
NASA Distinguished Service Medal
The NASA Distinguished Service Medal is the highest award which may be bestowed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States...
in 1974. He received the 1976-77 General Lewis H. Brereton Award, presented annually by the Air Force Association (Florida) to the Florida civilian making the greatest contribution to aerospace during the year.
Scherer directed Kennedy Space Center during the Apollo Soyuz Test Project—a joint manned space venture with the Soviet Union in 1975—and also during the early buildup for the Space Shuttle program. Scherer left KSC on September 2, 1979 to assume the post of associate administrator for external relations at NASA Headquarters.
Scherer later moved to San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
and served as a senior executive with General Dynamics Commercial Services Group.
After years of holding this position with General Dynamics, Scherer brought an end to his long career and spent retirement with his wife Sheryn in San Diego.