| NASA Center: |
Electronic Research Center |
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| Image # : |
lestervanatta |
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| Date : |
UNKNOWN
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Title
Lester Van Atta
Full Description
Dr. Lester C. Van Atta was appointed the Assistant Director of
the NASA Electronics Research Center in November 1968. In that
position he directed the University Affairs Office, Technology
Utilization Office and the Special Projects Office.
In 1965, Dr. Van Atta joined NASA to head the Electomagnetic
Research directorate that included microwave and optical
research. Dr. Van Atta was known throughout his career for his
research of microwave and antenna development.
The ERC opened in September 1964, taking over the administration
of contracts, grants, and other NASA business in New England from
the antecedent North Eastern Operations Office (created in July
1962), and closed in June 1970. It served to develop the space
agencys in-house expertise in electronics during the Apollo era.
A second key function was to serve as a graduate and post-
graduate training center within the framework of a regional
government-industry-university alliance.
Research at the ERC was conducted in ten different laboratories:
space guidance, systems, computers, instrumentation research,
space optics, power conditioning and distribution, microwave
radiation, electronics components, qualifications and standards,
and control and information systems. Researchers investigated
such areas as microwave and laser communications; the
miniaturization and radiation resistance of electronic
components; guidance and control systems; photovoltaic energy
conversion; information display devices; instrumentation; and
computers and data processing.
Although the only NASA Center ever closed, the ERC actually grew
while NASA eliminated major programs and cut staff in other
areas. Between 1967 and 1970, NASA cut permanent civil service
workers at all Centers with one exception, the ERC, whose
personnel grew annually until its closure in June 1970.
Keywords
Lester Van Atta Electronics Resource Center ERC
Subject Category
NASA Management,
Reference Numbers
- Center:
ERC
- Center Number:
lestervanatta
- GRIN DataBase Number:
GPN-2002-000221
Source Information
| Resolution | Format | Width
(Pixels) | Height
(Pixels) | Size
(KBytes) |
Thumbnail |
JPEG |
62 |
88 |
7 |
Small |
JPEG |
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626 |
167 |
Medium |
JPEG |
1030 |
1467 |
811 |
Large |
JPEG |
1 |
2934 |
3,366 |
Publication Information
Caption provided by Dr. Andrew Butrica.
Please note that the image number assigned to this image is
not
an official NASA number. It is for GRIN database purposes
only.
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• NASA Headquarters
• NASA History Office
• NASA Image eXchange (NIX)
• NASA Multimedia Gallery
• NASA Human Spaceflight
Updated October 31, 2002
• History Questions: NASA History Office
• Responsible NASA Official: Steve Garber
• Author: Michael Hahn. Editor: Dwayne A. Day
• Curator & Technical Questions: Erin Needham
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