Milton Silveira
Milton Silveira | |
|---|---|
| Born | Milton Antone Silveira 4 May 1929 |
| Died | 11 July 2013 (aged 84) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Vermont University of Virginia Virginia Tech University of Houston |
| Occupation | Aerospace engineer |
| Known for | Involvement in multiple NASA spaceflight programs |
Milton Antone Silveira (4 May 1929 – 11 July 2013)[1] was a prominent American aerospace engineer, serving as NASA's Chief Engineer between 1983 and 1986.[2] He was involved in numerous manned spaceflight programs, including Mercury, Gemini and Apollo,[1] and also contributed to the investigation into the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.[3]
Early life, education and military career
Milton Silveira was born in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, in 1929.[1] His parents, Antonne and Carolinda Silveira, were immigrants from the Azores.[1] After finishing high school, he attended the University of Vermont, graduating with a BSc in mechanical engineering in 1951.[2] That same year, he began working for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), NASA's predecessor. However, he was soon called up to serve with the United States Army in the Korean War; by the end of the war, he had become the Chief Engineering and Maintenance Officer of the Eighth Army.[1]
In 1955, Silveira left the Army to work for NACA.[2] He continued his education simultaneously – in 1960, he received an MSc in aeronautical engineering from the University of Virginia,[2] and he conducted post-graduate work in Virginia and Texas between 1960 and 1968.[2]
NASA career
When NACA was replaced by NASA in 1958, Silveira continued working for it as an aerospace technologist.[2] In 1964, he became the deputy chief of the Aerodynamics Branch of NASA's Advanced Spaceflight Technology Division.[2] He oversaw the development of the Little Joe II launch vehicle,[1] and also worked on the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and Skylab programs.[1] He served as the engineering manager of the Space Shuttle program between 1969 and 1973.[2]
In 1983, after nearly a decade of mid-level involvement with the Space Shuttle program, Silveira became NASA's Chief Engineer.[2] In the aftermath of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in January 1986, he collaborated with an independent review board to investigate the causes of the disaster.[3] Silveira retired from NASA in 1987, though he retained many links to the organization.[1] He briefly worked for the Ford Aerospace Corporation, before becoming a consultant with the United States Department of Defense.[1]
Personal life
Silveira married Jane Rogers, with whom he had four children.[1] At the time of his death in 2013, he had seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.[1] Silveira was a docent of the National Gallery of Art, and was an amateur gourmet chef.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Milton Silveira Obituary". Houston Chronicle. 14 July 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Milton A. Silveira: Biographical Data Sheet" (PDF). NASA. 6 September 2006. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
- ^ a b "Top Nasa Engineer: `I Was Kept In The Dark`". UPI via Sun-Sentinel. 18 May 1986. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
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External links
- "Milton A. Silveira". Washington Post. 14 July 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2013.