Skip to main content Smithsonian Institution

Search Results

Collections Search Center
2,229 documents - page 1 of 112

A history of near-earth objects research Erik M. Conway, Donald K. Yeomans, Meg Rosenburg

Author:
Conway, Erik M. 1965-  Search this
Yeomans, Donald K  Search this
Rosenburg, Meg  Search this
Issuing body:
United States NASA History Division (2021- )  Search this
Subject:
United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration Research  Search this
Physical description:
x, 394 pages illustrations 24 cm
Type:
Books
History
Date:
2022
Topic:
Near-Earth objects--Research  Search this
Near-earth asteroids--Research  Search this
Collisions (Astrophysics)--Research  Search this
Asteroids--Collisions with Earth  Search this
Comets--Collisions with Earth  Search this
Impact craters--History  Search this
Astronomy--History  Search this
Hazard mitigation--International cooperation  Search this
Géocroiseurs--Recherche  Search this
Astéroïdes géocroiseurs--Recherche  Search this
Collisions (Astrophysique)--Recherche  Search this
Astéroïdes--Collisions avec la Terre  Search this
Comètes--Collisions avec la Terre  Search this
Cratères d'impact--Histoire  Search this
Astronomie--Histoire  Search this
Catastrophes--Réduction--Coopération internationale  Search this
Astronomy  Search this
Impact craters  Search this
Research  Search this
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_1160482

NACA to NASA to now the frontiers of air and space in the American century Roger D. Launius

Title:
Frontiers of air and space in the American century
National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics to National Aeronautics and Space Administration to now
Author:
Launius, Roger D.,  Search this
Issuing body:
United States NASA History Program Office  Search this
Subject:
United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration History  Search this
United States National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics History  Search this
Physical description:
x, 279 pages Illustrations 24 cm
Type:
Books
History
Place:
United States
États-Unis
Date:
2022
Topic:
Aeronautics--History  Search this
Aéronautique--Histoire  Search this
Aeronautics  Search this
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_1160484

Exhibition Records, 1972, 1981, 1983-2013, and undated

Creator:
National Air and Space Museum (U.S.) Space History Department  Search this
Subject:
Neal, Valerie  Search this
National Air and Space Museum (U.S.) Space History Division  Search this
National Air and Space Museum (U.S.) Department of Space History  Search this
National Air and Space Museum (U.S.) Department of Space Science and Exploration  Search this
United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration  Search this
Where Next, Columbus? (Exhibition) (1992-2002: Washington, D.C.)  Search this
Moving Beyond Earth (Exhibition) (2009-2022: Washington, D.C.)  Search this
Space Race (Exhibition) (1997-2022: Washington, D.C.)  Search this
The Violent Universe (Exhibition) (1996: Washington, D.C.)  Search this
How Things Fly (Exhibition) (1996-2020: Washington, D.C.)  Search this
Star Trek (Exhibition) (1992-1993: Washington, D.C.)  Search this
All Systems Go: America's Space Transportation Systems for the 1990s (Traveling Exhibition) (1989)  Search this
America's Space Truck: The Space Shuttle (Exhibition) (1987-1998: Washington, D.C.)  Search this
Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (Exhibition) (1986-1997: Washington, D.C.)  Search this
America's Smithsonian (Traveling exhibition) (1995-1998)  Search this
Physical description:
8 cu. ft. (8 record storage boxes)
Type:
Manuscripts
Collection descriptions
Clippings
Brochures
Pamphlets
Newsletters
Transcripts
Digital versatile discs
Floppy disks
Electronic records
Illustrations
Floor plans
Drawings
Black-and-white negatives
Black-and-white photographs
Black-and-white transparencies
Color negatives
Color photographs
Color transparencies
Place:
Outer space
Date:
1972
1972-2013
1972, 1981, 1983-2013, and undated
Topic:
Aeronautical museums  Search this
Astronautical museums  Search this
Museum curators  Search this
Museum exhibits  Search this
Traveling exhibitions  Search this
Space sciences  Search this
Museums--Collection management  Search this
Exploration  Search this
Local number:
SIA Acc. 22-109
See more items in:
Exhibition Records 1969-2017 [National Air and Space Museum (U.S.) Space History Department]
Data Source:
Smithsonian Institution Archives
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_arc_404814

Anne Thompson Bray Papers

Creator:
Bray, Anne Thompson  Search this
Names:
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration  Search this
Extent:
0.58 Cubic feet (One letter document case and one flat box.)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Press releases
Scrapbooks
Date:
1960s, 1992, 2009
Summary:
This collection consists of three binders containing science news releases and a scrapbook containing photographs of Anne Thompson Bray and other the staff at the the Space News Roundup .
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of three binders containing science news releases: "The Fledging Science Writer Vol 1" October 1965 through March 1966, containing astronaut by-liners and non-space topics; "The Fledging Science Writer Vol. 2," April 1966 through September 1966, containing spouse and family astronaut families topics; and [Vol. 3], containing flight technical topics. These folders include both the releases by World Book Encyclopedia Science Services (including ones written by Anne Thompson Bray) as well as the accompanying black and white photographs, some from NASA and some taken by World Book staff photographers. The collection also includes a scrapbook containing photographs of Anne Thompson Bray and other the staff at the Space News Roundup .
Arrangement:
No arrangement.
Biographical / Historical:
Anne Thompson Bray (1934–2009) graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Journalism. Bray then went to work for the Fayetteville Observer before joining the NASA's Public Affairs staff first as a staff writer and then as the editor of the Space News Roundup , the official newspaper of the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center (now Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center). From April 1962 until July of 1963 Bray covered the Mercury Space Program from Houston, Texas. After the Mercury Space Program was completed, she left the civil service and worked for Cornet Magazine and Ford Aerospace, the Aerospace and Defense Division of Ford Motor Company. Bray also worked with World Book Encyclopedia Science Services.
Provenance:
Jessica Moyd Smith, Gift, 2020, NASM.2021.0004
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Topic:
Astronautics  Search this
Mercury Project  Search this
Astronauts  Search this
Genre/Form:
Press releases -- 20th century
Scrapbooks -- 1950-2000
Citation:
Anne Thompson Bray Papers, NASM.2021.0004, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier:
NASM.2021.0004
See more items in:
Anne Thompson Bray Papers
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2d079e4f7-444a-4cda-95b7-523b25601133
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nasm-2021-0004
Online Media:

Subject Files, 2011-2012

Creator:
National Air and Space Museum (U.S.) Collections Division  Search this
Subject:
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center  Search this
Discovery (Spacecraft)  Search this
Enterprise (Space shuttle)  Search this
United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration  Search this
Physical description:
0.5 cu. ft. (1 document box)
Type:
Manuscripts
Collection descriptions
Maps
Date:
2011
2011-2012
Topic:
Aeronautical museums  Search this
Astronautical museums  Search this
Space shuttles  Search this
Special events  Search this
Museums--Collection management  Search this
Local number:
SIA Acc. 23-001
Restrictions & Rights:
Restricted for 15 years, until Jan-01-2028; Transferring office; 1/25/2017 memorandum, Milhoan to Bobrow; Contact reference staff for details
See more items in:
Subject Files 1961, 1969-2009, 2011-2012 [National Air and Space Museum (U.S.) Collections Division]
Data Source:
Smithsonian Institution Archives
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_arc_404794

Apollo XI Certificate

Creator:
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration  Search this
Names:
Apollo 11 (Spacecraft)  Search this
Extent:
0.25 Cubic feet (1 box)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Certificates
Date:
bulk 1969
Scope and Contents:
This mass-produced certificate appears to have been presented to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) employees in appreciation for their support of the Apollo Program. The item measures 16 by 20 inches and has color illustrations, including one of the Apollo Lunar Module (LM) on the Moon with two astronauts in the foreground. Besides the illustrations, the certificate has printed signatures of the three Apollo 11 astronauts as well as Ozro M. Covington, Assistant Director for Manned Flight Support; Dale W. Call, Network Director; and James M. Stevens, Network Operations Manager. There is one authentic signature, which is for George W. Farris, Station Director for NASA at Goldstone California Space Flight Tracking and Data Network Station in Barstow, California. This particular certificate was presented to Joe Leachman.
Provenance:
Jeannie Fowlston, Gift, 2013
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Topic:
Astronautics  Search this
Manned space flight  Search this
Genre/Form:
Certificates
Citation:
Apollo XI Certificate, Accession 2014.0009, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier:
NASM.2014.0009
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg22b0fb67e-8ab5-4ff0-b985-4836efac4008
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nasm-2014-0009
Online Media:

NASA's first Space Shuttle astronaut selection redefining the right stuff David J. Shayler, Colin Burgess

Author:
Shayler, David 1955-  Search this
Author:
Burgess, Colin 1947-  Search this
Subject:
Space Shuttle Program (U.S.) History  Search this
United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration History  Search this
Physical description:
1 online resource (xxxiii, 589 pages) illustrations (some color), portraits (some color)
Type:
Electronic resources
History
Place:
United States
États-Unis
Date:
2020
Topic:
Astronauts--Selection and appointment  Search this
Astronautes--Sélection et nomination  Search this
Astronautics  Search this
Aerospace & aviation technology  Search this
Popular astronomy & space  Search this
Science--Astrophysics & Space Science  Search this
TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING--Aeronautics & Astronautics  Search this
SCIENCE--Astronomy  Search this
Aerospace engineering  Search this
Astronomy  Search this
Space sciences  Search this
Call number:
TL789.8.U6 .S539 2020 (Internet)
Restrictions & Rights:
1-user
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_1159861

David Vetter Collection

Creator:
Vetter, David, 1971-1984  Search this
Texas Children's Hospital  Search this
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration  Search this
Collector:
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Science, Medicine, and Society  Search this
Donor:
Vetter, Carol Ann  Search this
Vetter, David J., Jr.  Search this
Extent:
4.6 Cubic feet (9 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Photographs
Financial records
Reprints
Periodicals
Reports
Specifications
School records
Student drawings
Correspondence
Legislative documents
Articles
Trade literature
Manuals
Date:
1971-1986
Summary:
Papers document David Vetter, a Texas boy with a rare disease known as Severe Combined Immune Deficiency. His life in a special isolation unit received widespread publicity.
Scope and Contents:
Papers relating to David Vetter, a Texas boy with a rare disease known as Severe Combined Immune Deficiency. The papers document his and his family's efforts to maintain normalcy in his life in spite of the limitations imposed by his disease, and medical efforts to reduce or cope with the limitations. A special suit was designed for David by NASA scientists to give him mobility, and the papers include documentation of the development and implementation of the suit.

The collection includes letters, greeting cards, photographs, medical records and internal hospital memoranda and documents from the Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, procedure manuals for the isolation unit, specifications for the space suit, David's school records and school art projects, receipts and other financial papers, trade literature for products used in creating the sterile isolation unit, medical journals, newspaper and magazine articles, and clippings. The collection also includes a project created by high school students in 1985 about David's life and legislation to honor David with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into seven series.

Series 1: Correspondence and Press, 1971-1985

Series 2: Mobile Biological Isolation System (MBIS), 1973-1983

Series 3: Medical Publications, 1972-1983

Series 4: Personal Papers, 1978-1983

Series 5: Nimitz High School Project, 1985

Series 6: Texas Children's Hospital Medical Records, 1965-1989

Series 7: Photographs, 1974-1983
Biographical / Historical:
David Vetter (1971-1984) was a Texas boy who was born with Severe Combined Immune Deficiency, a disease which required him to live in a sterile, plastic isolation unit. NASA scientists designed and created a special suit for David, which resembled astronauts' space suits. His parents, family, church, doctors, and community all made efforts to enable him to have a normal childhood and life. At age 12, he underwent experimental bone marrow surgery, which was not successful, and David died a few months later. The bone marrow donor, David's sister Katherine, carried a dormant strand of the Epstein-Barr virus which was not detected by the pre-operation screens. He was removed from the bubble in February of 1984 and died 15 days later.
Related Materials:
Materials in the Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Shriners Hospital Patient Isolation Unit Records, NMAH.AC.1142

Materials in the Division of Medicine and Science, National Museum of American History

Related objects include action figure toys, a t-shirt, and a space suit. See accessioons: 1986.0201 and 1986.0450.
Provenance:
The collection was donated by David Vetter's parents, David and Carol Ann Vetter in 1986.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Some health-related materials in Series 3: Medical Publications, Series 6: Texas Children's Hospital Medical Records, and Series 7: Photographs are restricted until 2034. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Immunological deficiency syndromes  Search this
Space suits  Search this
Hospitals  Search this
Severe combined immunodeficiency  Search this
Immune diseases  Search this
Isolation (Hospital care)  Search this
Greeting cards -- 20th century  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs -- 20th century
Financial records -- 20th century
Reprints
Periodicals
Reports -- 1950-1980
Specifications
School records
Student drawings
Correspondence -- 20th century
Legislative documents
Articles -- 20th century
Trade literature
Manuals
Citation:
David Vetter Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.1133
See more items in:
David Vetter Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep841388a2d-7b6b-47e5-8696-e8ea3b315391
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-1133
Online Media:

Kalpana Chawla Collection

Creator:
Chawla, Kalpana, 1961-2003  Search this
Names:
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration  Search this
Extent:
16.75 Cubic feet (12 flat boxes, 6 record center boxes, 6 document boxes, one map folder, and 25 VHS tapes.)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Correspondence
Photographs
Date:
1980s -2000s
Summary:
This collection consists of 16 cubic feet of archival material relating to the astronaut career of Kalpana Chawla, 1980s-2000s.
This collection is in English.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of 16 cubic feet of material relating to the astronaut career of Kalpana Chawla, 1980s-2000s. The collection includes the following types of archival material: photographs, correspondence, news articles and related documentation. The correspondence is between Kalpana Chawla and her immediate family, as well as condolence letters and e-mails received by the family after her tragic death.
Arrangement:
Arranged by type and shipment.
Biographical / Historical:
Kalpana Chawla was the first woman of Indian origin to become a NASA astronaut and fly on space missions. Born and educated in India (Karnal, Punjab), she came to the United States for graduate education in aerospace engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and the University of Colorado. After earning a Ph.D. in 1988, she began work at NASA's Ames Research Center in computational fluid dynamics. Selected into the astronaut corps in 1994, she first flew as a mission specialist and robotic arm operator for the STS-87 microgravity research mission on Columbia in 1997. Her second flight on Columbia, the STS-107 research mission in 2003, ended tragically when the damaged orbiter disintegrated during its return through the atmosphere and the entire crew perished. Even before her untimely death, Chawla was a national hero in India, having risen from humble beginnings to attain the remarkable achievement of spaceflight. In India, schools and scholarships are named in her honor and her birthday is widely celebrated, and she is also memorialized in the United States. Her ashes were scattered in Zion National Park, Utah.
Provenance:
Sunita Chaudhry, Gift, 2020, NASM.2020.0004
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Topic:
Space Shuttle Orbiter  Search this
Space flight  Search this
Space Shuttle Remote Manipulator Arm  Search this
Space Shuttles, Columbia (OV-102)  Search this
Genre/Form:
Correspondence -- 20th century
Photographs -- 20th century
Citation:
Kalpana Chawla Collection, NASM.2020.0004, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier:
NASM.2020.0004
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg27226df63-1f97-46d2-9c73-ae4e9a4964f3
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nasm-2020-0004

Kathryn D. Sullivan Papers

Creator:
Sullivan, Kathryn  Search this
Names:
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration  Search this
Extent:
15.23 Cubic feet (34 boxes.)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Photographs
Correspondence
Reports
Date:
1970s - 2010s
Summary:
This collection consists of approximately 15.23 cubic feet of papers, photographs, certificates, and video/film, created or collected by Kathryn Sullivan, spanning her lifetime of achievement.
Scope and Contents:
Scope and Content Note:

The Kathryn D. Sullivan Papers (acc. no. 2019-0007) reflect Dr. Sullivan's broad, restless curiosity regarding oceanography, geology, engineering, astronomy, space exploration and education advocacy. Sullivan's great contributions as a scientist, educator, astronaut and explorer are quite evident in this collection.

For the most part, this collection encompasses Dr. Sullivan's years spent as a NASA astronaut, with the U.S. Naval Reserve (USNR), as well as her post-NASA career as a federal government administrator, educator, scientist and explorer; roughly, from the 1970s through the 2010s. There is some material however, that dates back prior to this time span. This collection is a mixture of the following materials: correspondence, memoranda, notes, reports technical manuals, flight logs, photographs, speeches, news releases, papers, books, brochures, pamphlets, journals, magazines, articles and day planners. Additionally, there are some materials stored in oversized containers that include newspapers or sections of newspapers, Dr. Sullivan's Ph.D. dissertation from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, certificates and awards, a photograph album, as well as matted photographs pertaining to her Space Shuttle flights (STS-41G, STS-31 and STS-45) and the Hubble Space Telescope (HST).

Upon receiving the Kathryn D. Sullivan Papers, the processing archivist did discern some order to this collection. Some materials, such as photographs, reports and speeches, tended to be grouped together. Other materials were threaded throughout in a more random fashion. Furthermore, most of the archival items had been already placed in some sort of files or folders. The processing archivist did rehouse these materials utilizing archival-friendly file folders and legal-size document cases.

This collection is arranged into three series. The first series is composed of personal materials that include correspondence, photographs, postcards, business cards and transcripts. Each type of archival material is organized chronologically and then alphabetically. The second series consists of professional materials and is by far and away the largest segment of the Kathryn D. Sullivan Papers. This series is arranged as follows: Dr. Sullivan's correspondence, memoranda, notes, reports, manuals (mainly Space Shuttle program-related), flight logs, photographs, speeches, news releases, policy directives and educational course materials, papers, Congressional hearings and testimony, books, brochures, catalogs and pamphlets, magazines and journals, certificates, articles, and miscellaneous materials (such as agendas, programs, day planners and photographic slides). All the above material is arranged chronologically and then alphabetically. The third series is composed of oversize materials. This material consists of newspapers or sections of newspapers (mainly focused on the Space Shuttle Challenger accident of 1986), Dr. Sullivan's Ph.D. dissertation, a photograph album, awards and certificates, as well as matted photographs, largely pertaining to her three Space Shuttle flights and the Hubble Space telescope (HST).

Please note: the initials "KDS" refer to Kathryn D. Sullivan.
Arrangement:
This collection is arranged into three series. The first series is composed of personal materials that include correspondence, photographs, postcards, business cards and transcripts. Each type of archival material is organized chronologically and then alphabetically. The second series consists of professional materials and is by far and away the largest segment of the Kathryn D. Sullivan Papers. This series is arranged as follows: Dr. Sullivan's correspondence, memoranda, notes, reports, manuals (mainly Space Shuttle program-related), flight logs, photographs, speeches, news releases, policy directives and educational course materials, papers, Congressional hearings and testimony, books, brochures, catalogs and pamphlets, magazines and journals, certificates, articles, and miscellaneous materials (such as agendas, programs, day planners and photographic slides). All the above material is arranged chronologically and then alphabetically. The third series is composed of oversize materials. This material consists of newspapers or sections of newspapers (mainly focused on the Space Shuttle Challenger accident of 1986), Dr. Sullivan's Ph.D. dissertation, a photograph album, awards and certificates, as well as matted photographs, largely pertaining to her three Space Shuttle flights and the Hubble Space telescope (HST).
Biographical / Historical:
Kathryn D. Sullivan was born on October 3, 1951, in Paterson, New Jersey. Several years later, the Sullivan family relocated to California where her father proceeded to work in the aerospace field. After graduating from high school in 1969, Sullivan received a Bachelor of Science degree in earth sciences from the University of California at Santa Cruz. In 1978, she earned her Ph.D. in geology from Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. During her time at Dalhousie, Sullivan participated in several oceanographic expeditions that studied the floors of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

In 1977, Sullivan applied for a position as astronaut candidate for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Her application was successful and she was accepted as part of the first group of six women astronauts hired by the space agency. Training and evaluation commenced in 1978 and was completed the following year. Dr. Sullivan was now an official astronaut, qualified for selection on space flight crews. She would make her first flight aboard NASA's new fleet of Space Shuttles five years later. This flight, designated STS-41G (Space Transportation System), lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on October 5, 1984. While circling the Earth from the orbiter Challenger, Dr. Sullivan performed the first spacewalk or EVA (extra-vehicular activity) by an American woman. During her second shuttle flight, designated STS-31, she flew aboard the orbiter Discovery. Lifting off from KSC on April 24, 1990, she actively participated in deploying the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) into Earth orbit. Her third and final space flight occurred aboard Discovery once more, from March 24 to April 2, 1992. Dr. Sullivan served as Payload Commander on this mission, designated STS-45 - the first flight of Spacelab dedicated to NASA's Mission to Planet Earth program. In 1993, she retired from NASA but, not before logging a total of 532 hours in space.

Hand in hand with her NASA career, Dr. Sullivan also served her country with the U.S. Naval Reserve (USNR). In 1988, she became a direct commissioned officer with the rank of lieutenant commander. Two years later, Dr. Sullivan was given command of a specialized unit of oceanographers and meteorologists that was based at Naval Air Station Dallas. This facility provided support to the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command Center on the island of Guam. By the time of her retirement from the USNR in 2006, she had attained the rank of captain.

Though retired from NASA, Dr. Sullivan has since maintained a very active life. Aside from her work as an USNR officer that continued into the first years of the 21st century, she also served as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ohio's Center of Science and Industry (COSI). Under her leadership, COSI enhanced its impact on science teaching in the classroom, as well as its national reputation as an innovator of hands-on, inquiry-based science learning resources. Additionally, from 2006-2011, she acted as Director for Ohio State University's Battelle Center for Mathematics and Science Education Policy while continuing with COSI as a volunteer science advisor.

Two decades after leaving NASA, Dr. Sullivan reentered public service within the federal government. In 2011, the Obama administration nominated, and the U.S. Senate confirmed, her as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction and Deputy Administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Moreover, starting in early 2013, she served as acting NOAA Administrator. The following year, she was confirmed by the Senate as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and simultaneously, as NOAA Administrator. She remained in these positions until early 2017.

Upon her retirement from government service, Dr. Sullivan was selected for the 2017 Charles A. Lindbergh Chair of Aerospace History Fellowship, at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum (NASM). During her time with the museum as a Fellow, she focused her research energies on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Based on this research, Dr. Sullivan wrote her book, Handprints on Hubble: An Astronaut's Story of Invention, which was released in 2019.

Dr. Sullivan's life as an explorer, researcher, scientist and public servant continued into the early 2020s. In 2020, she ventured aboard a specially equipped submarine to the bottom of the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench of the Pacific Ocean, becoming the first woman to reach the deepest known point of all of Earth's oceans, as well as the first person to travel to both the Challenger Deep and aboard the shuttle Challenger (and later, Discovery) into outer space. Also, late that year, Dr. Sullivan was named a volunteer member of President-Elect Biden's presidential transition Agency Review team to help facilitate transition efforts connected to the Commerce Department. In 2021, President Biden appointed her to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

During her decades in public life, Dr. Sullivan has had many honors bestowed upon her and earned numerous awards – too numerous to list all of them here. The following is merely a sample: NASA Space Flight Medal (1984 and 1990), the National Air and Space Museum Trophy, Smithsonian Institution (1985), NASA Exceptional Service Medal (1988 and 1991), NASA Medal for Outstanding Leadership ((1992), Ohio Veteran's Hall of Fame (2001), Ohio Women's Hall of Fame (2002), inductee into the Astronaut Hall of Fame (2004) and the Aviation Week & Space Technology Aerospace Legend Award (2005). Additionally, she has received honorary degrees from multiple colleges, including ones from Brown University and Willamette University.
Provenance:
Kathryn D. Sullivan, Gift, 2018, NASM.2019.0007
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Topic:
Astronautics  Search this
Manned space flight  Search this
Space Shuttle Program (U.S.)  Search this
Space sciences  Search this
Hubble (Large) Space Telescope  Search this
Oceanography  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs
Correspondence
Reports
Citation:
Kathryn D. Sullivan Papers, NASM.2019.0007, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier:
NASM.2019.0007
See more items in:
Kathryn D. Sullivan Papers
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2f15d66b1-23b3-47f0-97f1-e66162046440
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nasm-2019-0007
Online Media:

Correspondence and Press

Collection Creator:
Vetter, David, 1971-1984  Search this
Texas Children's Hospital  Search this
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1971-1985
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Some health-related materials in Series 3: Medical Publications, Series 6: Texas Children's Hospital Medical Records, and Series 7: Photographs are restricted until 2034. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
David Vetter Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.1133, Series 1
See more items in:
David Vetter Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep860ff560a-2dbc-4e69-904d-7b983eee3c05
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1133-ref513

Mobile Biological Isolation System (MBIS)

Collection Creator:
Vetter, David, 1971-1984  Search this
Texas Children's Hospital  Search this
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1973-1983
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Some health-related materials in Series 3: Medical Publications, Series 6: Texas Children's Hospital Medical Records, and Series 7: Photographs are restricted until 2034. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
David Vetter Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.1133, Series 2
See more items in:
David Vetter Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8b812e36b-0d3c-48e8-a2cf-33908999d564
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1133-ref514

Medical Publications

Collection Creator:
Vetter, David, 1971-1984  Search this
Texas Children's Hospital  Search this
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1972-1983
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Some health-related materials in Series 3: Medical Publications, Series 6: Texas Children's Hospital Medical Records, and Series 7: Photographs are restricted until 2034. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
David Vetter Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.1133, Series 3
See more items in:
David Vetter Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8d29677ec-2211-4c1f-90d6-107743591e12
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1133-ref515

Personal Papers

Collection Creator:
Vetter, David, 1971-1984  Search this
Texas Children's Hospital  Search this
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1978-1983
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Some health-related materials in Series 3: Medical Publications, Series 6: Texas Children's Hospital Medical Records, and Series 7: Photographs are restricted until 2034. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
David Vetter Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.1133, Series 4
See more items in:
David Vetter Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8782cf0c5-f166-49da-8046-06b34b9ae0fd
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1133-ref516

Nimitz High School Project

Collection Creator:
Vetter, David, 1971-1984  Search this
Texas Children's Hospital  Search this
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1985
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Some health-related materials in Series 3: Medical Publications, Series 6: Texas Children's Hospital Medical Records, and Series 7: Photographs are restricted until 2034. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
David Vetter Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.1133, Series 5
See more items in:
David Vetter Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8fb2c556e-0aae-4f9c-9618-cadb65e8e1b9
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1133-ref517

Texas Children's Hospital Medical Records

Collection Creator:
Vetter, David, 1971-1984  Search this
Texas Children's Hospital  Search this
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1965-1989
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Some health-related materials in Series 3: Medical Publications, Series 6: Texas Children's Hospital Medical Records, and Series 7: Photographs are restricted until 2034. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
David Vetter Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.1133, Series 6
See more items in:
David Vetter Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep89bfc1db6-d139-439c-a163-7905e5c31aa4
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1133-ref518

Photographs

Collection Creator:
Vetter, David, 1971-1984  Search this
Texas Children's Hospital  Search this
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1974-1983
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Some health-related materials in Series 3: Medical Publications, Series 6: Texas Children's Hospital Medical Records, and Series 7: Photographs are restricted until 2034. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
David Vetter Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.1133, Series 7
See more items in:
David Vetter Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep85021b1c7-3f38-456f-a89f-cfd7a4f7230e
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1133-ref519

Correspondence from the Public

Collection Creator:
Vetter, David, 1971-1984  Search this
Texas Children's Hospital  Search this
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration  Search this
Container:
Box 1, Folder 1
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1971-1974
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Some health-related materials in Series 3: Medical Publications, Series 6: Texas Children's Hospital Medical Records, and Series 7: Photographs are restricted until 2034. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
David Vetter Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
David Vetter Collection
David Vetter Collection / Series 1: Correspondence and Press
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep81d11834f-6ada-44db-9e81-e5643825e8e7
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1133-ref520

David Vetter Bibliography

Collection Creator:
Vetter, David, 1971-1984  Search this
Texas Children's Hospital  Search this
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration  Search this
Container:
Box 1, Folder 2
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1977
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Some health-related materials in Series 3: Medical Publications, Series 6: Texas Children's Hospital Medical Records, and Series 7: Photographs are restricted until 2034. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
David Vetter Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
David Vetter Collection
David Vetter Collection / Series 1: Correspondence and Press
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep866b8a539-5516-4e0a-9009-04708c7dd734
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1133-ref521

Press Release (Death)

Collection Creator:
Vetter, David, 1971-1984  Search this
Texas Children's Hospital  Search this
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration  Search this
Container:
Box 1, Folder 3
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1985
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Some health-related materials in Series 3: Medical Publications, Series 6: Texas Children's Hospital Medical Records, and Series 7: Photographs are restricted until 2034. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
David Vetter Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
David Vetter Collection
David Vetter Collection / Series 1: Correspondence and Press
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep80ec90b02-515a-4858-b416-1bfbde1648fc
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1133-ref522

Modify Your Search







or


Narrow By