Homer E. Newell Jr.

Homer E. Newell Jr.
Dr. Newell explaining principles of altitude, pressure, and temperature, c. 1973
Born
Homer Edward Newell Jr.

March 11, 1915
DiedJuly 18, 1983 (aged 68)
Alma materHarvard University (BA, MA)
University of Wisconsin–Madison (PhD)
Occupation(s)Mathematics professor, NASA administrator
Known for
  • Chairing committee of scientists for establishment of a civilian space agency (NASA)
  • Drafting the first national plan for unmanned exploration of the Moon and planets
  • Developed NASA protocol for scientific experiment selection
Awards President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service (1965)
Signature

Homer Edward Newell Jr. (March 11, 1915 – July 18, 1983) was a mathematics professor and author who became a powerful United States government science administrator—eventually rising to the number three position at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In the early 1960s, he either controlled or influenced virtually all non-military uncrewed space missions for the free world.