Ralph M. Hoodless, Jr. Collection

Collection

Identifier: Space

Staff Only

Dates

Creation: Majority of material found within 1957 - 1993

Creator

Hoodless, Jr., Ralph M. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research in the Archives & Special Collections reading room. Handling guidelines and use restrictions will be communicated and enforced by archives staff members.

Conditions Governing Use

This material may be protected under U. S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S. Code) which governs the making of photocopies or reproductions of copyrighted materials. You may use the digitized material for private study, scholarship, or research. Though the University of Alabama in Huntsville Archives and Special Collections has physical ownership of the material in its collections, in some cases we may not own the copyright to the material. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in our collections.

Biographical / Historical

Ralph M. Hoodless, Jr. (August 13, 1934 - February 16, 2022) served in the US Army then later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering, a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and completed work towards a Masters' degree in Aeronautical Engineering all at Auburn University (Ralph M Hoodless, Jr. - Obituary). "Mr. Hoodless began his professional career as a propulsion systems engineer, with NASA/MSFC at Redstone Arsenal, AL. He was heavily involved in propulsion systems design and development and flight operations of the S-IVB stage of the Saturn IB and V vehicles. He led technical studies to define comcepts for the new space shuttle" (Ralph M Hoodless, Jr. - Obituary). He was the Design and Development Manager for the Spacelab Program for about five years then became the Manager of Operations and Logistics for Spacelab. "He became the Manager for the Logistics Elements for the Space Station Freedom with responsibility for the design and development of the Space Station Logistics hardware and support systems. He was given a special assignment in NASA Headquarters as Director of the Commerical Space Facility Program" (Ralph M Hoodless, Jr. - Obituary). After completing this assignment, Mr. Hoodless returned to MSFC "as the Deputy Manager for the Advanced Launch System (ALS)" (Ralph M Hoodless, Jr. - Obituary). He was also the Manager of the Automatic Rendezvous and Capture Project. "Later he was assigned as the Director of the Preliminary Design Office of Program Development where he served until he retired" (Ralph M Hoodless, Jr. - Obituary).He retired as a Senior Executive "after serving the government 38 1/2 years" (Ralph M Hoodless, Jr. - Obituary). During his career, Mr. Hoodless received many awards, including "the NASA Exceptional Service Medal which he received for his contributions in the development and implementation of operational capabilities for the Spacelab Program in the US and in Europe" (Ralph M Hoodless, Jr. - Obituary). Sources: "Ralph M Hoodless, Jr. - Obituary." Laughlin Service Funeral Home and Crematory, https://www.laughlinservice.com/obituaries/Ralph-M-Hoodless-Jr?obId=24049033.

Extent

2 Linear feet (2 boxes.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Paul Hoodless, 2023.

Processing Information

Collections are processed to a variety of levels, depending on the work necessary to make them usable, their perceived research value, the availability of staff, and competing priorities. The library attempts to provide a basic level of preservation and access for all collections as they are acquired and does more extensive processing of higher priority collections as time and resources permit.