Charles Mauldin Collection

Collection

Identifier: MC-60

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Various Space Transportation System flight overviews, Shuttle countdowns, Shuttle countdown schedules, brochures, information kits, photographs, overviews, documents, critical items lists, NASA engineering handbook, Challenger accident documents, reports, STS-51-L Failure Progression Scenario, reporter's space flight note pad (1991-06), critical design review kickoffs, Shuttle Upgrades Management Plan, Space Shuttle Rocket Booster documents, Launch Vehicle Operations for Support of Space Vehicle Countdown Demonstration - Test and Launch Countdown documents, K-500 Type Telephone Circuit Wiring Diagram, Saturn V flight manual, Saturn S-IVB Training Graphics Systems Familiarization (1965-01 and 1967-10), Shuttle upgrade documents, Marshall Space Flight Center - Anniversary Report, 1960-1985, VHS tapes.

Dates

Creation: 1958 - 2008-09-08

Creator

Mauldin, Charles (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

Charles Mauldin was employed at NASA from 1963 to 1994. He worked on many high-profile NASA projects, such as the Apollo Program and the Space Shuttle program. Mauldin was the Director of System Safety and Reliability when he retired.

Mauldin was born on February 15, 1938, in Birmingham, Alabama. He attended Phillips High School and graduated in 1955. He then attended Auburn University, where he participated in ROTC. In December 1960, Mauldin received his degree in electrical engineering and was then employed by NASA at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, for four months.

Mauldin joined the United States Military Army Division in May 1961 to honor his commitment in the ROTC. NASA permitted him to take military leave for two years with the understanding that he would come back to work for them. Mauldin was stationed at a missile master site, where he was able to gain practical experience working on electrical systems. He served until May 1963. After his time in the Army, Mauldin returned to Alabama to resume his work for NASA in the Components Test Laboratory. He designed systems that tested rocket engines and components of engines. In addition to his position at the Marshall Space Flight Center, Mauldin served in the Army Reserves until 1968.

From February to August 1968, Mauldin worked at the Kennedy Space Center before returning to Huntsville. After resuming his position at the Marshall Space Flight Center, Mauldin was moved to the Astrionics Laboratory in the Electrical Division, where he developed electrical systems.

Mauldin’s time in the Astrionics Laboratory enabled him to work on several of NASA’s major projects. These projects include the Apollo Program and the Saturn V rockets. He was involved in launch support for all of the Saturn V models while he worked in the Astrionics Laboratory. In addition, he acted as project engineer for the electrical systems on the Lunar Rover.

Mauldin was a member of the Lunar Rover Model Quick Response Team, where he worked with mission control to solve any issue that arose and answer questions. As a part of this team, Mauldin was one of the members that gave NASA the confidence to continue with the Apollo 17 launch despite an electrical issue. Mauldin states that they ran simulations and consulted their blueprints and drawings to verify whether it was safe to continue.

In 1973, Mauldin worked on the electrical networks for the Solid Rocket Booster Integration for the Space Shuttle. In 1976, he became the chief for the Solid Rocket Booster Integration. He was the chief in 1981 during the successful launch of the Space Shuttle. Mauldin was also a member of the Accidents Investigation Team during this time. After the Challenger tragedy, NASA created a new position for the Director of System Safety and Reliability. Mauldin was offered the position, but initially declined because he wished to continue being a part of the design team. After reconsidering, Mauldin decided to accept the position. He remained in this position from 1989 until his retirement in 1994. Mauldin spent a total of 33 years working for NASA. He was retired for six years before he began work consulting on different projects.

Mauldin passed away in Huntsville, Alabama, on March 1, 2011.

Sources:

“Charles Mauldin Collection”. http://libarchstor.uah.edu:8081/repositories /2/resources/62.

“Charles Mauldin Obituary”. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/huntsville/name/ charles-mauldin-obituary?id=20887614.

“Charles Mauldin (Space History Interviews)”. https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=eIt-ezoJesY.

Extent

6 Linear feet (5 boxes + 1 oversize box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Susan Mauldin, 2011.

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.