Bob Schwinghammer

Bob Schwinghammer

Raised in Indiana, Bob was inspired into aviation by his uncles, and went to Purdue University for electrical engineering. However, his passion for aviation (and spaceflight) remained, and he would begin working in Huntsville in 1957 (beginning with the Redstone rocket, doing diagnostics for Manufacturing/Engineering). He recalls the progression from the Army Ballistic Missile Agency to NASA, as well as receiving a master's at MIT in 1967. Bob recalls several unique project experiences, emphasizing the team's ability to anticipate progress (including use of robotics in manufacturing). Bob also served in the Materials lab for 20 years; he recalls experiences here, as well as his involvement with Skylab. Eventually, Bob was moved into management positions, including associate director of the MSFC's technical aspect; he also spent significant time working in failure investigations (including work on righting hydrogen leaks from the Columbia shuttle, and developing the Space Station. Bob retired from Marshall in 1999, but as of recording had continued consulting for some time afterwards.

University of Alabama in Huntsville Archives and Special Collections, Huntsville, Alabama

2006-2

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Interviews

Video

Bob Schwinghammer (Space History Interviews).mp4

Lundquist, Charles

Schwinghammer, Bob

0:37:41