Exploring the Unknown - NASA's History Office

Acknowledgments
This volume is the third in a series that had its origins almost a decade ago. The individuals
involved in initiating the series and producing the first two volumes have been acknowledged
in those volumes [Volume I—Organizing for Space (1995); Volume II—External
Relationships (1996)]; those acknowledgments will not be repeated here. An exception must
be made for NASA Chief Historian Roger D. Launius, who has become not only a strong
supporter of this series but also an essential collaborator in its implementation.
We owe thanks to the individuals and organizations that have searched their files for
potentially useful materials, and for the staffs at various archives and collections who have
helped us locate documents. Without question, first among them is Lee D. Saegesser of
the History Office at NASA Headquarters, who has helped compile the NASA Historical
Reference Collection that contains many of the documents selected for inclusion in this
work. All those in the future who will write on the history of the U.S. space program will
owe a debt of thanks to Lee; those who have already worked in this area realize his tireless
contributions.
At the Space Policy Institute, research associate David H. Onkst made so many contributions
to the organization of material for this volume that he deservedly has been listed as
co-editor. Graduate students Erin Hatch, Becky Dodder, Garth Henning, and David
Vaughn also helped in the preparation of the volume, and research Dwayne A. Day has continued
his involvement with the series while concentrating on his own research. The
overview essays for the satellite communications and remote-sensing sections were written
several years ago, before the decision to expand the series beyond the originally planned
two volumes. (The total is now up to six.) Ray A. Williamson helped update and expand
Pamela E. Mack’s discussion of remote sensing, and he has been added as the second
author of the essay. I made far fewer modifications to Joseph N. Pelton’s original essay on
satellite communications. When it became clear that a focus on economic issues would be
valuable, Henry Hertzfeld graciously agreed to oversee the collection of documents for that
section and to write the overview essay. Trish Mastrobuono and Julie Hudson of the
Institute staff have supported the effort throughout and, with graduate student Irena Slage,
helped create the document-scanning capability used in the final stages of the project.
My thanks go to all those mentioned above, and again to those who helped get this effort
started almost a decade ago.
John M. Logsdon, George Washington University
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