Charles Bartley facts for kids
Charles E. Bartley (born in 1921, died in 1996) was an American scientist. He is famous for creating the first type of flexible solid rocket fuel. He developed this important formula at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California. JPL is now a big part of NASA, America's space agency. Bartley made this discovery in the late 1940s.
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Charles Bartley: Rocket Fuel Pioneer
Charles Bartley was a true pioneer in rocket science. His work helped rockets fly higher and faster. He made a special kind of solid rocket fuel. This fuel was different because it was flexible, like rubber. This made it safer and more powerful for rockets.
Building Rocket Companies
In 1952, Bartley started his own company called Grand Central Rocket Company. It was located in Redlands, California. Just six years later, his company played a huge role in space history. They provided the fuel for the third stage of Explorer 1. This was America's very first satellite launched into space.
Bartley later sold Grand Central Rocket Company. But he didn't stop there! He went on to create two more companies. These companies also focused on solid rocket fuel.
- Rocket Power: He started this company in Mesa, Arizona, in 1959. It specialized in making rockets for weather research.
- Universal Propulsion Co.: He founded this company in Phœnix in 1963. This company made special rockets for ejection seats in jet planes. Ejection seats help pilots escape quickly in an emergency.
Awards and Recognition
Charles Bartley's amazing work was recognized by his peers. In 1951, he was chosen to be a member of the American Rocket Society. This group is now known as the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. In 1953, the society gave him a special award. This award was for his outstanding contributions to rocket science.
His Legacy
Charles Bartley's inventions changed how rockets were fueled. His work helped America's early space missions succeed. He was interviewed in 1994 for the JPL archives. This interview captured his memories and knowledge for future generations.
