Jack Parsons (rocket engineer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jack Parsons
|
|
|---|---|
Parsons in 1941
|
|
| Born |
Marvel Whiteside Parsons
October 2, 1914 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
|
| Died | June 17, 1952 (aged 37) Pasadena, California, U.S.
|
| Cause of death | Explosion |
| Resting place | Mojave Desert |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | John Whiteside Parsons |
| Alma mater | Pasadena Junior College Stanford University University of Southern California (no degrees) |
| Occupation | Rocket engineer, scientist, businessman, occultist |
| Organization | Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology Aerojet Engineering Corporation North American Aviation Hughes Aircraft Company |
| Spouse(s) | Helen Parsons-Smith (née Northrup) (1935–46; divorced) Marjorie Cameron (1946–52; his death) |
John Whiteside Parsons (born Marvel Whiteside Parsons; October 2, 1914 – June 17, 1952) was an American rocket engineer and chemist. He helped start important organizations like the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Aerojet Engineering Corporation. Parsons was a pioneer in rocket science. He invented a new type of rocket fuel that could be molded. He also helped develop both liquid and solid-fuel rockets.
Contents
Early Life and Education
John Parsons was born in Los Angeles, California. He grew up with a strong interest in science fiction and rockets. As a teenager, he wrote letters to famous rocket scientists. He even corresponded with Wernher von Braun, a German rocket scientist. Parsons attended Pasadena Junior College. He also studied at Stanford University and the University of Southern California. However, he never completed a degree.
Pioneering Rocket Science
Parsons was a self-taught rocket expert. He joined a group of fellow rocket enthusiasts. They called themselves the "Suicide Squad." This group worked at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). They conducted early rocket experiments in the Arroyo Seco canyon. These experiments were very important. They helped lay the groundwork for modern rocketry.
Founding JPL and Aerojet
In 1944, the "Suicide Squad" officially became the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). JPL is now a major research center for NASA. Parsons also helped create the Aerojet Engineering Corporation. This company made rocket engines for aircraft. His work was key to developing JATO units. These units helped planes take off faster.
Innovations in Rocket Fuel
Parsons made big breakthroughs in rocket fuel. He invented the first castable composite rocket propellant. This meant the fuel could be shaped easily. It also made rockets more powerful and reliable. His inventions were crucial for future rocket designs. They are still used in space travel today. For example, his ideas helped develop the Space Shuttle.
Personal Life and Other Interests
Parsons was known for his unique personality. Besides science, he had many other interests. He was involved in a spiritual movement called Thelema. This was founded by Aleister Crowley, who Parsons admired. Parsons also became friends with L. Ron Hubbard, who later founded Scientology. Parsons' life ended tragically in 1952. He died in an explosion at his home laboratory.
Legacy
John Parsons left a lasting impact on rocket science. His work at JPL and Aerojet was foundational. He helped America become a leader in space exploration. A crater on the Moon is named after him. It is called the Parsons crater. This honors his contributions to rocketry.
Images for kids
-
The young Parsons spoke for hours with Wernher von Braun in phone correspondence about rocketry.
-
Parsons (dark vest) and GALCIT colleagues in the Arroyo Seco, Halloween 1936. JPL marks this experiment as its foundation.
-
GALCIT Group members in the Arroyo Seco, November 1936. Left foreground to right: Rudolph Schott, Amo Smith, Frank Malina, Ed Forman, and Jack Parsons.
-
Aleister Crowley (pictured in 1912), founder of Thelema, was Parsons' spiritual mentor.
-
Grady McMurtry was recruited into the O.T.O. by Parsons.
-
The GALCIT JATO engineering team during the solid propellant tests in January 1940. Parsons is visible cropped out on the extreme left alongside Clark Blanchard Millikan, Martin Summerfield, Theodore von Kármán, Frank Malina and pilot, Captain Homer Boushey.
-
Take-off on August 12, 1941, of America's first "rocket-assisted" fixed-wing aircraft, an ERCO Ercoupe fitted with a GALCIT developed solid propellant JATO booster
-
GALCIT Project Number 1 during the JATO experiments (date as above). From left to right: Fred S. Miller, Jack Parsons, Ed Forman, Frank Malina, Captain Homer Boushey, Private Kobe (first initial unknown), and Corporal R. Hamilton.
-
Solid-fuel JATO unit manufactured by Aerojet at the National Air and Space Museum
-
The JPL Arroyo Seco site in February 1942
-
Parsons standing above a JATO canister at JPL June 1943
-
Parsons befriended L. Ron Hubbard.
-
Parsons worked on developing the SM-64 Navaho missile (pictured launching in 1957).
-
November 1950 FBI synopsis of espionage allegations against Parsons
-
Dark Angel, a painting by Marjorie Cameron portraying Parsons as the "Angel of Death"
-
Parsons is credited for inventions used in rocket technology such as the Space Shuttle.
-
The Parsons Moon crater
See also
In Spanish: Jack Parsons para niños
