Peter Glaser
Encyclopedia
Peter Edward Glaser is an American scientist and aerospace engineer. He served as Vice President, Advanced Technology (1985-'94), was employed at Arthur D. Little
, Inc., Cambridge, MA (1955-'94); subsequently he served as a consultant to the company (1994–2005). He was president of Power from Space Consultants (1994–2005). Glaser retired in 2005.
and arc imaging furnaces, high temperature research, solar power
satellites, solar heating and cooling
, photovoltaic conversion
, rural electrification
systems using renewable resources, lunar surface missions
, commercial space power
, remote sensing
, extra-vehicular activity
on the moon, launch site
selection, space station
habitation module
appliance
s, advanced space transportation devices, space-based sensor
systems to identify carbon dioxide
-induced climate change
s, space station portable contamination
detectors, spacesuit gloves and boot soles, extravehicular dust protection, power relay satellite, high-altitude long-endurance aircraft
using wireless power transmission
.
Glaser headed the Design Department of Werner Textile Consultants (1949-'53). After his graduate studies Glaser spent his entire full-time professional career with Arthur D. Little, Inc.
Glaser's professional papers, and some of his personal papers, (32 cubic feet in 96 boxes) are on deposit with Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Library Archives.
Lunar Ranging Retroreflector Array
installed on the lunar surface of July 20, 1969, and two other arrays installed on subsequent missions — the only science experiments still in operation on the moon. He also was responsible for the Lunar Heat Flow Probes and the Lunar Gravimeter which were operational during the Apollo program, and the Initial Blood Storage Experiment flown on the Space Shuttle
Columbia
(STS-61-C) in January 1986, to explore gravitational effects on human blood cells. In 1968 he presented the concept for, and in 1973 was granted the U.S. patent on, the Solar Power Satellite to supply power from space for use on the Earth.
(1960-'62), a member of its board of assessment of the National Institute of Standards and Technology
program (1993-'96), and panel member (1994-'95). He served as an advisor to NASA
(1963-'67) and as a member of its Advisory Council (1986), the Task Force on Space Goals, and the Lunar Energy Enterprise Case Study task force (1988-'89). He served as a member of the Materials Advisory Board of the National Academy of Sciences
(1958) of its Study Group on Solar Energy (1971-'85). He was a member of the Solar Power Satellite Advisory Panel of the Office of Technology Assessment
of the United States Congress
(1980-'81).
Glaser is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
and of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
. He is a member of the American Solar Energy Society
and served as its president (1967-'72). He is a member of the International Solar Energy Society
and served as its President (1968-'69). He is a member of the American Astronautical Society
and served on the board of directors (1977-'84). In 1978 he formed the SUNSAT Energy Council, an NGO associated with the United Nations Economic and Social Council
, and served as its president (1978-'94) and chairman (1994–2000). He is a member of the International Astronautical Federation
and chaired the Space Power Committee (1984-'89). Glaser is a member of the National Space Society
, serving on the Board of Advisors (1990-'94), as director (1994-'97), and on the Board of Governors
(1997–2005)). He was a member of the Management Advisory Board of the Center for Space Power of the Texas A&M University System
(1990-'94). He was a member of the senior Advisory Board of the Space Studies Institute (1990–2005). He is a member of the United Societies in Space and served as a regent (1997–2005). Glaser was a voting member of the Engineering Council of Columbia University (1984) and an advisor to Space Power Research, Japan (1998–2005). He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, of the International Academy of Astronautics
, and of the American Society for Macro Engineering. He was a member of the International Institute of Refrigeration (1959-'72)
Glaser was Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Solar Energy (1972-'85) and a member of the editorial board (1985-'93). He was Associate Editor of Space Power Journal (1980-'86). He was a member of the editorial boards of Space Policy, Space Power, Journal of Practical Applications in Space, and Solar Energy. He was guest editor of the special issue of Space Policy on "Space Solar Power." He contributed to Standard Handbook of Powerplant Engineering (1998).
Glaser was editor of The Lunar Surface Layer (1964), Thermal Imaging Techniques (1964), Solar Power Satellites — The Emerging Energy Option (1993), Solar Power Satellites — A Space Energy System for Earth, 2nd ed. (1998), and Solar Power Systems in Space.
for contributions to the field of engineering. Glaser received the Farrington Daniels Award from the International Solar Energy Society in 1983. In 1993 the International Astronautical Federation
established the Peter Glaser Plenary Lecture to be given at the Annual Congresses. He was inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame of the Space Foundation in 1996.
to Hugo and Helen (Weiss) Glaser. Peter Edward Glaser was named, in his middle name, after his great-uncle Eduard Glaser
, the 19th-century explorer of southern Arabia, including Sheba
. Glaser immigrated into the United States of America in 1948; he was naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 1954. He married Eva F. Graf on October 16, 1955.
in 1943, a diploma from Charles University in Prague
in 1947, and the degrees of Master of Science and of Doctor of Philosophy from Columbia University
in 1951 and 1955 respectively.
, Glaser served in the Free Czechoslovak Army. He received a commendation from President Edvard Beneš
for personal bravery.
is the archaeology of southern Arabia. Glaser is the owner of Eduard Glaser's personal collection of Arabian artifacts. This collection is, however, in the physical possession of the government of the Czech Republic, which has refused to restore it to Glaser. The collection consists of 99 items, including ceremonial daggers, hand-carved water vessels, a stone lantern from the palace of the Queen of Sheba, antique vases, porcelain and ceramic objets d'art, and hand-woven textiles. Glaser testified before the Helsinki Commission
about the Czech government's resistance to restoring personal property which that government holds.
Arthur D. Little
Arthur D. Little is an international management consulting firm originally headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, and formally incorporated by that name in 1909 by Arthur Dehon Little, an MIT chemist who had discovered acetate. Arthur D. Little pioneered the concept of contracted...
, Inc., Cambridge, MA (1955-'94); subsequently he served as a consultant to the company (1994–2005). He was president of Power from Space Consultants (1994–2005). Glaser retired in 2005.
Professional
Glaser's areas of professional activity have included solarSolar furnace
A solar furnace is a structure that captures sunlight to produce high temperatures, usually for industry. This is done with a curved mirror that acts as a parabolic reflector, concentrating light onto a focal point...
and arc imaging furnaces, high temperature research, solar power
Solar power
Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available...
satellites, solar heating and cooling
Solar air conditioning
Solar air conditioning refers to any air conditioning system that uses solar power.This can be done through passive solar, solar thermal energy conversion and photovoltaic conversion . The U.S...
, photovoltaic conversion
Solar cell
A solar cell is a solid state electrical device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect....
, rural electrification
Rural electrification
Rural electrification is the process of bringing electrical power to rural and remote areas. Electricity is used not only for lighting and household purposes, but it also allows for mechanization of many farming operations, such as threshing, milking, and hoisting grain for storage; in areas...
systems using renewable resources, lunar surface missions
Moon landing
A moon landing is the arrival of a spacecraft on the surface of the Moon. This includes both manned and unmanned missions. The first human-made object to reach the surface of the Moon was the Soviet Union's Luna 2 mission on 13 September 1959. The United States's Apollo 11 was the first manned...
, commercial space power
Space solar power
Space-based solar power is the concept of collecting solar power in space for use on Earth. It has been in research since the early 1970s....
, remote sensing
Remote sensing
Remote sensing is the acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon, without making physical contact with the object. In modern usage, the term generally refers to the use of aerial sensor technologies to detect and classify objects on Earth by means of propagated signals Remote sensing...
, extra-vehicular activity
Extra-vehicular activity
Extra-vehicular activity is work done by an astronaut away from the Earth, and outside of a spacecraft. The term most commonly applies to an EVA made outside a craft orbiting Earth , but also applies to an EVA made on the surface of the Moon...
on the moon, launch site
Launch pad
A launch pad is the area and facilities where rockets or spacecraft lift off. A spaceport can contain one or many launch pads. A typical launch pad consists of the service and umbilical structures. The service structure provides an access platform to inspect the launch vehicle prior to launch....
selection, space station
Space station
A space station is a spacecraft capable of supporting a crew which is designed to remain in space for an extended period of time, and to which other spacecraft can dock. A space station is distinguished from other spacecraft used for human spaceflight by its lack of major propulsion or landing...
habitation module
Habitation Module
thumb|right|250px|ISS Habitation moduleThe Habitation Module for the International Space Station was intended to be the Station's main living quarters designed with galley, toilet, shower, sleep stations and medical facilities. About the size of a bus, the module was canceled after its pressurized...
appliance
Home appliance
Home appliances are electrical/mechanical machines which accomplish some household functions, such as cooking or cleaning. Home appliances can be classified into:*Major appliances, or White goods*Small appliances, or Brown goods...
s, advanced space transportation devices, space-based sensor
Sensor
A sensor is a device that measures a physical quantity and converts it into a signal which can be read by an observer or by an instrument. For example, a mercury-in-glass thermometer converts the measured temperature into expansion and contraction of a liquid which can be read on a calibrated...
systems to identify carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
-induced climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
s, space station portable contamination
Contamination
Contamination is the presence of a minor and unwanted constituent in material, physical body, natural environment, at a workplace, etc.-Specifics:"Contamination" also has more specific meanings in science:...
detectors, spacesuit gloves and boot soles, extravehicular dust protection, power relay satellite, high-altitude long-endurance aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
using wireless power transmission
Wireless energy transfer
Wireless energy transfer or wireless power is the transmission of electrical energy from a power source to an electrical load without artificial interconnecting conductors. Wireless transmission is useful in cases where interconnecting wires are inconvenient, hazardous, or impossible...
.
Glaser headed the Design Department of Werner Textile Consultants (1949-'53). After his graduate studies Glaser spent his entire full-time professional career with Arthur D. Little, Inc.
Arthur D. Little
Arthur D. Little is an international management consulting firm originally headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, and formally incorporated by that name in 1909 by Arthur Dehon Little, an MIT chemist who had discovered acetate. Arthur D. Little pioneered the concept of contracted...
Glaser's professional papers, and some of his personal papers, (32 cubic feet in 96 boxes) are on deposit with Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
Library Archives.
Projects
He was project manager for the Apollo 11Apollo 11
In early 1969, Bill Anders accepted a job with the National Space Council effective in August 1969 and announced his retirement as an astronaut. At that point Ken Mattingly was moved from the support crew into parallel training with Anders as backup Command Module Pilot in case Apollo 11 was...
Lunar Ranging Retroreflector Array
Lunar laser ranging experiment
The ongoing Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment measures the distance between the Earth and the Moon using laser ranging. Lasers on Earth are aimed at retroreflectors planted on the moon during the Apollo program, and the time for the reflected light to return is determined...
installed on the lunar surface of July 20, 1969, and two other arrays installed on subsequent missions — the only science experiments still in operation on the moon. He also was responsible for the Lunar Heat Flow Probes and the Lunar Gravimeter which were operational during the Apollo program, and the Initial Blood Storage Experiment flown on the Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
Columbia
Space Shuttle Columbia
Space Shuttle Columbia was the first spaceworthy Space Shuttle in NASA's orbital fleet. First launched on the STS-1 mission, the first of the Space Shuttle program, it completed 27 missions before being destroyed during re-entry on February 1, 2003 near the end of its 28th, STS-107. All seven crew...
(STS-61-C) in January 1986, to explore gravitational effects on human blood cells. In 1968 he presented the concept for, and in 1973 was granted the U.S. patent on, the Solar Power Satellite to supply power from space for use on the Earth.
Memberships, Offices, and Advisory Positions
Glaser served as consultant to the National Research CouncilUnited States National Research Council
The National Research Council of the USA is the working arm of the United States National Academies, carrying out most of the studies done in their names.The National Academies include:* National Academy of Sciences...
(1960-'62), a member of its board of assessment of the National Institute of Standards and Technology
National Institute of Standards and Technology
The National Institute of Standards and Technology , known between 1901 and 1988 as the National Bureau of Standards , is a measurement standards laboratory, otherwise known as a National Metrological Institute , which is a non-regulatory agency of the United States Department of Commerce...
program (1993-'96), and panel member (1994-'95). He served as an advisor to NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
(1963-'67) and as a member of its Advisory Council (1986), the Task Force on Space Goals, and the Lunar Energy Enterprise Case Study task force (1988-'89). He served as a member of the Materials Advisory Board of the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
(1958) of its Study Group on Solar Energy (1971-'85). He was a member of the Solar Power Satellite Advisory Panel of the Office of Technology Assessment
Office of Technology Assessment
The Office of Technology Assessment was an office of the United States Congress from 1972 to 1995. OTA's purpose was to provide Congressional members and committees with objective and authoritative analysis of the complex scientific and technical issues of the late 20th century, i.e. technology...
of the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
(1980-'81).
Glaser is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Association for the Advancement of Science
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is an international non-profit organization with the stated goals of promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific responsibility, and supporting scientific education and science outreach for the...
and of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics is the professional society for the field of aerospace engineering. The AIAA was founded in 1963 from the merger of two earlier societies: the American Rocket Society , founded in 1930 as the American Interplanetary Society , and the Institute...
. He is a member of the American Solar Energy Society
American Solar Energy Society
The American Solar Energy Society is an association of solar professionals and advocates in the United States. Founded in 1954, ASES is dedicated to inspiring an era of energy innovation and speeding the transition toward a sustainable energy economy...
and served as its president (1967-'72). He is a member of the International Solar Energy Society
International Solar Energy Society
The International Solar Energy Society is a global organization for promoting the development and utilisation of renewable energy. ISES is a UN-accredited NGO and David S. Renné is the current president....
and served as its President (1968-'69). He is a member of the American Astronautical Society
American Astronautical Society
Formed in 1954, the American Astronautical Society is an independent scientific and technical group in the United States dedicated to the advancement of space science and exploration. AAS supports NASA's Vision for Space Exploration and is a member of the Coalition for Space Exploration and the...
and served on the board of directors (1977-'84). In 1978 he formed the SUNSAT Energy Council, an NGO associated with the United Nations Economic and Social Council
United Nations Economic and Social Council
The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations constitutes one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and it is responsible for the coordination of the economic, social and related work of 14 UN specialized agencies, its functional commissions and five regional commissions...
, and served as its president (1978-'94) and chairman (1994–2000). He is a member of the International Astronautical Federation
International Astronautical Federation
International Astronautical Federation , the world's foremost space advocacy organisation, is based in Paris. It was founded in 1951 as a non-governmental organization. It has 206 members from 58 countries across the world. They are drawn from space agencies, industry, professional associations,...
and chaired the Space Power Committee (1984-'89). Glaser is a member of the National Space Society
National Space Society
The National Space Society is an international nonprofit 501, educational, and scientific organization specializing in space advocacy...
, serving on the Board of Advisors (1990-'94), as director (1994-'97), and on the Board of Governors
Board of governors
Board of governors is a term sometimes applied to the board of directors of a public entity or non-profit organization.Many public institutions, such as public universities, are government-owned corporations. The British Broadcasting Corporation was managed by a board of governors, though this role...
(1997–2005)). He was a member of the Management Advisory Board of the Center for Space Power of the Texas A&M University System
Texas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the United States. Through a statewide network of eleven universities, eight state agencies and a comprehensive health science center, the Texas A&M System educates over 100,000 students, conducts more than $600...
(1990-'94). He was a member of the senior Advisory Board of the Space Studies Institute (1990–2005). He is a member of the United Societies in Space and served as a regent (1997–2005). Glaser was a voting member of the Engineering Council of Columbia University (1984) and an advisor to Space Power Research, Japan (1998–2005). He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers is a professional body, specifically an engineering society, focused on mechanical engineering....
, of the International Academy of Astronautics
International Academy of Astronautics
The International Academy of Astronautics is an international community of experts committed to expanding the frontiers of space. It is a non-governmental organisation established in Stockholm on August 16, 1960....
, and of the American Society for Macro Engineering. He was a member of the International Institute of Refrigeration (1959-'72)
Publication Activity
Glaser has published more than 800 scientific books and papers.Glaser was Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Solar Energy (1972-'85) and a member of the editorial board (1985-'93). He was Associate Editor of Space Power Journal (1980-'86). He was a member of the editorial boards of Space Policy, Space Power, Journal of Practical Applications in Space, and Solar Energy. He was guest editor of the special issue of Space Policy on "Space Solar Power." He contributed to Standard Handbook of Powerplant Engineering (1998).
Glaser was editor of The Lunar Surface Layer (1964), Thermal Imaging Techniques (1964), Solar Power Satellites — The Emerging Energy Option (1993), Solar Power Satellites — A Space Energy System for Earth, 2nd ed. (1998), and Solar Power Systems in Space.
Honors
Glaser was awarded the Carl F. Kayan Medal in 1974 by Columbia UniversityColumbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
for contributions to the field of engineering. Glaser received the Farrington Daniels Award from the International Solar Energy Society in 1983. In 1993 the International Astronautical Federation
International Astronautical Federation
International Astronautical Federation , the world's foremost space advocacy organisation, is based in Paris. It was founded in 1951 as a non-governmental organization. It has 206 members from 58 countries across the world. They are drawn from space agencies, industry, professional associations,...
established the Peter Glaser Plenary Lecture to be given at the Annual Congresses. He was inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame of the Space Foundation in 1996.
Personal
Peter Glaser was born in (Žatec) CzechoslovakiaCzechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
to Hugo and Helen (Weiss) Glaser. Peter Edward Glaser was named, in his middle name, after his great-uncle Eduard Glaser
Eduard Glaser
Eduard Glaser was an Austrian Arabist and archeologist. He was one of the first Europeans who explored South Arabia. He collected thousands of inscriptions in Yemen that are today held by Kunsthistorisches Museum....
, the 19th-century explorer of southern Arabia, including Sheba
Sheba
Sheba was a kingdom mentioned in the Jewish scriptures and the Qur'an...
. Glaser immigrated into the United States of America in 1948; he was naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 1954. He married Eva F. Graf on October 16, 1955.
Education
Glaser earned a diploma from Leeds College of TechnologyLeeds College of Technology
Leeds College of Technology was a further education college in Leeds, in West Yorkshire, England. With a strong technical bias, the College supported the computing, engineering, social care and transport industries...
in 1943, a diploma from Charles University in Prague
Charles University in Prague
Charles University in Prague is the oldest and largest university in the Czech Republic. Founded in 1348, it was the first university in Central Europe and is also considered the earliest German university...
in 1947, and the degrees of Master of Science and of Doctor of Philosophy from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in 1951 and 1955 respectively.
Military Service
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Glaser served in the Free Czechoslovak Army. He received a commendation from President Edvard Beneš
Edvard Beneš
Edvard Beneš was a leader of the Czechoslovak independence movement, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the second President of Czechoslovakia. He was known to be a skilled diplomat.- Youth :...
for personal bravery.
Archaeology
Glaser's avocationAvocation
An avocation is an activity that one engages in as a hobby outside one's main occupation. There are many examples of people whose professions were the ways that they made their livings, but for whom their activities outside of their workplaces were their true passions in life...
is the archaeology of southern Arabia. Glaser is the owner of Eduard Glaser's personal collection of Arabian artifacts. This collection is, however, in the physical possession of the government of the Czech Republic, which has refused to restore it to Glaser. The collection consists of 99 items, including ceremonial daggers, hand-carved water vessels, a stone lantern from the palace of the Queen of Sheba, antique vases, porcelain and ceramic objets d'art, and hand-woven textiles. Glaser testified before the Helsinki Commission
Helsinki Commission
Helsinki Commission may mean:*HELCOM, the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission*U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe...
about the Czech government's resistance to restoring personal property which that government holds.