Sam T. Beddingfield
Encyclopedia
Sam T. Beddingfield is a retired American aerospace engineer and test pilot
who had a long career with the United States Air Force
(USAF) and NASA
.
in 1956 with a degree in aeronautical engineering. He went to work for the USAF at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio to do flight tests in redesigned airplanes. After three-and-a-half years of aircraft testing, he left to work for NASA in its new manned space program in 1959. Gus Grissom
, one of the original seven Mercury astronauts, had done flight testing with Beddingfield at Wright-Patterson, and talked him into going to NASA. His first job was at Cape Canaveral
, Florida helping to get Project Mercury
started, serving as mechanical engineer.
At this time, NASA had 33 employees and five people on contract at the Cape. Beddingfield was involved in preparing for and launching the two Mercury-Redstone missions and the four Mercury-Atlas
missions from 1959 to 1963. Before completion of the Mercury program, Beddingfield was engaged in planning the Gemini program and to some extent, the early planning for Apollo. He was one of few who worked on all three manned space programs at the same time.
After the safe return of the first Apollo moon-landing mission (Apollo 11
), Beddingfield was assigned to the Space Shuttle program
in August 1969. He was the first NASA Kennedy Space Center
employee assigned to the program and worked on the shuttle in a number of progressively responsible positions through its first 23 flights. He retired from NASA as the deputy director of shuttle operations in November 1985. He served as president of the Florida chapter of the NASA Alumni League from 1994-1996.
He volunteers his time to the US Space Walk of Fame
Foundation and has served on its board of directors since its inception. He is also a lifetime member of the Merritt Island Wildlife Association
and serves on its board. Beddingfield also volunteers weekly at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum
.
Test pilot
A test pilot is an aviator who flies new and modified aircraft in specific maneuvers, known as flight test techniques or FTTs, allowing the results to be measured and the design to be evaluated....
who had a long career with the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
(USAF) and 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...
.
Aerospace career
Beddingfield graduated from North Carolina State UniversityNorth Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
in 1956 with a degree in aeronautical engineering. He went to work for the USAF at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio to do flight tests in redesigned airplanes. After three-and-a-half years of aircraft testing, he left to work for NASA in its new manned space program in 1959. Gus Grissom
Gus Grissom
Virgil Ivan Grissom , , better known as Gus Grissom, was one of the original NASA Project Mercury astronauts and a United States Air Force pilot...
, one of the original seven Mercury astronauts, had done flight testing with Beddingfield at Wright-Patterson, and talked him into going to NASA. His first job was at Cape Canaveral
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is an installation of the United States Air Force Space Command's 45th Space Wing, headquartered at nearby Patrick Air Force Base. Located on Cape Canaveral in the state of Florida, CCAFS is the primary launch head of America's Eastern Range with four launch pads...
, Florida helping to get Project Mercury
Project Mercury
In January 1960 NASA awarded Western Electric Company a contract for the Mercury tracking network. The value of the contract was over $33 million. Also in January, McDonnell delivered the first production-type Mercury spacecraft, less than a year after award of the formal contract. On February 12,...
started, serving as mechanical engineer.
At this time, NASA had 33 employees and five people on contract at the Cape. Beddingfield was involved in preparing for and launching the two Mercury-Redstone missions and the four Mercury-Atlas
Mercury-Atlas
Mercury-Atlas was a subprogram of Project Mercury which comprised most of the flights and tests using the Atlas LV-3B launch vehicle. The Atlas was also used for one Mercury flight under the Big Joe subprogram.- Mission numbering :...
missions from 1959 to 1963. Before completion of the Mercury program, Beddingfield was engaged in planning the Gemini program and to some extent, the early planning for Apollo. He was one of few who worked on all three manned space programs at the same time.
After the safe return of the first Apollo moon-landing mission (Apollo 11
Apollo 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...
), Beddingfield was assigned to the Space Shuttle program
Space Shuttle program
NASA's Space Shuttle program, officially called Space Transportation System , was the United States government's manned launch vehicle program from 1981 to 2011...
in August 1969. He was the first NASA Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center
The John F. Kennedy Space Center is the NASA installation that has been the launch site for every United States human space flight since 1968. Although such flights are currently on hiatus, KSC continues to manage and operate unmanned rocket launch facilities for America's civilian space program...
employee assigned to the program and worked on the shuttle in a number of progressively responsible positions through its first 23 flights. He retired from NASA as the deputy director of shuttle operations in November 1985. He served as president of the Florida chapter of the NASA Alumni League from 1994-1996.
Recognition
During his 26-year NASA career, he received numerous forms of special recognition for his service. Among them was NASA’s Exceptional Service medal for both the Apollo and the Shuttle programs.Retirement
Since retirement, Beddingfield has remained involved in the space program as an advocate and as a frequent spokesman on local and national TV during launches. He has been a contributor to many space history initiatives conducted by NASA or private entities.He volunteers his time to the US Space Walk of Fame
US Space Walk of Fame
The US Space Walk of Fame is an outdoor plaza on the Indian River in Titusville, Florida, honoring both the astronauts and the NASA and contractor personnel who made American manned space exploration possible. Its monuments surrounding a pool are dedicated to the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space...
Foundation and has served on its board of directors since its inception. He is also a lifetime member of the Merritt Island Wildlife Association
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is an important U.S. National Wildlife Refuge on the Atlantic coast of Florida. It is also a 'gateway site' for the Great Florida Birding Trail.-Location and extent:...
and serves on its board. Beddingfield also volunteers weekly at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum
Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum
The Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum is located at the Space Coast Regional Airport, 6600 Tico Road, in Brevard County, just south of Titusville, Florida. The VAC contains vintage aircraft and a hangar with a restoration area. The VAC also has a Memorabilia Hall with flight gear, dress...
.