Large archive of the papers of a former Rockwell scientist, Byron B. Florence III, who helped to design the ill-fated Skylab Orbital Workshop Meteoroid Shield. Contains personal documents related to Florence’s education at Georgia Tech and employment opportunities, including letters from Sikorsky Aircraft and Texas Instruments. A lengthy typed report entitled Meteoroid Protection Analysis, January 16, 1970, containing numerous calculations, charts, and text discussing protecting the Orbital Workshop from meteoroid impact while in orbit; with various drafts and revisions of reports of the same title. Included as well is an extremely lengthy volume of “Supporting Analyses,” containing even more detailed ‘proofs’ of the engineering and scientific decisions made during development. Also includes reports entitled “Orbital Workshop Meteoroid Shield Deployment Test Ground Effects Investigation, Final Report,” dated June 25, 1971—a portion of the abstract reads, “An investigation is conducted to determine reasons for incomplete deployment of the OWS-1 meteoroid shield during verification testing”—the project, it seems, was doomed from the start. In overall fine condition. At liftoff the station lost its micrometeoroid shield/sun shade and one of its main solar panels. Debris from the lost micrometeoroid shield further complicated matters by pinning the remaining solar panel to the side of the station, preventing its deployment and thus leaving the station with a huge power deficit. Also contained in this vast archive is a folder about the SLABES modular program. This software “will determine nodal displacements and internal loads for space frame structural idealizations.” Another highlight is a folder packed with notes, tables, and diagrams for the Douglas Aerobatic Aircraft Prototype. The introduction states, “The aircraft is envisioned as a low wing (cantilevered), retractable gear. Stressed skin configuration with a constant speed propeller.” Contained in the notes are schematics of wing and fuselage design, cockpit configuration, and interior structural support. Copies of two larger blueprints of the craft are also included. A detailed and historic archive related to one of NASA’s failed engineering attempts—perfect for the researcher or scientifically inclined space enthusiast. RR Auction COA.
