PROGRAMS:

COMPANIES:

• North American Aviation
• Rocketdyne

LOCATIONS:

Rocketdyne division NAA Canoga Park CA

POSITIONS:

Various Project/Program/Chief Engineer positions

COMMENTS:

Wilbur F. (Willie) Wilhelm was a highly respected engineering manager at Rocketdyne Division of North American Aviation (now Aerojet-Rocketdyne) during the development of United States rocketry.  In the 1950s, Willie was Chief Project Engineer for the Thor ballistic missile rocket engine development.  The Thor became the Delta space launch vehicle used for almost all satellite and space exploration launches in the 1960s.  In the 1960s, as Chief Project Engineer, Willie was responsible for the development of the J-2 rocket engine.  The J-2 was the first large engine to use hydrogen as a fuel and was the engine for the second and third stages of the launch vehicle for the Apollo manned Moon landing program.  The J-2 is still in use for the U. S. Manned Space Launch System that will be the mainstay of U.S. space exploration.  In the 1970s Willie was Chief Engineer for the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME), the first reusable large rocket engine.  The SSME was the primary engine for all Shuttle flights for 30 years and is the main engine for the new Space Launch System and the new Phantom Express.  Willie was generous in sharing his knowledge and experience.  Through his leadership and mentoring he influenced and trained several generations of rocket scientists.