This week we recognize Colonel Quenten A. Riepe, USAF and Dr. Robert M. Salter, Jr.,
Colonel Quenten A. Riepe played an important role in Air Force space history as the first project manager for the defense satellite program. As Chief of the Flight Research Lab at Wright Air Development Center (WADC), Col Riepe completed one of the first space utility and feasibility reports to determine methods and goals. Also, Col Riepe's RAND liaison officer duties on the Advanced Reconnaissance System, MX-2226 (Project 1115) involved overseeing many aspects of the development of reconnaissance satellites: attitude, guidance, and control; a solarelectrical energy converter; intelligence processing methods; the auxiliary power plant; and the effects of nuclear radiation on electronic components.
Four months after the Soviets launched Sputnik I, Col Riepe, Chief, Facilities and Test Division, WDD, for the Discoverer satellite system, was responsible for construction of pads and the assembly building to support the firing of the first Air Force research and development satellite. Col Riepe was the Director of Program 437, the Air Force's first operational antisatellite system. Col Riepe was credited with developing many of the basic concepts of space launch and satellite control.
Read More:http://www.afspc.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-100405-057.pdf
Dr. Robert M. Salter, Jr., a scientist who specializes in elementary particle physics and applied physics, has made significant contributions to America's space program. He has been associated with such programs as the Kettering Missile project, the MX-770 project, RAND's Project Feedback, Pied Piper, and CORONA.
Dr. Salter worked with the Lockheed Missiles and Space Company as Manager of the Satellite Branch. During that assignment, he devised a list of military defense missions attainable by satellites: infrared missile detection; nuclear detonation detection; film recovery; special electronic intelligence; and side lobe radar schemes.
Dr. Salter also was involved in the CORONA project and worked on second source ICBM parametric design studies.
Dr. Salter continued his work on the development of U.S. defense technology through the 1980s and into the 1990s, contributing to efforts such as the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) and other programs including free electron lasers, fusion power, electric guns, underground high speed trains, electron beam weapons, underwater autonomous sensors, and an ultra lightweight fission reactor designed for use in the antiballistic missile (ABM) program as well as future interplanetary missions to Mars. During the 1980s, he also revisited the world of reconnaissance satellites as a consultant with ITEK.
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