Bergstralh, Thor.
Oral History interview with Jay Thor Bergstralh, August 1, 1983.
This interview concentrates on Bergstrahl's work at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), principally as an experiment integrator for rocket flights, with additional coverage of his later work at Ford Aeronutronics Corporation (now Ford Aeronautics and Communication Corporation). In addition to discussing the procedures and problems of integrating experiments and design, Bergstrahl also discusses his work at NRL on early attempts at high altitude photography, on rocket impact point prediction systems, V-2 rockets, White Sands Missile Range, and cosmic ray balloon research. The discussion of his years at Ford Aeroneutronics examines his work on lunar and planetary studies, including work on the Ranger moon landers.
Education: Thor Bergstralh was born in Minnesota, and completed his early education before continuing on to Carleton College as part of a Civilian Conservation Corps program. At Carleton, Bergstralh became interested in physics and decided to pursue his M.S. in nuclear physics at the University of Minnesota. Professional experience: Naval Research Laboratory (1946-56); Ford Aeronutronics (1956-1982). Research interests: Rocket design and construction, cosmic ray research, and planetary/lunar exploration.
Bergstralh, Thor.
Aeronutronic Ford Corporation
Naval Research Laboratory (U.S.)
University of Minnesota. School of Physics and Astronomy.
Astrophysics -- History.
Astrophysics -- Study and teaching (Higher).
Balloons in astronomy.
Cosmic rays -- Experiments.
Photography -- Scientific applications
Rockets -- Design and construction.
V-2 rocket.
Interviews. aat
Oral histories. aat
Transcripts. aat
White Sands Missile Range (N.M.)
DeVorkin, David H., 1944- interviewer.
AIP-ICOS
American Institute of Physics. Niels Bohr Library & Archives. One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA