George Low
Georg Michael Löw was born near Vienna, Austria, on the 10th of June 1926. His parents Artur and Gertrude Löw ran a prosperous manufacturing business before Nazi Germany occupied his homeland in 1938. The family fled to the United States as Jewish refugees during that turbulent year. Low attended private schools in Switzerland and England before returning to New York state. He graduated from Forest Hills High School in Forest Hills, New York, in 1943. World War II interrupted his college education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute shortly after he enrolled. From 1944 to 1946, he served in the United States Army while becoming a naturalized American citizen. During this service period, he legally changed his name to George Michael Low.
Low returned to RPI late in 1948 to complete his Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering by 1950. He joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics as an engineer at the Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory in Cleveland, Ohio. This facility later became known as the Glenn Research Center. Low led the Fluid Mechanics Section between 1954 and 1956. He then directed the Special Projects Branch from 1956 until 1958. His research focused on heat transfer, boundary layer flows, and internal aerodynamics. He also tackled space technology problems including orbit calculations and reentry paths. These early technical studies laid the groundwork for future human spaceflight missions.
During the summer and autumn of 1958, Low worked on a planning team to organize the new aerospace agency. NASA formally organized in October 1958, and Low transferred to its headquarters in Washington, D.C. He served as Chief of Manned Space Flight while closely involved in planning Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo projects. Low played a critical role in advocating for a lunar landing as NASA's long-term goal. He formed the Low Committee in 1960 to produce a lunar landing feasibility study. This report influenced John F. Kennedy's decision to set a goal of landing humans on the Moon by the end of the 1960s. Low testified before Congress and spoke to media outlets on behalf of the agency.
Low transferred to NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, Texas, in February 1964. He served as Deputy Center Director until April 1967 when tragedy struck. Following the Apollo 1 fire, he was named manager of the Apollo Spacecraft Program Office. His responsibility included directing changes to make the spacecraft flightworthy again. He led the use of failure mode and effects analysis to rigorously define risks in human spaceflight. Low created and chaired the Configuration Control Board to monitor technical changes affecting other parts of the system. Flight Director Glynn Lunney praised his leadership during this difficult period. These efforts helped return the Apollo project schedule to its promised date for the Moon landing.
George Low became NASA deputy administrator in December 1969 while serving with Administrators Thomas O. Paine and James C. Fletcher. He acted as administrator after Paine resigned from the position. In these roles, Low played a significant part in developing the Space Shuttle program and Skylab program. He also oversaw the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. Rocket engineer Wernher von Braun blamed Low for shabby treatment in the early 1970s according to Bob Ward's 2005 biography. Von Braun believed Low was jealous of his fame and helped force his departure from the agency. Another biography by space historian Michael J. Neufeld disputed Low's involvement in von Braun's resignation. Richard Jurek's biography indicates Low tried to retain von Braun in strategic planning.
Low retired from NASA in 1976 to become president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He held that position until his death on the 17th of July 1984. He initiated the Rensselaer Technology Park during his tenure there. The New York State Center for Industrial Innovation was renamed the George M. Low Center for Industrial Innovation shortly after his death. His son David became an astronaut for NASA in 1985 and flew three times on the Space Shuttle before dying in 2008. On the 8th of April 1985, the White House announced that Low had been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This honor recognized his contributions to both education and science fields.
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Common questions
When was George Low born and where did he grow up?
George Michael Löw was born near Vienna, Austria, on the 10th of June 1926. His family fled to the United States as Jewish refugees in 1938 after Nazi Germany occupied his homeland.
What role did George Low play in planning the Apollo lunar landing program?
Low formed the Low Committee in 1960 to produce a lunar landing feasibility study that influenced John F. Kennedy's decision to set a goal of landing humans on the Moon by the end of the 1960s. He served as Chief of Manned Space Flight while closely involved in planning Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo projects.
How did George Low respond to the Apollo 1 fire tragedy in 1967?
Following the Apollo 1 fire, Low was named manager of the Apollo Spacecraft Program Office in April 1967. He led the use of failure mode and effects analysis to rigorously define risks in human spaceflight and created the Configuration Control Board to monitor technical changes affecting other parts of the system.
Why did Wernher von Braun claim George Low forced his departure from NASA?
Rocket engineer Wernher von Braun blamed Low for shabby treatment in the early 1970s according to Bob Ward's 2005 biography. Von Braun believed Low was jealous of his fame and helped force his departure from the agency.
When did George Low receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom and why?
On the 8th of April 1985, the White House announced that Low had been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This honor recognized his contributions to both education and science fields.