Guide to the Robert E. Slye Papers,
1961-2001
Guide prepared by Laura Williams
NASA Ames History Office
NASA Ames Research Center
Mail Stop 207-1
Moffett Field, California 94035
Phone: (650) 604-1032
Email: ARC-DL-history@mail.nasa.gov
URL: http://history.arc.nasa.gov
©2009
NASA Ames Research Center. All rights reserved.
Guide to the Robert E. Slye Papers,
1961-2001
NASA Ames History Office
NASA Ames Research Center
Contact Information:
- NASA Ames History Office
- NASA Ames Research Center
- Mail Stop 207-1
- Moffett Field, CA 94035
- Phone: (650) 604-1032
- Email: ARC-DL-history@mail.nasa.gov
- URL: http://history.arc.nasa.gov/contacts.htm
- Collection processed by:
- Laura Williams
- Date Completed:
- November 2009
©2009 NASA Ames Research Center. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Robert E. Slye Papers
Date (inclusive): 1961-2001
Collection Number: PP07.13-RS
Creator:
Ames Research Center
Extent:
Number of containers: 4
Volume: 4.8 cubic feet
Repository:
Ames Research Center,
Ames History Office
Moffett Field, California 94035
Abstract: This collection, accumulated by NASA Ames Research Center scientist Robert E. Slye, consists of reports,
research proposals, memoranda, contracts, conference and workshop proceedings, user guides, administrative announcements,
newsletters,
secondary publications and other materials related to the NASA Mission Analysis Division, technology applications research
and
general administrative activities.
Language:
English
Administrative Information
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright does not apply to United States government records. For non-government
material, researcher must contact the original creator.
Preferred Citation
NASA Ames History Office, NASA Ames Research Center. Moffett Field, California. PP07.13-RS, Robert E. Slye Papers, 1961-2001,
[Container number]: [Folder number]. [Identification of item]. [Date, if available].
Abbreviated Citation
NASA ARC. PP07.13-RS, [Container number]: [Folder number]. [Identification of item]. [Date, if available].
Related Collections
Larry A. Manning Papers, 1967-1988 (PP05.04)
Donald E. Wilson Earth Resources Survey Program Papers, 1972-1983 (PP07.13-DW)
Acquisition Information
Transferred by Robert E. Slye in August 2007.
Biographical History
Robert "Buzz" E. Slye was born in 1934 in Burlington, Vermont. He received a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Yale University
in
1956, where he also served in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. He earned a M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from Stanford
University in 1957. Slye joined NACA Ames Aeronautical Laboratory in Moffett Field, California, in June 1957 as a summer student,
and was subsequently assigned to Air Force duty on the Ames campus in the fall of 1957.
As a summer student, and after conversion to a permanent post as research scientist in 1958, Slye worked with Alfred Eggers
and Clarence
"Sy" Syverston as a member of the 10 x 14 Inch Wind Tunnel Branch (1957 to 1960) and the 3-1/2 Foot Wind Tunnel Branch (1960
to 1963). Here,
he was involved in projects relating to the aerodynamics of lifting bodies, rockets and re-entry capsules. In 1963, Slye became
a member of
the Mission Analysis Division, Space Applications Branch. The Mission Analysis Division's
main function was to conduct studies to determine research areas in which Ames could use its time and funds most effectively.
Here, Slye
became an expert in trajectory analysis, and was involved in conducting studies on the feasibility of transporting humans
to the moon and
mars, and in conducting shuttle and launch vehicle studies, including trajectory and payload analysis, costing, planning,
design and
implementation. Slye was a member of the Mission Analysis Division from 1963 to 1969, the System Studies Division from 1969
to 1971, and
the Advanced Concepts and Missions Division from 1971 to 1975.
When the Advanced Concepts and Missions Division dissolved in 1975, Slye moved to the Data Research and Management Branch
(1975 to 1976),
the Technology Applications Branch under the Airborne Missions and Applications Division (1976 to 1984) and later the Ecosystem
Science and
Technology (ECOSAT) Branch under the Life Science/Earth System Science/Earth Science Divisions (1984 to present). His research
activities
under these divisions largely relate to the analysis and display of computer information, including remotely sensed images.
As a member of
the Ecosystem Science and Technology Branch, Slye worked to develop new understandings of the Earth's ecosystems through remote
sensing,
airborne imaging and data processing research.
Slye's career at Ames has spanned over a half of a century and is remarkable in that he has made important research contributions
in a
wide range of disciplines. Slye received the NASA/Ames Special Achievement Award in 1988. At the time of his retirement in
December 2007,
Slye was the longest continually employed worker at Ames. He became an Ames Associate in 2008, and as of November 2009, Slye
is listed as
an Ames Associate with the Ecosystem Science and Technology Branch.
Sources Consulted:
Bugos, Glenn E. Atmosphere of freedom: sixty years at the NASA Ames Research Center. Washington, D.C.: NASA SP4314, 2000.
Bugos, Glenn E. “NASA’s 50 Year Men and Women: Buzz Slye” in NASA: 50 Years of Exploration and Discovery. NASA, 2008.
NASA Ames History Office, NASA Ames Research Center. Moffett Field, California. AFS1030.39A, Ames Astrogram Collection. 1958-2008.
NASA Ames History Office, NASA Ames Research Center. Moffett Field, California. AFS1070.8A, Archives Reference Collection.
Telephone Directories. 1962-2003.
Indexing Terms
The following terms may be used to index this collection.
Personal Name
Slye, Robert E.
Corporate Name
Ames Research Center
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Subjects
Launch vehicles (Astronautics)
Trajectory optimization
Payloads (Aerospace engineering)
Computer engineering--Data processing
Remote sensing.
Remote-sensing images
Landsat satellites.
Image analysis.
Image processing.
Ecosystem management--Research.
Feasibility studies
Cost analysis
Geographic Names
Moffett Field (Calif.)
Scope and Content
The collection consists of scientific reports, quarterly and annual reports, research proposals, memoranda,
correspondence, contracts, studies, secondary publications, conference proceedings, meeting minutes, agendas,
newsletters, bibliographies, indexes, directories, rosters, workshop proceedings, user guides, administrative
announcements, clippings, ephemera and a transcript of the 1996 NASA Ames "State of the Center" speech. The
materials provide insight into Slye's activities with the Mission Analysis Division and Technology
Applications/Ecosystem Science and Technology Applications Branches as well as into the administrative
activities of NASA Ames.
Series I, Mission Analysis Division Records, 1965-1974, contains reports, proposals, memoranda, secondary
publications and other material related to the design, costing, selection and analysis of shuttles and launch
vehicles. Series II, Technology Applications Records, 1974-1998, includes reports, memoranda, newsletters,
rosters, plans and other materials related to the activities of the NASA Ames Airborne Missions and
Applications and Life Science/Earth System Science/Earth Science Divisions. A number of records relate to
the Landsat Remote Sensing Technology Program and the Western Regional Applications Program (WRAP). Series
III, NASA Ames Administrative Records, 1971-2001, consists of clippings, publications, memoranda and
administrative announcements related to topics such as staff honors, organizational restructuring and
policies. Series IV, General/Reference Publications, 1961-1999, largely consists of newsletters (generated
both by Ames and outside publishers) and secondary publications on topics related to Slye's fields of interest,
including aeronautics, remote sensing and computing.
Arrangement of the Robert E. Slye Papers
The papers are arranged into four series:
- I. Mission Analysis Division Records, 1965-1974.
- II. Technology Applications Records, 1974-1998.
- III. NASA Ames Administrative Records, 1971-2001.
- IV. General/Reference Publications, 1961-1999.
Materials within each series are arranged chronologically.
I.
Mission Analysis Division Records,
1965-1974
Physical Description: 56 folders
Series Description
The materials in Series I reflect the activities of the Mission Analysis Division, System Studies Division, and the Advanced
Concepts and Missions
Division from 1965 to 1974. Many records relate to Lockheed contract NAS 2-5202, in which methodologies and computer models
were constructed for
optimal launch vehicle assignment for advanced space missions in light of strict budgetary constraints. According to one of
the reports associated
with this contract, "a primary objective [of the study] is provision of an analytical tool to help the advance planner to
maximize, under restrictive
budget constraints, the accomplishment of a future space program." Materials related to the Burner II, Titan/Centaur, Solid/Agena
and Saturn family
of launch vehicles are included in this series.
II.
Technology Applications Records,
1974-1998
Physical Description: 44 folders
Series Description
Series II consists of records related to the activities of the NASA Ames Data Research and Management Branch, Technology Applications
Branch and
Ecosystem Science and Technology (ECOSAT) Branch from 1974 to 1998. Here, Slye was involved in performing research in ecosystem
science, remote sensing,
and computational image analysis. Many materials relate to the Landsat Remote Sensing Technology Program and the Western Regional
Applications Program (WRAP).
Slye was particularly involved in remote sensing, airborne imaging, and data processing research. Research subjects include
coastal-zone, forestry,
geography, geology, hydrology, meteorology, oceanography, agricultural and fire studies.
III.
NASA Ames Administrative Records,
1971-2001
Physical Description: 11 folders
Series Description
Series III consists of records on topics such as exhibits, personnel appointments, policies, Ames events and activities, length
of service honors,
branch/division restructuring and other organizational changes, and a transcript of the 1996 "State of the Center" address
by Director Ken K. Munechika.
IV.
General/Reference Publications,
1961-1999
Physical Description: 40 folders
Series Description
Series IV consists of secondary publications on topics such as missiles, aeronautics, lunar and planetary sciences, extraterrestrial
life, remote sensing,
meteor orbits/dust and astrophysics, symposium proceedings, materials related to computing (including the Illiac IV, Cray
I, Cray-IS and VAX computers and
ARPANET), newsletters (both published by NASA and by outside entities) and other general materials.
I: Mission Analysis Records, 1965-1974
Box 1, Folder 4
Analytical Cost/Performance Model for the Analysis of the Long Duration
Manned Space Missions, Final Report,
1967
Box 1, Folder 5
Final Report, Service Module Upper Stage,
1967
Box 1, Folder 6
Planetary Programs, Analysis of Titan III F Family Capability for the Mars 1973 Type 1 Mission,
1967
Box 1, Folder 8
SLV, General Dynamics,
1967
Box 1, Folder 9
1 Centaur Sizing Study for Titan IIID and IIIB,
1968
Box 1, Folder 10
Proposal for Systems Modeling and Cost/Performance Methodologies
for Optimization of Vehicle Assignment Study,
1968
Box 1, Folder 11
Systems Modeling and Cost/Performance Methodologies for Optimization of Vehicle Assignment, Contracts,
1968-1970
Box 1, Folder 12
Systems Modeling and Cost/Performance Methodologies for Optimization of Vehicle Assignment, Proposal Documents,
1968-1970
Box 1, Folder 13
Study of Systems and Cost/Performance Methodologies for Optimization of Vehicle Assignment, Technical Reports,
1968-1970
Box 1, Folder 14
NASA Space Shuttle Task Group Report,
1969
Box 1, Folder 15
Solid/Agena Launch Vehicle System,
1969
Box 1, Folder 16
Study of Systems and Cost/Performance Methodologies for Optimization of Vehicle Assignment, Reports and Schedules,
1969
Box 1, Folder 18
The UA1207 First Stage Solid Rocket Motor Technical Report,
1969
Box 1, Folder 19
AIAA Paper, The Nuclear Shuttle for Interorbital and Transplanetary Applications,
1970
Box 1, Folder 20
Impact of the Space Shuttle on Satellite Payloads, Technical Memorandum,
1970
Box 1, Folder 22
Space Shuttle Engineering Memoranda, Lockheed Missiles and Space Company,
1970
Box 1, Folder 23
Study of Methodology and Model Development for Minimizing Space Program Costs,
1970
Box 1, Folder 24
Study of Systems and Cost/Performance Methodologies for Optimization of Vehicle Assignment,
Reports and Schedules,
1970 (1 of 4)
Box 1, Folder 25
Study of Systems and Cost/Performance Methodologies for Optimization of Vehicle Assignment, Reports and Schedules,
1970 (2 of 4)
Box 1, Folder 26
Study of Systems and Cost/Performance Methodologies for Optimization of Vehicle Assignment, Reports and Schedules,
1970 (3 of 4)
Box 1, Folder 27
Study of Systems and Cost/Performance Methodologies for Optimization of Vehicle Assignment, Reports and Schedules,
1970 (4 of 4)
Box 1, Folder 28
Study of Systems and Cost/Performance Methodologies for Optimization of Vehicle Assignment, Final Reports,
1970
Box 1, Folder 29
Launch Vehicle Study for NASA Missions,
1970-1979
Box 1, Folder 30
Mission Analysis of Shuttle Operations Between Earth and the Moon,
1971
Box 1, Folder 31
Comparative Evolution of Space Transportation Concepts,
1971
Box 2, Folder 1
Logic Checkout and Production Exercising of Space Program Optimal Assignment Model,
1971
Box 2, Folder 2
Methodologies for Optimal Resource Allocation to the National Space Program and New Space Utilization, Final Report,
1971 (1 of 3)
Box 2, Folder 3
Methodologies for Optimal Resource Allocation to the National Space Program and New Space Utilization, Final Report,
1971 (2 of 3)
Box 2, Folder 4
Methodologies for Optimal Resource Allocation to the National Space Program and New Space Utilization, Final Report,
1971 (3 of 3)
Box 2, Folder 5
Payload Effects Analysis Study,
1971
Box 2, Folder 6
Probabilistic Systems Modeling and Cost/Performance Methodologies for Optimization of Vehicle Assignment, Final Report, Volume
1,
1971
Box 2, Folder 7
Probabilistic Systems Modeling and Cost/Performance Methodologies for Optimization of Vehicle Assignment, Final Report, Volume
2,
1971 (1 of 2)
Box 2, Folder 8
Probabilistic Systems Modeling and Cost/Performance Methodologies for Optimization of Vehicle Assignment, Final Report, Volume
2,
1971 (2 of 2)
Box 2, Folder 9
Study of Systems and Cost/Performance Methodologies for Optimization of Vehicle Assignment, Reports and Schedules,
1971 (1 of 2)
Box 2, Folder 10
Study of Systems and Cost/Performance Methodologies for Optimization of Vehicle Assignment, Reports and Schedules,
1971 (2 of 2)
Box 2, Folder 11
Task Report, Study of Systems and Cost/Performance Methodologies for Optimization of Vehicle Assignment,
1971
Box 2, Folder 12
The Utilization of Halo Orbits in Advance Lunar Operations,
1971-1972
Box 2, Folder 13
The Space Applications Program Review,
1974
Box 2, Folder 14
The Space Applications Program, Appendices,
1974
Box 2, Folder 15
Study of Computer Data Transfer Via Satellite, Monthly Report and Final Report,
1974 (1 of 2)
Box 2, Folder 16
Study of Computer Data Transfer Via Satellite, Monthly Report and Final Report,
1974 (2 of 2)
Box 2, Folder 17
Study of Computer Data Transfer Via Satellite,
1974
Box 2, Folder 18
IDAS comparison Matrices,
undated
Box 2, Folder 19
Mission Analysis Humor,
undated (1 of 2)
Box 2, Folder 20
Mission Analysis Humor,
undated (2 of 2)
Box 2, Folder 21
Planetary Programs, Launch Vehicle Appendix,
undated
II: Technology Applications Records, 1974-1998
Box 2, Folder 22
Earth Resources Program, Revised Project Plan,
1974
Box 2, Folder 23
Image Selection System, M. A. Knutson et al.,
1974
Box 2, Folder 24
Satellite On-Board Processing for Earth Resources Data,
1975
Box 2, Folder 25
User Dissemination Concepts for Earth Resources, Final Report,
1976 (1 of 5)
Box 2, Folder 26
User Dissemination Concepts for Earth Resources, Final Report,
1976 (2 of 5)
Box 2, Folder 27
User Dissemination Concepts for Earth Resources, Final Report,
1976 (3 of 5)
Box 2, Folder 28
User Dissemination Concepts for Earth Resources, Final Report,
1976 (4 of 5)
Box 3, Folder 1
User Dissemination Concepts for Earth Resources, Final Report,
1976 (5 of 5)
Box 3, Folder 2
Western Regional Applications Program (WRAP) memoranda,
1977
Box 3, Folder 3
Landsat Newsletter: Signature,
1977-1978
Box 3, Folder 4
Institute for Advanced Computation, Landsat Image Processing Documentation,
1977-1978
Box 3, Folder 5
Western Regional Applications Program (WRAP) Summary Reports,
1977-1980
Box 3, Folder 6
Newsletter: Pixel Facts,
1977-1981
Box 3, Folder 7
CZCS Coastal Zone Color Scanner Investigations Correspondence,
1978
Box 3, Folder 8
Institute for Advanced Computation, Landsat Imaging Program Descriptions and User Guides,
1978
Box 3, Folder 9
Institute for Advanced Computation, Landsat Image Processing, Final Report,
1978
Box 3, Folder 10
Western Regional Applications Program (WRAP) Review,
1978
Box 3, Folder 11
Western Regional Applications Program (WRAP) Training Program,
1978
Box 3, Folder 13
Newsletter: Landsat Data User Notes,
1978-1980
Box 3, Folder 14
Newsletter: Plain Brown Wrapper,
1978-1981
Box 3, Folder 15
Western Regional Remote Sensing Conference Proceedings,
1979
Box 3, Folder 16
Western Regional Applications Program (WRAP) Publications,
1980
Box 3, Folder 17
1982 Report: Renewable Resources Remote Sensing Research Program
Box 3, Folder 18
Earth Resources Bibliography,
1983
Box 3, Folder 19
Land-Related Global Habitability Science Issues,
1983
Box 3, Folder 20
Airborne Science and Applications Program, 20th Anniversary,
1984
Box 3, Folder 21
Code LX Extraterrestrial Research Division Roster,
1984
Box 3, Folder 22
ECOSAT Research Activity and Publication Update,
1985
Box 3, Folder 23
Life Science Division Roster,
1985
Box 3, Folder 24
ECOSAT Branch Strategy Planning Document,
1986
Box 3, Folder 25
ECOSAT Branch, Annual Report,
1986
Box 3, Folder 26
NASA Earth Systems Science Overview,
1986
Box 3, Folder 28
ECOSAT Branch, Annual Report,
1988
Box 3, Folder 29
Newsletter: What on Earth,
1989-1995 (1 of 2)
Box 3, Folder 30
Newsletter: What on Earth,
1989-1995 (2 of 2)
Box 3, Folder 31
Memoranda and Correspondence: ECOSAT Branch,
1989-1995
Box 3, Folder 32
Earth Systems Science Division, Annual Reports,
1990
Box 3, Folder 33
Earth Systems Science Division, Annual Reports,
1991-1993
Box 3, Folder 34
Earth Systems Science Division, Annual Reports,
1994-1998
Box 3, Folder 35
Mission to Planet Earth Call for Proposals,
1995
Box 3, Folder 36
An Exercise in Automated Analysis of Remotely Sensed Data,
undated
Box 3, Folder 37
Center for Health Applications of Aerospace Related Technologies,
undated
III: NASA Ames Administrative Records, 1971-2001
Box 3, Folder 38
Clippings, Ephemera,
1958-1995
Box 3, Folder 39
Miscellaneous Project Management Documents,
1968-1991
Box 3, Folder 40
Administrative Memoranda,
1971-2001
Box 3, Folder 41
Personal, Commendations,
1977-1983
Box 3, Folder 42
Active Job Order Numbers, Fiscal Year,
1982
Box 3, Folder 43
NASA Excellence Teams at Ames Research Center: A Dynamic Approach to Productivity,
1983-1988
Box 3, Folder 44
Ames Human Resources Division Publications,
1985-1995
Box 3, Folder 45
NASA Strategic Plan,
1992
Box 3, Folder 46
Awards, Length of Service Honors,
1992-1999
Box 4, Folder 1
Human Resources-Related Publications and Memoranda,
1994-1998
Box 4, Folder 2
Ames, "State of the Center,"
1996
IV: General/Reference Publications, 1961-1999
Box 4, Folder 3
Missiles and Rockets: The Missile Space Weekly, November 27,
1961
Box 4, Folder 4
Reference Publications,
1962-1971 (1 of 5)
Box 4, Folder 5
Reference Publications,
1962-1971 (2 of 5)
Box 4, Folder 6
Reference Publications,
1962-1971 (3 of 5)
Box 4, Folder 7
Reference Publications,
1962-1971 (4 of 5)
Box 4, Folder 8
Reference Publications,
1962-1971 (5 of 5)
Box 4, Folder 9
Computer Program Documentation Time Phasing Program (TIPP),
1968
Box 4, Folder 10
AIAA Journal Subject and Author Indexes,
1968-1971
Box 4, Folder 12
NASA Human Interest Files,
1971
Box 4, Folder 13
Safe Living with Less Energy,
1974
Box 4, Folder 15
Bits & Pieces, The Economics Press, Inc.,
1975
Box 4, Folder 16
Calspan Corporation Annual Report,
1975
Box 4, Folder 18
Newsletter: Logist-O-Gram,
1975
Box 4, Folder 19
Inventories of Irrigated Lands in Southern Idaho Using Various Remote Sensing Techniques, R.C. Heller and K.A. Johnson,
September 30, 1977
Box 4, Folder 20
Newsletter: Institute for Advanced Computing,
1977
Box 4, Folder 21
Institute for Advanced Computation, Magnetic Tape (I4) Facility Descriptions,
1977-1978
Box 4, Folder 22
Institute for Advanced Computation, Unicon File System,
1978
Box 4, Folder 23
Newsletter: Vax News,
1978-1980
Box 4, Folder 24
Newsletter: NASA Newsline,
1979
Box 4, Folder 25
CRAY-IS, Coding Techniques for Vectorization,
1982
Box 4, Folder 26
Newsletter: CCF (Central Computer Facility) Bulletin,
1982-1993
Box 4, Folder 27
Newsletter: NSSDC (National Space Science Data Center) News,
1985-1990
Box 4, Folder 28
Newsletter: Life Lines,
1986
Box 4, Folder 29
Newsletter: On Line,
1987-1990 (1 of 2)
Box 4, Folder 30
Newsletter: On Line,
1991 (2 of 2)
Box 4, Folder 31
Directory of Applications Software for Cray Supercomputers,
1989
Box 4, Folder 32
Newsletter: On Target,
1989-1991
Box 4, Folder 33
Newsletter: Interface,
1990-1991
Box 4, Folder 34
The Importance of "Small" Science, G. Dalrymple,
1991
Box 4, Folder 35
Newsletter: Sun News,
1991
Box 4, Folder 36
Newsletter: Moffett Beacon,
September-October 1994
Box 4, Folder 37
Newsletter: Tae + Bulletin,
1995
Box 4, Folder 38
Astrobiology Workshop Final Report,
1996
Box 4, Folder 39
Newsletter: NFFE,
April-May 1996
Box 4, Folder 40
Y2K Desktop Readiness Initiative,
1999
Box 4, Folder 41
The Eros Data Center,
undated
Box 4, Folder 42
Hydrology and Geology of the Chicxulub Structure: A Possible Buried K/T Impact Crater in Yukatan, Mexico, Draft,
undated
