Roy F. Brissenden
Encyclopedia
Roy Frampton Brissenden (19 April 1919 - 13 March 1999) was a NASA physicist, engineer, teacher and inventor whose pioneering and imaginative work made possible the advancement and accomplishments of the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle programs.
, where he received his public education and began his early careers. The eldest of three sons (James and Edward), Roy showed keen interest in aviation from an early age. His parents were persons of strong moral fibre, with solid work ethics and an entrepreneurial bent. These traits, paired with his natural inquisitiveness, became manifest in a character that would eventually produce astonishing results.
, Roy embarked upon a career which was to prove critical to his life’s work. In 1943, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps
as a pilot and flight instructor. An ace pilot, himself, 2nd Lieutenant Brissenden flew P38s, P47s and P51s; and trained cadets in instrument flying in AT6s. Upon his discharge in 1945, Roy joined the Air Force Reserve, and returned to the Winston-Salem Journal & Sentinel, and the family business.
, Virginia
, having been recruited to join the professional staff of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics
(NACA) at Langley Research Center
, later to become National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). His concentration while at NACA/NASA was in the design, construction and training for Rendezvous and Docking Programs. He, alone, designed the Docking Simulator and supervised its construction; employing the expediency and physical means which saved the government several millions of dollars. In the Simulator, Roy personally trained all the Apollo Mission astronauts for lunar orbital flight and landings. The Docking Simulator was his major professional accomplishment. A massive work of engineering artistry and detail, it has been designated as a National Monument, and hangs in perpetual display in the NASA Hangar, Building #1244. During his tenure, Roy was the author or co-author of more than 40 published professional papers. For the design of aeronautic and general scientific equipment and devices, he was the awardee or co-awardee of numerous U.S. patents and of Presidential Citations.
Early Life and Family Values
Roy Frampton Brissenden was born, 19 April 1919, to Henry Frampton and Elsie Ball Brissenden in Winston-Salem, North CarolinaNorth Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, where he received his public education and began his early careers. The eldest of three sons (James and Edward), Roy showed keen interest in aviation from an early age. His parents were persons of strong moral fibre, with solid work ethics and an entrepreneurial bent. These traits, paired with his natural inquisitiveness, became manifest in a character that would eventually produce astonishing results.
The Work Begins
From age 11, Roy began working in the family business, founded by his father, and acquired a firm grounding in industry, craftmanship and marketing. In 1936, he graduated from R. J. Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem. From 1938 until 1943, while continuing in the family business, he was also employed by Piedmont Publishing, contracting as a distribution manager for the Winston-Salem Journal & Sentinel.World War II
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Roy embarked upon a career which was to prove critical to his life’s work. In 1943, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
as a pilot and flight instructor. An ace pilot, himself, 2nd Lieutenant Brissenden flew P38s, P47s and P51s; and trained cadets in instrument flying in AT6s. Upon his discharge in 1945, Roy joined the Air Force Reserve, and returned to the Winston-Salem Journal & Sentinel, and the family business.
Post-war Academic Career
After the War, Roy conducted energetic independent study into physics and avionics. In 1951, he entered North Carolina State College at Raleigh to further pursue his dream, earning his baccalaureate degree in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering in 1955. He was discharged from the Air Force Reserve the same year. Roy would eventually attend Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, Virginia, in the midst of his NASA career, to acquire his masters degree in the same discipline.Hampton, Virginia and NACA / NASA Langley
In 1955, Roy chose to relocate to HamptonHampton, Virginia
Hampton is an independent city that is not part of any county in Southeast Virginia. Its population is 137,436. As one of the seven major cities that compose the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, it is on the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula. Located on the Hampton Roads Beltway, it hosts...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, having been recruited to join the professional staff of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics
National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics
The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics was a U.S. federal agency founded on March 3, 1915 to undertake, promote, and institutionalize aeronautical research. On October 1, 1958 the agency was dissolved, and its assets and personnel transferred to the newly created National Aeronautics and...
(NACA) at Langley Research Center
Langley Research Center
Langley Research Center is the oldest of NASA's field centers, located in Hampton, Virginia, United States. It directly borders Poquoson, Virginia and Langley Air Force Base...
, later to become National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). His concentration while at NACA/NASA was in the design, construction and training for Rendezvous and Docking Programs. He, alone, designed the Docking Simulator and supervised its construction; employing the expediency and physical means which saved the government several millions of dollars. In the Simulator, Roy personally trained all the Apollo Mission astronauts for lunar orbital flight and landings. The Docking Simulator was his major professional accomplishment. A massive work of engineering artistry and detail, it has been designated as a National Monument, and hangs in perpetual display in the NASA Hangar, Building #1244. During his tenure, Roy was the author or co-author of more than 40 published professional papers. For the design of aeronautic and general scientific equipment and devices, he was the awardee or co-awardee of numerous U.S. patents and of Presidential Citations.