Tom Dolan (engineer)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Dolan was an American engineer
who proposed the first fully developed concept of Lunar orbit rendezvous
for the Apollo program while working at Vought Astronautics
.
Dolan referred to his LOR study concept, Manned Lunar Landing and Return (MALLR) was largely ignored by NASA
administrators until Langley engineer John Houbolt
began championing the concept in 1961.
In the fifth episode of the 1998 HBO mini-series From the Earth to the Moon, entitled "Spider," Tom Dolan is portrayed by Alan Ruck
.
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
who proposed the first fully developed concept of Lunar orbit rendezvous
Lunar orbit rendezvous
Lunar orbit rendezvous is a key concept for human landing on the Moon and returning to Earth.In a LOR mission a main spacecraft and a smaller lunar module travel together into lunar orbit. The lunar module then independently descends to the lunar surface. After completion of the mission there, a...
for the Apollo program while working at Vought Astronautics
Vought
Vought is the name of several related aerospace firms. These have included, in the past, Lewis and Vought Corporation, Chance Vought, Vought Sikorsky, LTV Aerospace , Vought Aircraft Companies, and the current Vought Aircraft Industries. The first incarnation of Vought was established by Chance M...
.
Dolan referred to his LOR study concept, Manned Lunar Landing and Return (MALLR) was largely ignored by NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
administrators until Langley engineer John Houbolt
John Houbolt
John Cornelius Houbolt is a retired aerospace engineer. He is generally credited with having effectively promoted the lunar mission mode called Lunar Orbit Rendezvous or LOR. This flight path was first endorsed by Wernher von Braun in June 1961 and was chosen for Apollo program in early 1962...
began championing the concept in 1961.
In the fifth episode of the 1998 HBO mini-series From the Earth to the Moon, entitled "Spider," Tom Dolan is portrayed by Alan Ruck
Alan Ruck
Alan Ruck is an American film, stage and television actor, perhaps best known for his roles as Cameron Frye in Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Stuart Bondek on Spin City.-Early life:...
.