Below you will find uncut interviews with some of George Gloeckler’s closest friends and colleagues. These interviews were filmed in the making of George’s memoir. These videos are full length interviews and provide insight to George Gloeckler’s spectacular career with NASA. There is tons of fascinating material here!
Kenneth McCracken part 1
Ken speaks about how his carer began and the incredible path he took to become a “Feral Physicist”.
Kenneth McCracken part 2
Ken speaks about the first generation of space explorers. He reminisce’s about pioneers including Parker, Simpson, Van Allen and others. Ken also explains how these pioneers opened the door for 1st generation space scientists like Gloeckler, Stone, and Krimigis.
Kenneth McCracken part 3
Ken talks about how balloons led the way for eventual exploration above the atmosphere. We also learn about Van Allen’s “Rockoons” and who discovered radiation belts in a highly competitive field.
Kenneth McCracken part 4
“You don’t have to be mad to be a scientist, but it doesn’t hurt”. Ken talks about risk taking and how the field was no place for the old and timid.
Kenneth McCracken part 5
Ken talks about technology and how they were developing instruments to collect data that had never before been collected.
Kenneth McCracken part 6
Ken looks back at the University of Maryland and the University of Chicago and explains why they were absolute powerhouses in regards to space science and instrumentation.
Kenneth McCracken part 7
Ken discusses his opinion of the state of space science today. Over time bureaucracy and special interests have slowed science and made young scientists less likely to take risk.
Kenneth McCracken part 8
https://vimeo.com/192511730
Ken talks about Johannes Giess and his accomplishments. He also speaks about how science effects humanity.