Jack Funk was a renowned aeronautical engineer who made significant strides in the field of astromechanics and spacecraft technology. His career spanned across two of the most influential space agencies in the United States - the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Funk's work at NACA and later at NASA was marked by his innovative approach and dedication to advancing the field of aeronautics. His contributions were not only significant but also instrumental in shaping the future of space exploration and technology. His work was recognized by several awards and citations, a testament to his expertise and impact in the field. One of Funk's key areas of research was atmospheric turbulence and gust loads. His work in this area has been widely recognized and has led to several publications. These papers have provided valuable insights into the understanding of atmospheric conditions and their impact on aeronautical engineering and space technology. Despite his significant contributions, Funk remained a humble and dedicated scientist throughout his career. His commitment to his work and his passion for aeronautics and space technology were evident in his work and his interactions with his colleagues and peers. This biographical data sheet, created in October 2003, provides a glimpse into the life and career of Jack Funk. It highlights his achievements and contributions to the field of aeronautics and space technology and serves as a testament to his dedication and commitment to his work. In conclusion, Jack Funk was a pioneering figure in the field of aeronautics and space technology. His work at NACA and NASA has left a lasting impact on the field, and his contributions continue to inspire and guide future generations of scientists and engineers.

Scope and Content Note
October 30, 2003: Jack Funk, an experienced engineer who has made significant contributions to aeronautical engineering, provides a detailed account of his professional journey, including his work with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and his experiences flying through thunderstorms and conducting airborne radar measurements. Funk shares his experiences working on various aviation projects, such as researching atmospheric loads for the U-2 project, writing reports on aircraft stability and missile dispersion due to winds, and addressing issues with fogging windows on aircraft during his trip to Germany. His involvement with the Space Task Group is also discussed, providing insights into his diverse roles in the field of aviation. The interview also highlights Funk's work at NASA, where he was involved in several key projects. He developed charts for launch systems, performed entry analysis, and worked on lunar descent trajectories and Delta-V budgets for missions to the Moon. His role in selecting computer systems for NASA is also mentioned, indicating his expertise in both engineering and information technology. A significant portion of the interview is dedicated to discussing the early stages of the Apollo program. Funk shares his experiences working with the Apollo guidance computer at MIT, developing lunar guidance equations, and working on free-return trajectories. He also reflects on the success of Apollo 11 and his thoughts at the time. Funk's work on Skylab and the Space Shuttle is also discussed, along with his involvement in studying lunar landings. He shares his experiences working with V-2 rockets and V-G recorders and recounts a story about a plane crash. The interview concludes with a request for more stories about his work on Skylab, ASTP, and the Shuttle, indicating that his contributions to these projects were significant and noteworthy.

November 5, 2003: Jack Funk discusses his professional journey and contributions to the Space Shuttle Program, NASA, and NACA. He provides an in-depth look into his roles and responsibilities, including reviewing contracts and configurations, suggesting design changes, and analyzing the Skylab trajectory. Jack also shares his experiences in simulating the Skylab's motion and predicting its impact. Funk's work extended to the Skylab dynamic model, where he proposed the cancellation of a project aimed at placing Skylab in a higher orbit. His career trajectory later led him to McDonnell Douglas and Unisys, where he dealt with programming and debugging issues. Jack shares an anecdote about a unit conversion error that caused a problem during a Shuttle flight, highlighting the challenges and intricacies of space missions. The interview also sheds light on Funk's significant accomplishments, such as developing a trajectory program for NASA. It delves into his biggest challenge, which was working on the Skylab Program. . Funk's reflections on his work with Dr. Robert Gilruth and the success of the team under his leadership provide insights into the collaborative and leadership aspects of space programs. Funk's contributions to the design of the landing pads for the Moon are also discussed, along with the editorial process for technical reports and the presentations he made to convince others of their work. The interview reveals how he chose the landing site for the first Moon landing and the timeframe for the project, offering a glimpse into the decision-making and planning processes involved in space missions.