John C. Fischbeck
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Oral Histories
The interviews in this collection were selected from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Oral History Program, which contains interviews with aerospace legends, analyses of key events, aerospace chronologies, and more. The interviews included here are those that relate specifically to NOAA's mission.
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John Fischbeck is a seasoned professional who has made significant contributions to the field of space exploration, particularly in the SRB Recovery Ships project at the Kennedy Space Center. His career is marked by his involvement in the challenging and innovative task of retrieving solid rocket boosters from the ocean. Fischbeck's work has not only involved technical expertise but also unique experiences such as dealing with a Russian trawler and the salvage operation after the Challenger disaster. His role extended to the process of towing the external tank barge from Michoud to the Kennedy Space Center, a task that came with its own set of challenges and responsibilities. Fischbeck's role as the senior retrieval supervisor during missions involved coordinating with other supervisors and ensuring communication with divers underwater. His experiences also include working on the barge for Shuttle launches, which involved decision-making for media reasons, dealing with unexpected incidents like a shark accident, and the emotional impact of the last Shuttle mission. Fischbeck's career also saw him through the end of the Space Shuttle program, a significant event that had a profound impact on the crew members.
Scope and Content Note
The interview with John Fischbeck provides a comprehensive insight into the SRB Recovery Ships project at the Kennedy Space Center. It covers the challenges and innovations involved in retrieving solid rocket boosters from the ocean, including the use of parachutes and the Diver-Operated Plug (DOP). The interview also delves into unique experiences, such as dealing with a Russian trawler and the salvage operation after the Challenger disaster. Fischbeck discusses his role in towing the external tank barge from Michoud to the Kennedy Space Center, the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the transportation route, and his responsibilities as the senior retrieval supervisor during missions. The interview also covers the development of new methods and technologies to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the retrieval process. Fischbeck reflects on his experiences on the barge for Shuttle launches, including an accident involving a shark and the emotional impact of the last Shuttle mission. The interview concludes with Fischbeck's reflections on the end of the Space Shuttle program, the changes made to the parachutes and retrieval methods, and the significance of the names of the ships.
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