Noel William Hinners, born on December 25, 1935, was a distinguished figure in the field of space exploration and geology. His career spanned several decades, during which he made significant contributions to NASA's space programs and later at Lockheed Martin. Hinners grew up in Chatham, New Jersey, as one of eight siblings. His father worked as an insurance agent, while his mother was a homemaker. His academic journey began at Rutgers University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Agricultural Science in 1958. He furthered his education at the California Institute of Technology, earning a master's degree in Geology, and completed his academic pursuits with a Ph.D. in Geochemistry from Princeton University in 1963. After completing his doctorate, Hinners joined Bellcomm, an AT&T subsidiary that provided support to NASA. His work there was instrumental in the Apollo program, particularly in selecting landing sites for the missions. His tenure at NASA, from 1972 to 1979, included roles such as the director of Lunar Programs and associate administrator for Space Science. His leadership was recognized with the NASA Distinguished Service Medal in 1977. In 1979, Hinners took on the role of director at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, a position he held until 1982. He then became the director of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, where he served until 1987. His final roles at NASA were as the Chief Scientist and associate deputy administrator until 1989. Transitioning to the private sector, Hinners joined Lockheed Martin as vice president of Flight Systems, where he continued to work on projects closely associated with NASA. His responsibilities included overseeing missions such at the Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Surveyor Program, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Stardust, and Genesis Discovery missions, as well as Space (Nuclear) Power Systems and Mission Operations for NASA/LM planetary missions. He retired from this position in 2002.

Scope and Content Note
August 18, 2010: This interview with Dr. Noel Hinners provides a comprehensive overview of his extensive career in the space industry, particularly his contributions to NASA's lunar and planetary exploration programs. Dr. Hinners recounts his early career and his role at Bellcomm, where he offered technical support to NASA Headquarters. He reflects on his involvement in the historic Apollo program, detailing the meticulous and systematic approach adopted to prepare for potential failures and ensure mission success. He also discusses his work on the Surveyor and Lunar Orbiter programs, highlighting the challenges of lunar exploration and the integration of scientific objectives into these missions. Dr. Hinners shares his perspective on the assassination of President Kennedy and its profound impact on the space program, emphasizing the political and budgetary pressures that shaped NASA's endeavors. He delves into the tension between engineering and science goals, particularly in the context of site selection for the Apollo landings, and describes the dynamic and sometimes contentious decision-making processes. The interviewee also touches upon the post-Apollo lunar mission concepts, which were ambitious but ultimately unrealized due to shifting priorities. He addresses the high costs associated with conducting science on human missions, noting that the Apollo program bore the brunt of these expenses. Dr. Hinners expresses concerns about the Shuttle program's financial demands and the risks of relying solely on the Shuttle for launching science payloads. Dr. Hinners recounts his transition from a technical role to a managerial position, sharing insights into the challenges of managing mission costs and budgeting. He offers anecdotes from his experiences lobbying for funding for significant projects like the Galileo and Hubble missions and reflects on the complexities of international collaboration, particularly with the Russian space program. Furthermore, Dr. Hinners discusses his interactions with Congress and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), as well as his involvement in the Viking and Space Station programs. He sheds light on the strategic planning activities at Goddard Space Flight Center and their decision to participate in the Space Station program. Throughout the interview, he underscores the importance of surrounding oneself with talented individuals, being adaptable to change, and the value of learning from past experiences to inform future endeavors in space exploration.

August 19, 2010:  This interview with Dr. Noel W. Hinners, conducted by Rebecca Wright on August 19, 2010, in Littleton, Colorado, provides a detailed account of Dr. Hinners' career and his perspectives on space exploration, particularly focusing on his experiences with NASA and his contributions to various space missions and projects. Dr. Hinners discusses his involvement in the decision-making process regarding the Hubble Space Telescope project, including the decision to delay its start due to budget constraints and opposition on Capitol Hill. He reflects on the implications of this decision and his opposition to the idea of a $5 million placeholder in the budget, which he saw as a mere appeasement to the astronomy community. Dr. Hinners shares his experience teaching at the university level, the extensive preparation required for lectures, and the value of his real-world experience to students, especially in the wake of the Space Shuttle Columbia accident. He emphasizes the importance of practical knowledge and the insights he could offer students about career choices and the realities of working within a large bureaucracy like NASA. He strongly advocates for a Mars sample return mission, drawing parallels to the scientific breakthroughs achieved through the analysis of lunar samples from the Apollo missions. Dr. Hinners argues that understanding celestial bodies requires detailed analysis in Earth labs, which cannot be matched by remote sensing or in situ instrumentation on the Moon or planets. Finally, Dr. Hinners reflects on his broad-based education at Princeton and how it shaped his career. He acknowledges that while his preference for a broad spectrum of science and management suited his personality, the success of space missions relies on the detailed work of many specialized individuals. He expresses caution in extending his philosophy to others, recognizing the diversity of roles and skills necessary in the field of space exploration. Throughout the interview, Dr. Hinners provides insights into the complexities of space mission management, the interplay between human exploration and robotic science, and the importance of sample return missions for advancing our understanding of the solar system. His experiences offer a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of space exploration from the viewpoint of a seasoned leader in the field.