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For release: 03/25/02
Release #: 02-064

National Space Club recognizes Space Shuttle Project Manager Alex McCool for lifetime contributions

Alex A. McCool Jr., manager of the Space Shuttle Projects Office at the Marshall Center, has received the National Space Club's 2002 Astronautics Engineer Award. The award recognizes outstanding personal contributions in engineering management to the national space program.

Photo: Alex McCool (NASA/MSFC)

Nearly a half-century of contributions to America’s space program were recognized when Alex A. McCool Jr., manager of the Space Shuttle Projects Office at NASA’s Marshall Space Center in Huntsville, Ala., accepted the National Space Club’s 2002 Astronautics Engineer Award. McCool received the award at the 45th Annual Goddard Memorial Dinner March 22 in Washington, D.C.

McCool’s 48-year career includes exceptional contributions to the vehicle that launched America into orbit, the rocket that carried man to the moon, America’s first space station and the world’s first reusable spaceship, the Space Shuttle.

The Astronautics Engineer Award, first given by the National Space Club in 1959, recognizes those who have made an outstanding personal contribution in engineering management to the national space program.

McCool began his career in rocket development in 1954 at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, working on the design of the Redstone Jupiter rocket. In 1960, he joined NASA to continue working with Dr. Wernher von Braun, the Marshall Center’s first director and a leader in America’s race to space.

As a charter member of the Marshall Center, McCool was instrumental in the design of the propulsion systems for the Saturn launch vehicles that propelled Apollo to the Moon and directed project engineering for Skylab, the first space science laboratory.

McCool also served as director of the Structures and Propulsion Laboratory at Marshall during the design of the Shuttle’s propulsion elements. He played a leadership role in engineering the Space Shuttle’s Main Engine and Solid Rocket Boosters.

McCool is the recipient of several awards, including the Presidential Rank of Meritorious Executive from President George Bush in 1991, as well as the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, Exceptional Service Medal, and Outstanding Leadership Medal.

An avid runner at age 78, McCool and his wife Genelle reside in Huntsville.

The Marshall Center’s Space Shuttle Projects Office is responsible for design, development, flight readiness and performance of propulsion systems for the Space Shuttle. It oversees the Shuttle’s Solid Rocket Boosters, the Reusable Solid Rocket Motors, the orange External Tank and the Shuttle’s Main Engines.

The Marshall Center is a key leader in the development of space transportation and propulsion systems for NASA.