Robert W. Farquhar

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Robert W. Farquhar
University of Illinois, University of California
Alma materStanford University
Scientific career
InstitutionsNASA
Thesis The Control and Use of Libration-Point Satellites  (1968)

Robert Willard Farquhar (September 12, 1932 – October 18, 2015) was an American mission design specialist who worked for NASA. He designed halo orbits and was involved in a number of spaceflight missions.

Farquhar was elected as a member into the National Academy of Engineering in 2012 for deep space missions to asteroids and comets and for leading the NEAR mission to Eros.

Early life and education

Robert Farquhar was born Robert Greener on September 12, 1932, in

model airplanes of his own design.[1]

Farquhar attended

Fort Bragg as part of the 82nd Airborne Division. In late 1952, Farquhar requested to be transferred to a division which was taking part in the Korean War, being deployed to the 187th Infantry Regiment stationed in Japan. After some training in Japan, Farquhar was invited to attend clerk typist school and became the company clerk, writing reports, for some time. One day, after some North Korean prisoners were released, Farquhar's division was moved to Kimpo airfield for one month. There, he was on the front lines until the ceasefire.[1]

Returning to the U.S., Farquhar attended the

PhD in astronautics which he obtained in 1968.[1]

Career

Farquhar worked for

libration points formed the groundwork of the International Sun-Earth Explorer-3 satellite's orbit,[2] and he later developed a trajectory that would allow it to intercept the Giacobini–Zinner comet in 1985, a feat that resulted in a congratulatory letter from President Ronald Reagan.[3] In 2014, Farquhar worked with a team that attempted to reposition the satellite into its previous orbit to continue scientific measurements.[4]

Whilst working at the

Discovery program of NASA.[5] He developed the trajectory of the CONTOUR space probe, though the probe failed shortly after launch.[6]

Farquhar is also credited with being the first to develop use of

Giacobini-Zinner on September 11, 1985. He was also New Horizons' first encounter mission manager.[5]

Farquhar died on October 18, 2015, following complications of a respiratory illness at his home in Burke, Virginia. He was 83.[5][8] The Eunomia asteroid 5256 Farquhar was named in his honor.[9]

Family

Minor planet

5947 Bonnie was named after his first wife, Bonnie Gail Farquhar (1936–1993).[10]

Minor planet

5957 Irina was named after his wife Irina Victorovna Farquhar.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b c DeVorkin, David (November 15, 2007). "Oral History Transcript — Dr. Robert Farquhar". American Institute of Physics. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  2. ^ a b Morin, Monte (June 25, 2014). "For him, satellite reboot is about reconnecting with an old friend". LA Times. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  3. ^ Greenfieldboyce, Nell (March 18, 2014). "Space Thief Or Hero? One Man's Quest To Reawaken An Old Friend". National Public Radio. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  4. ^ Thomson, Iain (April 25, 2014). "Privateers race to capture forgotten NASA space probe using crowdsourced cash". The Register. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d "New Horizons Team Bids Farewell to Bob Farquhar". New Horizons – NASA's Mission to Pluto. October 26, 2015. Archived from the original on October 26, 2015. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  6. ^ Roylance, Frank (January 19, 1998). "Mission designer is at top of his game Peers are boggled by his orbital dexterity". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  7. ISBN 978-0387789057
    .
  8. ^ Cowing, Keith (October 18, 2015). "Robert Farquhar 1932-2015". SpaceRef. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  9. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3
    .
  10. ISBN 978-3-540-29925-7
    .
  11. ISBN 978-3-540-29925-7
    .

External links
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