Título: Jimmy Doolittle
Seção: U.S. space program
Background: James Harold Doolittle (December 14, 1896 - September 27, 1993) was an American aviation pioneer. A Reserve officer in the United States Army Air Corps, Doolittle was recalled to active duty during World War II. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for personal valor and leadership as commander of the Doolittle Raid, a bold long-range retaliatory air raid on the Japanese main islands, on 18 April 1942, four months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The attack was a major morale booster for the United States, and Doolittle was celebrated as a hero.

Conteúdo: Doolittle became acquainted with the field of space science in its infancy. He wrote in his autobiography, "I became interested in rocket development in the 1930s when I met Robert H. Goddard, who laid the foundation [in the US].... While with Shell [Oil] I worked with him on the development of a type of [rocket] fuel...." Harry Guggenheim, whose foundation sponsored Goddard's work, and Charles Lindbergh, who encouraged Goddard's efforts, arranged for (then Major) Doolittle to discuss with Goddard a special blend of gasoline. Doolittle piloted himself to Roswell, New Mexico in October 1938 and was given a tour of Goddard's workshop and a "short course" in rocketry and space travel. He then wrote a memo, including a rather detailed description of Goddard's rocket. In closing he said, "interplanetary transportation is probably a dream of the very distant future, but with the moon only a quarter of a million miles away--who knows!" In July 1941 he wrote Goddard that he was still interested in rocket propulsion research. The Army, however, was interested only in JATO at this point. Doolittle was concerned about the state of rocketry in the US and remained in touch with Goddard.  Shortly after World War II, Doolittle spoke to an American Rocket Society conference at which a large number interested in rocketry attended. The topic was Robert Goddard's work. He later stated that at that time "...we [the aeronautics field in the US] had not given much credence to the tremendous potent

user: When did he first get involved with the space program?

assistant: Doolittle became acquainted with the field of space science in its infancy.

user: What drove his interest in the program?

assistant: I became interested in rocket development in the 1930s when I met Robert H. Goddard, who laid the foundation

user: Did he contribute anything to the program during this time?

assistant: Doolittle piloted himself to Roswell, New Mexico in October 1938 and was given a tour of Goddard's workshop

user: Did he do anything during the war?

assistant: Shortly after World War II, Doolittle spoke to an American Rocket Society conference at which a large number interested in rocketry attended.

user: Did he serve on any boards or panels for the space program?

assistant: In 1956, he was appointed chairman of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA)

user: Did he accomplish anything specific during this time?

assistant: Doolittle, Dr. Hugh Dryden and Stever selected committee members, such as Dr. Wernher von Braun from the Army Ballistic Missile Agency,

user: Did he chair the committee or was it someone else?

assistant: In 1956, he was appointed chairman of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) because the previous chairman, Jerome C. Hunsaker, thought Doolittle to be more sympathetic