Friday, March 29, 2024

Meet Hal Walker, the Man who Successfully Fired the Laser to the Moon: Apollo 11 Moon Landing Mission

hal walker
Hildreth (Hal) Walker Jr.

*Los Angeles, CA — If you want to know who the man is that fired the KORAD K-1500 Ruby Laser to the moon successfully, look no further, it’s Hildreth (Hal) Walker, Jr. Truly a NASA hidden figure, Walker led the manufacturing, testing and operation of the KORAD K-1500 ruby laser system in 1969 during the Apollo 11 Moon Landing. The Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment was the only interactive planetary experiment that took place for the first Moon Landing.

 

Walker’s key role for KORAD who was contracted by NASA was discovered 25 years later. Walker’s Apollo 11 Lunar Laser Ranging Interplanetary Experiment was replicated in 1994, in an interactive exhibit located in the Hands-on Science section of Science in American Life at the National Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. Walker was also honored in the exhibit’s permanent section, “The New Moon.”

 

Walker explains, “When America needed its best, they sought people like me out which is why I ended up working on the first ever science project in outer space. But ultimately it’s your inner space that defines everything.”

 

Walker was selected by Dr. Jerome Lemelson, the third leading inventor in American History, to make the Inaugural presentation at the National Smithsonian Museum’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation in Washington, D.C.

buzz aldrin - hal walker
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin & Hal Walker

 

Today, Professor Hal Walker spends his time working for the non-profit organization

African American Male Achievers Network (A-MAN), Inc. STEM International Science Center, that he co-founded along with his wife Dr. Bettye Walker in 1991. A-MAN is dedicated to building the leaders and participants in science and technology for tomorrow. They share their legacy with the students and provide experiences that prepare them to attend higher academic institutions and begin fulfilling the nation’s leadership and technological needs.

 

LINK to A-MAN website: https://www.aman.org

 

“In the 21st Century, we must use technology as a solution and promote technologists.” says Walker.

 

In 1997, President Nelson Mandela invited the Hildreth and Bettye to establish and implement science and technology programs in townships and schools across South Africa.

 

Prof. Walker and Dr. Bettye are making history as they are opening the first chapter of the National Space Society on the African Continent, the Cape Town Space Society on February 27, 2019. The Media Launch is February 21, 2019, both at Buren High School, 26 Poole St. Brooklyn, Cape Town, 7405, South Africa.

 

Professor Walker is an amazing man, that has important stories to tell, as he moves forward in the world of science and technology generously sharing his knowledge to the world.

 

About Hildreth (Hal) Walker

Aerospace engineer and scientist Hildreth “Hal” Walker, an early pioneer in the field of laser telemetry who, amongst other accomplishments, was the only person to successfully fire the Laser to the Moon during the Apollo 11 Moon Landing in 1969.

 

Walker’s space technology involvements began in 1959 as a technical member of the 

RCA Corporation’s BMEWS ( Ballistic Missile Early Warning System) situated in the Alaskan frontiers to detect Soviet Missile nuclear attacks. This experience prepared him to expand his career into the laser technology industry in early 1964 at KORAD Laser Systems, a Division of the Union Carbide Corporation. As a laser systems specialist, Hal traveled throughout the United States and the world introducing advanced new laser technologies to the fields of scientific research and industrial applications. In 1974, Walker joined the Hughes Aircraft Company where he participated in developing and placing the first Tactical Laser Target Designator System into the U.S. Army inventory. Mr. Walker retired in 1989 from the management team of the Hughes Aircraft Company . He then served until 2010 as president and CEO of TECH PLUS, an international laser technology consultant group. The group participated in national projects such as the Laser Induced Plasma Fusion at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

 

Walker was appointed to be a JPL/NASA Solar System Ambassador in 2000. In this role he participates as a speaker and specialist in space – related technology issues. His responsibilities are promoting public education and development of local community awareness and benefits regarding space technology and deep space future exploration. He is a Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics ( AIAA ) Educator Associate, board member, OASIS chapter of the National Space Society and member of the Downtown Los Angeles Rotary Club.

 

Hal is a graduate of Pacific Christian College (Cum Laude) with a BS Degree, Business Technology Management.

 

 

 

 

 

 

source:
Edna Sims
ESP Public Relations
[email protected]

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