Byron Lavoy Cockrell

Byron Lavoy Cockrell (1935–2007) was an American rocket scientist and engineer who conducted research and development of micro-motors for solid propellant rockets and was later involved in the Minuteman ICBM program.

Early life Byron Cockrell was born on July 3, 1935, to Webster and Willa Cockrell of Lineville, Alabama. He was one of four children and grew up in Clay County, Alabama. He attended Clay County High School and later earned a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Auburn University.

In 1957, he married Hazel Goodman of Lineville, Alabama. They eventually had four children, daughters, Julie and Gwendolyn, and sons, Jeffrey and Bruce.

Career

Cockrell's career took his family across the United States, including Alabama, Utah, Texas, and Virginia.

Cockrell focused on reducing motor sizes to accommodate the trend in propellant research. Several factors drove this trend to include: Many researchers had an upper restriction on propellant quantity Increasing toxicity and/or sensitivity of new formulations Limited availability or cost of novel propellant ingredients

Before the new, smaller motors could even be built, Cockrell and team had to completely redesign the motor hardware to allow them to be remotely fired. These innovative, new motor designs also had to consider the stress on the hardware especially since it was going be evaluating very hazardous materials. While working for Vought Systems in Texas, Cockrell conducted design and analysis to define a detailed configuration capable of meeting the stringent performance, structural, and mass properties requirements set forth in their new government contract. Cockrell and team delivered 25 successful heavywall motor tests, and 31 successful flight motor tests. The work culminated in the fabrication of a complete prototype. Since 1976, its launch success rate was 100 percent and included 23 satellites launched for the international space organizations. One year later, the MLRS design was complete and production began in 1980.

Atlantic Research Corporation, Virginia

While working for Atlantic Research Corporation (now Aerojet) in Virginia, Cockrell served as a program director. His leadership, experience, and expertise served several programs well to include the Minuteman program. During this time, he was recognized as an Associate Fellow by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). According to Article III 3.2, of the AIAA's Constitution:

Personal life After retirement, he remained in Virginia where he spent time with his children, three grandsons and six granddaughters. In 2006, his wife Hazel died and a year later his mother Willa (93) died after being married to his father for 65 years.