Charles J. Donlan

Charles Joseph Donlan (July 15, 1916 – September 28, 2011) was an American NASA researcher and manager, who was involved in the development of its facilities and research techniques, and the formulation, implementation, and direction of technical programs in support of crewed and uncrewed space exploration.

Early life and career Donlan was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on July 15, 1916. He was educated at public schools in North Andover, Massachusetts, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering, from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in June 1938. He was offered a position at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the forerunner of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), by John Victory, its Executive Secretary.

Donlan moved to Hampton, Virginia,