A Legacy of Innovation: The Life and Contributions of Abe Silverstein
Abe Silverstein was a pivotal figure in the development of aerospace technology, particularly at the NASA Glenn Research Center. His work spanned several decades and touched on numerous critical areas of research, including engine systems, jet propulsion, wind tunnel design, and the use of liquid hydrogen as a fuel. His contributions helped shape the future of both aviation and space exploration.
Early Career and Education
Born on September 15, 1908, in Terre Haute, Indiana, Silverstein pursued his education at Rose Polytechnic Institute, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering in 1929. He returned for further studies in 1934, laying the foundation for a career that would change the course of aerospace history.
After graduating, Silverstein began working at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) at the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory. There, he collaborated with Smith DeFrance to design the Full-Scale Tunnel (FST), an essential facility for aerodynamic research. Silverstein's innovative approach to preventing turbulence in the tunnel's framework set a new standard for wind tunnel design.
Contributions During World War II
During World War II, NACA established the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory in Cleveland. In 1943, Silverstein became the manager of the Altitude Wind Tunnel there. One of the key projects at this facility was the Bell YP–59A Airacomet, the first experimental aircraft to use jet propulsion. At the time, few people realized the significance of this innovation.
Silverstein also played a crucial role in solving technical challenges, such as cooling problems in the Wright R–3350 engines used in the B–29 Superfortress. By adding baffles, he improved the reliability of these engines, which were vital to the war effort.
Throughout the war, Silverstein and his team worked on early turbojet engines, achieving a major milestone in 1945 with the first successful afterburner operation. This breakthrough demonstrated the potential of high-speed flight and jet propulsion.
Expanding Research and Vision
In 1945, Silverstein became the head of the Wind Tunnels and Flight Division at the lab. He was one of the first to recognize the importance of jet engines and high-speed flight. To promote knowledge, he started evening classes for staff, ensuring that others could benefit from his expertise.
Silverstein also played a key role in planning several supersonic wind tunnels, including the 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel and the 10- by 10-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel. These facilities became essential tools for aerospace research.
In the mid-1950s, Silverstein expanded research to include high-energy propellants and nuclear propulsion. He reorganized divisions within the lab, creating the Nuclear Reactor Division and the Fluids Systems Components Division to focus on nuclear propulsion and cryogenic fuels. He also advocated for the establishment of the Plum Brook Reactor Facility to study radiation effects on aerospace components.
Liquid Hydrogen and Space Exploration
One of Silverstein’s most significant contributions was promoting liquid hydrogen as a fuel. Although early rocketeers had considered it, the technology was not ready until the 1950s. Researchers at Lewis began exploring high-energy fuels, and in 1954, successful tests led Silverstein and Eldon Hall to predict that missions using liquid hydrogen would perform better than those using traditional fuels.
In 1957, they successfully flew the B–57 Canberra using liquid hydrogen. Although the project was not continued, Silverstein remained a strong advocate for its use in space programs.
As interest in space research grew, Silverstein and his team at Lewis believed it was a natural extension of aeronautics. After the launch of Sputnik in 1957, Silverstein helped create a new space agency, eventually becoming the Chief of Space Flight Programs at NASA.
Leadership and Later Years
Silverstein played a key role in planning space missions and establishing the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. He chaired the board that selected the source for the Mercury capsule and contributed to naming the Mercury and Apollo programs.
In 1958, he led a review that showed NASA needed high-energy fuels for its missions. This effort resulted in the formation of the Saturn Vehicle Team, known as the "Silverstein Committee," in 1959. He successfully persuaded Werner von Braun to develop stages that could use liquid hydrogen.
In 1961, Silverstein returned to the Lewis Research Center as its director. He oversaw the development of the Centaur rocket, which successfully launched in 1963. The Centaur supported the Surveyor missions and launched numerous satellites and probes throughout the solar system.
Silverstein contributed to over 50 technical reports and spoke at many international conferences. He received several honors, including NASA's Outstanding Leadership Medal and the Guggenheim Medal. He retired in 1969 but continued to advocate for aerospace advancements.
Legacy
Abe Silverstein passed away on June 1, 2001, at the age of 92. NASA honored him by renaming its 10-by-10-foot tunnel in his honor and establishing the Abe Silverstein Award for outstanding research. As one of the pioneers of aeronautical engineering, his impact on NASA and the aerospace industry remains profound.
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