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Department of Education - Debate, 1979

 File — Box: 42, Folder: 15

Scope and Content

From the Collection: The processed collection includes 3 series: NASA, Legislative; Photographs. (Collection located in overflow shelving: B3-18A, sections 7-11.)

The NASA series contain a variety of personal and professional material from Schmitt’s tenure in the Apollo Program. Schmitt joined NASA as one of a few astronauts with a scientific background therefore the material in this series documents this historic event. Official transcripts, technical reports, maps, photographs and personal papers comprise the bulk of the series.

There are eight subseries that organize the material. The documents in the first three subseries are technical in nature. The remaining five subseries contain more personal material about Schmitt’s experience as an Apollo astronaut.

Subseries descriptions:
From the Collection:
  1. I. Apollo Program – This subseries relates to the development and execution of the Apollo missions. Subjects include mission operations directorates, lunar communication plans, NASA committee meetings and contractors. The material is specific to administrative planning and addresses general mission operations. Most of the documents were distributed department wide from 1964-1986.
  2. II. Flight Operations – Flight Ops include spaceflight technology, mission procedures and astronaut training material. The subseries is organized into three sections to address the major aspects of flight ops. The Apollo Mission Techniques section highlights the flight operation plans of specific missions. The Command Service Module section includes Earth to moon flight procedures, crew training and air-to-ground transcripts. The Lunar Module section contains information about transportation methods used on the lunar surface.
  3. III. Science – This subseries focuses on the development and application of lunar and space science. There are three main sections that comprise the subseries, general science, lunar mapping and energy. Science, General includes lunar research, experiment methods and instrument design. Science, Lunar Mapping contains lunar maps and other spatial analysis from the USGS and NASA. Science, Energy contains documents from NASA’s energy research and development program post Apollo.
  4. IV. Lectures and Testimonies - This subseries includes records from Schmitt’s speaking engagements during his career in the Apollo Program. The lectures and testimonies were given at various academic and private institutions and ranged from topics of lunar geology to energy development.
  5. V. Conferences and Workshops – This subseries contains materials from various conferences and workshops Schmitt attended while working as a scientist astronaut. The subseries includes records and transcripts from a number of historic meetings such as the Fairchild Conference and Woods Hole Meeting.
  6. VI. Writings – Writings contains personal and professional papers related to Apollo 17. Writings include Schmitt’s notes from his Apollo mission as well as scientific publications. There are also a number of unpublished chapters about his personal experiences leading up to the lunar mission.
  7. VII. Correspondence – This subseries includes professional and personal correspondence related to Schmitt’s career as an astronaut. Contributors include public supporters, professional societies, universities and family members.
  8. VIII. Memorabilia – Press and Memorabilia contains magazine articles, press clippings, awards and other objects that pay tribute to Schmitt’s contribution to the Apollo mission. Original poems, music compositions and drawings are just a few of the items stored in this subseries.
From the Collection: The Legislative series contains professional and personal materials from Schmitt’s tenure as U.S. Senator from New Mexico, (1976-1982). Documents pertaining to his legislative activities make up the bulk of the series and include correspondence with colleagues and constituents, speeches, statements, press releases, administrative materials, and background research and clippings related to legislation.

The series contains substantial material on federal legislative issues with which Schmitt was actively involved. Major topics include energy policy, science, technology, space exploration, immigration reform, deregulation of various industries, and Native American programs and policy. Legislative issues directly impacting New Mexico are also documented in this series. Native American education, the Navajo-Hopi land dispute, mining, WIPP (Waste Isolation Pilot Plant), wilderness areas, low-income housing, services for senior citizens, and the promotion of business, science, and technology in the state are particularly noteworthy.

Photographs include original prints, negatives, slides and transparencies from Harrison H. Schmitt’s career as Apollo Astronaut and U.S. Senator. The series is divided into four subseries: Senate, Senatorial Campaign, Apollo Astronaut and NASA. The first three subseries contain an assortment of personal and “official" Senate photographs with written descriptions. The NASA section includes government issued photographs, negatives and slides from the Apollo Program. This section documents astronaut training, mission operations, instrument diagrams and the lunar surface. Most of these as well as additional NASA images are available for download from the following websites: Lunar and Planetary Institute, NSSDC Photo Gallery, and Project Apollo Archive.

Dates

  • 1979

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: 92 boxes (92.2 cu. ft.) plus 1 oversize folder (Collection located in overflow shelving: B3-18A, sections 7-11.)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451