UUM_Ms0202.xml Inventory of the James Chipman Fletcher papers Fletcher (James Chipman) papers Finding aid prepared by Samuel J. Passey, Elizabeth Rogers and Betsey Welland. J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections

2006 (last modified: 2010 and 2019)
295 South 1500 East Salt Lake City, Utah 84112 Business Number: 801-581-8863 special@library.utah.edu https://lib.utah.edu/collections/special-collections/index.php
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-04-29. Finding aid written in English. Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard), 2nd Edition. J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections James Chipman Fletcher papers Fletcher, James Chipman, 1919-1991 MS 0202 182.25 linear feet 1933-1992 The James C. Fletcher papers (1933-1992), cover Fletcher's time as NASA administrator from 1971-1977, and aspects of this professional life following his departure from NASA in the Carter Administration, and his return to NASA following the Challenger disaster in 1986. He also served as President of the University of Utah. English .

James Chipman Fletcher, born 5 June 1919, in Millburn, New Jersey, attended high school in New York City and received a B.A. in physics from Columbia University in 1940. He served as a research physicist with the U.S. Navy Bureau of Ordnance, and in 1941 became a special research associate at the Cruf Laboratory of Harvard University. He went to Princeton University in 1942 as a teaching fellow and later was an instructor and research physicist.

Under an Eastman Kodak fellowship, Dr. Fletcher received his Ph.D. degree in physics in 1948 from the California Institute of Technology. He joined Hughes Aircraft Company as director of the Theory and Analysis Laboratory in the Electronics Division.

In 1954, Dr. Fletcher joined the Ramo-Wooldridge Corporation as an Associate Director and soon became Director of Electronics in the Guided Missile Research Division, later to become Space Technology Laboratories, with responsibility for all United States ICBM's. In July 1958 Dr. Fletcher organized the Space Electronics Corporation with his associate Frank W. Lehan. Space Electronics Corporation merged with the spacecraft division of Aerojet in 1961 to form the Space General Corporation of which Dr. Fletcher was the first president. He later became Chairman of the Boardof Space General and Systems Vice President of the Aerojet General Corporation, where he served until becoming the eighth president of the University of Utah in 1964. Leaving the University after seven years, Dr. Fletcher returned to work with the aerospace industry through the government when he was appointed administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 1971. He served in this capacity until 1977. Following the Challenger disaster in 1986, Fletcher assumed once again took up the reigns at NASA and served as administrator from 1986-1989.

Dr. Fletcher served on more than fifty national committees, and as chairman of ten. In March 1967, he was appointed by President Johnson to the President's Science Advisory Committee for a four year term. He was a member of the National Academy of Engineering, was a Fellow of the IEE and an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges, Chairman of the Naval Warfare Panel, a Regent of the National Library of Medicine, and on the Visiting Committee of the National Bureau of Standards. He was a member of Sigmi Xi and the recipient of the Alumni Distinguished Service Award of the California Institute of Technology in 1966.

Dr. Fletcher died 22 December 1991.

The James Chipman Fletcher papers consist of records, correspondence, and other documents primarily relating to his tenure as the Administator of NASA, the top position in that organization. Among the items included in Fletcher's papers are his appointment books. These are quite detailed accounts of Dr. Fletcher's meetings, as the books indicate with whom he met, at what time, and for how long. In some cases there is also a brief note on the subject of the discussion.

The bulk of the papers consist of speech and travel information. As NASA Administrator, Dr. Fletcher was called upon frequently to speak at affairs related to the aerospace industry, as well as address the requisite number of graduating classes and service organizations. He also traveled on tours of inspection and was present at various space launches.

For some years, following the speech and travel files, are notes and information from meetings and briefings. Some of these contain formal briefing charts and extensive printed materials on proposed NASA-related programs. In 1975-1977 there appear a number of files dealing with the fiscal year budgets.

Dr. Fletcher's handwritten notes on meetings or general office business are followed by the correspondence files. The general correspondence is filed by date. There are, however, some special subject files, such as those on Soviet Union and United States cooperation, which are filed chronologically within subject. Personal correspondence included with the collection consists of letters or recommendation as well as correspondence with friends.

There are a number of miscellaneous files at the end of each year. These include reports, telephone messages, newspaper clippings, and other similar items. Finally, the requests for autographs from the years 1971-1978 are filed together at the end of the collection.

The memorabilia includes clippings about Dr. Fletcher's appointment, biographies of NASA Austronauts, various certificates, plaques, models, and other items.

See also the James Chapman Fletcher presidential papers from his tenure as president of the University of Utah housed in the University of Utah Archives.

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Some items from box 201, folder 3 have been removed and placed in Reserve. Photocopied versions are available in the collection for access purposes. Access to the originals must be given by the Manuscripts Curator and by appointment. An archivist must remain with the items if being used.

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library's Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.

Donated by James C. Fletcher and family (boxes 1-121) in 1992.

Donated by Fletcher family (boxes 122-200) in 2006.

Donated by Stephen and Kelly Fletcher (boxes 201-248) in 2010.

Processed in 1992 by Fletcher's office staff.

Addenda processed by Elizabeth Rogers in 2006.

Addenda processed by Betsey Welland in 2010.

The photographs and recordings were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections.

See also the James C. Fletcher presidential records (ACC 199) located in the University of Utah Archives.

See also the William John Todd NASA patch collection located in the Manuscripts Division of Special Collections.

 Fletcher, James Chipman, 1919-1991--Archives United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration--Administrator Astronautics--United States--Sources Science Correspondence Schedules and speeches Appointment book 1971 1 1 Statement before the Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences, United States Senate 1971 March 1 2 Notes for speech to the JASON Committee, Institute for Defense Analyses 1971 April 23 1 3 Schedule for trip to MSFC, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Aerospace Corporation 1971 May 1 4 Speech to the twenty-fifth annual conference of the Aerospace Industries Association of America, Inc. 1971 May 1 5 Schedule for trip to Manned Spacecraft Center, Denver, Colorado and Salt Lake City 1971 1 6 Schedule for trip to Langley Research Center, AMES Research Center, and Salt Lake City 1971 June 1 7 Commencement address at California Institute of Technology 1971 June 1 8 Statement before the Subcommittee on HUD, Space, and Science, Committee on Appropriations, United States Senate 1971 June 23 1 9 Schedule for trip to Kennedy Space Center 1971 June 23 1 10 Avery Memorial Speech at University of Nebraska's Student Union luncheon 1971 June 1 11 Schedule for trip to Kennedy Space Center 1971 July 1 12 Schedule and briefing for trip to Kennedy Space Center for Apollo 15 launch 1971 July 1 13 Schedule for trip to Manned Spacecraft Center 1971 July-August 1 14 Schedule and opening remarks for trip to Space Science Board Summer Study on outer planet exploration, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 1971 August 1 15 Schedule for trip to Aerospace Corp., Los Angeles, California 1971 August 1 16 Schedule for trip to Lewis Research Center 1971 September 2 1 Schedule and to Houston, Texas and Salt Lake City, Utah and speech presented to the Utah State Medical Association 1971 July-October 2 2 Speech at the National Security Industrial Association annual meeting 1971 September 2 3 Schedule for trip and speech to the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce 1971 September-October 2 4 Schedule for trip to Mississippi Test Facility Bay and special Apollo awards ceremony in Houston, Texas 1971 October 2 5 Speech to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 1971 July-October 2 6 Schedule for trip and remarks to the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board, Lakewood Country Club, Rockville, Maryland 1971 October 2 7 Speech to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Washington, D.C. 1971-1972 2 8 Speech for the NASA Conference on Civil Aviation, Langley Research Center, Virginia 1971 October-November 2 9 Schedule for trip and speech for the Lochinvar Group, New York City; visit to JPL for Space Science Board meeting; Mariner/Mars encounter; and Edwards Air Force Base in California. 1971 November 2 10 Speech to the National Space Club luncheon, Washington, D.C. 1971 November 2 11 General Files: November-December 1971 3 Correspondence: July-December 1971 4 Miscellaneous Reports 1971 5 Speech and Travel Files 1972 6 Speech and Travel Files 1972 7 Travel Files 1972 8 Correspondence 1972 9 Space Shuttle Correspondence 1972 10 Budgets, Personal Correspondence, Miscellaneous Files 1972 11 Speeches, Introductions, Travels 1973 12 Speeches, Travel 1973 13 Travel 1973 14 Briefings, Meetings 1973 15 Correspondence, Hearings, Notes 1973 16 Correspondence, Space Shuttle, NASA research 1973 17 NASA Files: Research, Personnel, Clippings 1973 18 Appointments, Speeches, Travel 1974 19 Travel 1974 20 Travel 1974 21 NASA Briefings 1974 22 Research Files 1974 23 Correspondence 1974 February-March 24 Correspondence 1974 September-December 25 Clipppings, Notes, Speeches 1974 26 Speeches, Travel 1975 27 Speeches, Travel 1975 28 Travel Files 1975 29 Meetings, Briefings 1975 30 Presentations, Research 1975 31 Reports, Technical Bulletins 1975 32 NASA Fiscal Year Budget 1977 33 Correspondence 1975 34 Correspondence 1975 35 Clippings, Notes, Travel 1976 36 Speeches, Travel 1976 37 Speeches 1976 38 Travel 1976 39 Speeches, NASA Meetings 1976 40 Meetings, Briefings 1976 41 Breifings, Space Shuttle, Research 1976 42 Space Shuttle, Research 1976 43 Subject Files 1976 44 Speeches, Budget 1976-1978 45 Meetings, Budget Planning 1976-1978 46 Notes, Space Policy, Correspondence 1976 47 Correspondence 1976 48 Correspondence 1976 49 Messages, Articles, Remarks 1977 50 Speeches, Travel 1977 51 Speeches, Travel, Meetings 1977 52 Meetings, Briefings, Space Shuttle 1977 53 Appropriations, Correspondnece 1977 54 Personal Correspondence, Resignation from NASA 1977 55 Requests for Autographs 1975-1978 56 Appointment as NASA Administrator 1971 57

This box includes clippings, certificates, memorbilia, and transparencies from Dr. Fletcher's appointment and confirmation as NASA Administrator.

 Personal Esatate Information 1987-1988 58 NASA Publications, Aerospace Daily 1986-1987 59 NASA News, Budget, Policy 1982-1988 60 Current News Current News 1986-1987 61 Current News 1987-1988 62 Current News 1988-1989 63 Current News 1986 64 Current News 1986 65 Current News 1986 66 Current News 1987 67 Current News 1987 68 Current News 1987 69 Current News 1987 70 Current News 1988 71 Current News 1988 72 Current News 1988 73 Current News 1988 74 Current News 1989 75 Television Transcripts Television Transcripts 1987 76 Television Transcripts 1987-1988 77 Television Transcripts 1988 78 Television Transcripts 1988-1989 79 Subject Files Subject Files: A-C 80 Subject Files: D-U 81 Personal Files Appointment Calendars 1977-1987 82 Correspondence 1983-1986 83 Correspondence, Personal files 1985-1986 84 Calenders, Subject Files-- People 1978-1984 85 Subject Files--People 86 Subject Files--People 87 Subject Files: A-M 88 Subject Files: M-Sa 88 Subject Files: Sn-W 89 NASA Files 1986-1989 90 Retirement Files 91 Biographical Data 1979-1985 92 Financial Records 93 DSB Files 1985-1986 94 DSB General Correspondence 95 DSB Meetings 96 DSB Task Forces 97 DSB Meetings, Task Force 98 Burroughs Consultants, Paoli Meetings 99 Burroughs Consultants Strategic Planning 100 Burroughs Corp. Meetings 101 Burroughs Corp Meetings, People 102 Burroughs Corp Marketing 103 Speeches 1987-1989 104 Speeches 1987-1989 105 Hand-written Notes 1987 106 Hand-written Notes 1987 107 Department of Energy Files 108 Department of Energy Conservation Panel 109 Missile Defense Technologies 110 Energy Research Advisory Board 111 Defense Files--Miscellaneous Reports 112 Defensive Technologies Initiative 113 Institute for Defense Analysis 114 SDI Files 115 SDI Correspondence 116 SDI Meeting 117 Speeches 1986-1989 118 File Listings, Calendars 1986-1989 119 Correspondence 1986-1989 120 Correspondnece, Travel 121 Subject Files Subjects: A-B 122 Subject Files: B-C 123 Subject Files: E-F 124 Subject Files: G-I 125 Subject Files: J-O 126 Subject Files: P-R 127 Subject Files: S 128 Subject Files: Space-Speeches 129 Subject Files: Sr-T 130 Subject Files: U-X 131 NASA Files 1970s 132 Presidential and NASA Correspondence 1972-1988 133 Jimmy Carter, 1977-1988 Gerald and Betty Ford, 1974-1976 Richard and Pat Nixon, Lady Bird Johnson, 1972-1974 Nelson Rockefeller, 1975-1976 Ronald Reagan, 1972-1980 General Files Evans and Sutherland 134 External Tanks Corporation 135 Institutes of Health 136 Washington International Club 137 Personal Papers 138 Personal Papers 139 Societies 140 Correspondence 1958-1962 141 Correspondence 1963-1970 142 Correspondence 1967-1990 143 Government Correspondence 1963-1989 144 Personal Correspondence 1971-1991 145 Speeches 146 Institutes of Health 147 Speeches 148 University of Utah 149 University of Pittsburgh 150 Energy Issues Class 151 Energy Issues Class 152 Energy Issues Class 153 NASA Subject Files: A-N 154 NASA Subject Files: P-S 155 NASA Subject Files: S-U 156 Fairchild Industries 1989-1991 157 Fairchild Industries 1989-1990 158 Fairchild Industries 1988-1991 159 Fairchild Industries 1989-1992 160 Fairchild Industries 1990 161 Fairchild Industries 1990 162 Fairchild Industries 1990 163 Fairchild Industries 1989-1990 164 Disarmament Society 165 Disarmament Society 166 Panels and Reports 167 Presidential Taskforces 168 Ethics and Audit Committees 169 Aerojet 170 Aerojet and Raytheon 171 Evans and Sutherland 172 Medical Sciences 173 The Presidents Science Advisory Committee 174 Space Dynamics Research Corporation 175 Space Dynamics Research Corporation-Space Electronics Corporation 1959-1989 176 Space General 1961-1989 177 Space General-Space Museum Correspondence 1955-1989 178 Subject Files A 179 Subject Files: B-C 180 Subject Files: C-E 181 Subject Files: E-I 182 Subject Files: I-L 183 Subject Files: M-N 184 Subject Files: N-O 185 Subject Files: O-P 186 Subject Files: P-R 187 Subject Files: R-T 188 Subject Files: T-Y 189 Events 1970s 190 Events 1970s 191 Events 1970s 192 Printed Material 193 Printed Material 194 Notes 195 Personal Documents 196 Certificates and Ephemera 197 Articles of Interest 198 Scrapbook Material and Clippings 199 NASA Badges 200 Correspondence 1972-1978 201 1

The correspondence in this folder is to Fletcher from individuals affiliated with NASA.

 Energy and Man's Environment Energy Education Workshop program 1979 January 20 201 2

Fletcher was the keynote speaker at the workshop held at Southern Utah University.

 Commemorative materials and postage stamps 1971-1977 undated 201 3

This folder contains the following items:

Viking "Microdot" is an exact replica of one attached to each of the two Viking Landers. The microdot bears reduced images of the signatures of about 10,000 individuals who contributed to the success of the project. Space Station commemorative pin in honor of the contract awarded to Rocketdyne by NASA-Lewis Research Center to design, develop and build the Electric Power System for America's Space Station. First day of issue stamps. Space program postage stamp.

The postage stamps have been removed and placed in Reserve. Photocopied versions are available in the collection for access purposes. Access to the originals must be given by the Manuscripts Curator and by appointment. An archivist must remain with the items if being used.

 Ariel photograph caption information circa 1965 201 4

The photograph caption describes the image as the view of lower California, Mexico from the Gemini V spacecraft viewed by astronuats Gordon Cooper and Charles Conrad. The photograph was not included with the item in this folder.

 "NBN Scholarship Students' Daily Report on U.S. Study Tour and Orientation at Univ. of Utah" [photocopy] 201 5

The original report was created in 1966.

 News clippings 1964-1974 201 6 Awards, memorabilia and models General Materials 1976-1989 202

This box contains correspondence, a calendar, certificate, and memorabilia.

 Award Certificates 1977-1989 203 Award Certificates 1988-1990 204 Award Certificates 1933-1975 205 Award Certificates 1967-1986 206

The certificates in this box were signed by Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Ronald Reagan.

 Award Certificates and Correspondence 1970-1992 207 Award Certificates and Framed Memorabilia 1985-1988 208

Includes a framed commemorative NASA space shuttle program and mission insignias pin collection.

 Awards 1974-1977 209 Awards 1971-1989 210 Awards and Medals 1972-1988 211 Award undated 212 Plaques 1986-1989 213 Plaque 1974 214 Plaque undated 215 Plaques 1975-1989 216 Plaque 1977 217 Plaque 1989 218 Plaque 1976 219 Plaques 1975-1989 220 Plaques 1971-1992 221 Plaques 1989 222 Artwork 1984 and undated 223 NASA Plastic and Embroidered Logo undated 224 Satellite Images 1972 and undated 225 Memorabilia undated 226 Shuttle Spacecraft Cake Decoration undated 227 Statue of a Young Man undated 228 Lamp Shade 1977 229

The lamp was presented to Fletcher by the Lewis Research Center.

 Lamp Base 1977 229 A Command and Service Modules Model undated 230 Satellite Model 1989 231

This model was presented to Fletcher from the Office of Space Science and Application.

 Space Rocket? Model undated 232 Boeing 747-300 Airplane Model undated 233 Conical Accelerator NASP Concept Model 1989 234

This model was presented to Fletcher by the NASA Langley Research Center.

 Lockheed Space Shuttle Model undated 235 First Liquid Fueled Rocket Model 1989 236

This model was presented to Fletcher by the Goddard Space Flight Center.

 First Liquid Fueled Rocket Model 1972 237

This model was presented to Fletcher from the Goddard Space Flight Center.

 Satellite? Model 1977 238

This model was presented to Fletcher from the Goddard Space Flight Center.

 Viking Lander '75 and Viking Spacecraft '75 Models 1975 239 Viking Spacecraft on a Mars Background Model 1976 240 Apollo Spacecraft Model undated 241 Space Shuttle undated 242 Apollo-Soyuz Test Project Model undated 243 NASA Space Shuttle Model 1972 244 Skylab Model undated 245 Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) Model undated 246 Saturn V Rocket Model undated 247

The height of the model is 87 1/2" and the base is 14 3/4" square.

 "Lorena C. Fletcher as Candidate for Utah Mother of the Year Award" Scrapbook 1936-1967 248