Distinguished Engineer
Hometown: Woonsocket
Physics,
Jack W. Wild graduated from South Dakota State College after serving in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Kansas in 1952. Wild began his career at NASA headquarters in 1967 and served as director of Advanced Studies and Chief of Shuttle Upper Stages Branch. He was responsible for all advanced studies carried out by the Office of Manned Space Flight including those resulting in the selection of the upper stages which were used to place payloads into orbits of higher energy than attainable by the Shuttle Orbiter alone. As chief of Shuttle Upper Stages Branch, he was responsible for the NASA effort concerned with the development of these stages. Prior to joining NASA, Wild was manager of Space Systems for Westinghouse Electric Corp. He received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal in 1976 and was a member of several technical and professional societies.