William H(ayward) Pickering - Gifford Observatory, Honours

Rocket scientist, born in Wellington, New Zealand. He studied in the USA, and in 1944 joined the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which he went on to direct (1954–76). He oversaw the first orbit of the Earth by a US satellite (1958), the first US soft landings on the Moon, the first mission to orbit Mars (Mariner IX) and the first missions to Venus and Mercury (Mariner X). He received an honorary knighthood in 1976.

William Hayward Pickering ONZ KBE (December 24, 1910—March 15, 2004) was a New Zealand born rocket scientist who headed Pasadena, California's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for 22 years, retiring in 1976. William Hayward Pickering is not to be confused with William Henry Pickering, an astronomer from an earlier era.

As the Director of JPL, from 1954, Pickering was closely involved with management of the Private and Corporal missiles under the aegis of the U.S. Army. In 1958 the lab's projects were transferred to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Pickering's team concentrated on NASA's unmanned space-flight program. JPL, under Pickering's direction flew further Explorer 3 and Pioneer missions as well as the Ranger and Surveyor missions to the moon and the several Mariner flybys of Venus and Mars.

Pickering's main attributes, beyond his scholarly achievements, were his team organisational and project management skills.

Born in Wellington, New Zealand, Pickering attended Havelock School, Marlborough, and Wellington College.

Between 1977 and his death in 2004, Pickering also served as Patron of the New Zealand Spaceflight Association;

Gifford Observatory

Sir William H. Pickering re-opened the Gifford Observatory as the guest of honour, on 25 March 2002.

Honours

IEEE Edison Medal in 1972, For contributions to telecommunications, rocket guidance and spacecraft control, and for inspiring leadership in unmanned exploration of the solar system. National Medal of Science in 1975 awarded by President Gerald Ford Honorary (because of his American citizenship) Knight Commander in the Order of the British Empire in 1975 Japan Prize in 1994 June 2, 2003 he became an honorary member of the Order of New Zealand.