Page 174 - MY STORY

STL M&P

I came into the McDonnell Douglas Astronautics
Company (MDAC) M&P Department as a Branch Chief
responsible for metals, ceramics, and chemical processing.

The materials laboratories in St. Louis were in a
completely separate laboratory organization, unlike our
structure in Huntington Beach. MDAC was the missile

and space arm of MDC, while across the street was the
McDonnell Aircraft Company, home of manned fighter
jets.

The Research Labs (MDRL) were a completely separate

entity. So there were three major organizations in St.
Louis when I arrived. I believe the M&P organization,
under Don K, numbered around 70 souls. The functional
organizations were truly “silos” and jealously guarded

their territory which did not surprise me.

Our M&P organization worked on materials development,
heavy on the ceramics side while working to support bid
and proposal efforts and ongoing programs. We provided

support to the ongoing NASA Orbital Workshop Airlock
effort, a couple of classified space programs, and the
Navy Harpoon weapon development.