Roger D. Launius
Roger D. Launius (born May 15, 1954) is an American historian and author who has been the chief historian for NASA and is presently the Associate Director of Collections and Curatorial Affairs for the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Launius specializes in air and space history and the history of the Latter Day Saint movement.
Launius was born in Galesburg, Illinois, and was raised in Greenville, South Carolina. He attended Graceland College and Louisiana State University. From 1982 to 1990, Launius worked in a number of positions as a civilian historian with the United States Air Force. Between 1990 and 2002, he was the chief historian for NASA. In 2001, he held the Charles A. Lindbergh Chair in Aerospace History at the Smithsonian. Since 2002, Launius has held his position with the National Air and Space Museum.
Launius was president of the Mormon History Association in 1993–94 and was president of the John Whitmer Historical Association in 1991–92. He is a member of the Community of Christ.
Launius has authored numerous books and articles on the history of aerospace, the Latter Day Saint movement, and baseball in the United States.
External links
- "Dr Roger Launius", Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum biography
- "Roger Launius", NASA biography