Short Wave Hal Walker: The Man Who Shot The Moon
Mar 25, 2022
Dive into the fascinating world of the Apollo 11 mission and its legacy. Discover how groundbreaking laser technology was used in lunar experiments, connecting past achievements to modern science. Hear about Hal Walker's inspiring journey from the Navy to becoming a key figure in space exploration and education. Delve into the challenges faced by African-American professionals in the aerospace industry and the importance of these advancements in understanding our universe. The podcast reveals the passion behind inspiring the next generation of space enthusiasts.
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Accidental Start
- Hal Walker's career began accidentally when he gave a friend a ride to a job interview at Douglas Aircraft.
- While waiting, an interviewer offered him a job installing and testing radar on planes.
Cold War Work
- Walker's radar experience led him to work on the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System during the Cold War.
- This system aimed to provide early warnings of missile launches from the Soviet Union.
From Radar to Lasers
- After working in Alaska, Walker joined Korad, a company led by the inventor of the first laser.
- There, he built and operated a ruby pulse laser with a power output of about a billion watts.