157 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine ENERGY, ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING Drawing upon a formative interest in the aeronautical industry, Russell Rhodes attended the Indiana Institute of Technology in Fort Wayne, Indiana, receiving a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical engineering in 1958. Following the receipt of his bachelor’s degree, he was drafted into the United States Army. In light of his knowledge of and his degree in aeronautical engineering, Mr. Rhodes was sent to Huntsville, Alabama, where he became a member of the rocket team led by Dr. von Braun. Notably, Mr. Rhodes worked intensively in the Missile Firing Laboratory of the ABMA, introducing him to the wonders of outer space. Mr. Rhodes departed from the United States Army in 1961 and joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), where he excelled as a systems engineer and management until his retirement in 2012. He remains a charter member of NASA’s Space Propulsion Synergy Team, which was initially chartered in 1991. During his tenure with NASA, Mr. Rhodes led several technical studies and co-authored a myriad of technical papers on advanced space propulsion and space transportation systems. Through these endeavors, he was instrumental in introducing the world to the vast operational applications of mass spectrometry in the field. Mr. Rhodes is particularly gratified by his involvement in engineering space vehicles, as well as his work toward putting a man on the moon. First assigned to propellant loading and high-pressure gas servicing on the Saturn vehicle series, he came upon a problem in the Saturn IV, which had a propellant loading sensor failure that prevented the vehicle’s launch. Due to his breadth of engineering knowledge, Mr. Rhodes implemented a new procedure that led to the successful launch of the vehicle. Looking toward the future, Mr. Rhodes intends to continue enjoying his well-deserved retirement, although he is still actively involved in the aeronautical industry. As he puts it, “I never retired, I just stopped going to work.” In the coming years, he plans to continue leading the Space Propulsion Synergy Team and bringing its products to fruition. Millennium Magazine Featured Listee RUSSEL RHODES SYSTEMS ENGINEER (RETIRED) National Aeronautics and Space Administration Indian Harbour Beach, FL
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