Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Sir William Pickering, a great New Zealander


Sir William Pickering, a great New Zealander

Media statement from Pete Hodgson, Minister for Research, Science and Technology

"Sir William Pickering was one of the outstanding scientific talents New Zealand has produced, Research Science and Technology Minister Pete Hodgson said today. "He stood alongside our Nobel Prize winners as an example of brilliance and achievement in the pursuit of knowledge."

Dr Pickering, the New Zealand-born giant of rocket science and space exploration, has died at his California home, aged 93.

"I extend my sympathy to Sir William's family, friends and scientific colleagues for their loss," Mr Hodgson said. "His life was inspirational and his place in scientific history is assured."

William Pickering was born in Wellington in 1910. He was educated at Havelock Primary, in the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington College and Canterbury College, now the University of Canterbury, before moving to the United States in 1929 to study at the California Institute of Technology (Cal Tech), where he gained his PhD in physics in 1936.

Dr Pickering became Director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena and led the development of US unmanned space exploration, including the first US satellite, Explorer 1, the first successful American around-the-moon probe, Pioneer IV, the Mariner flights to Venus and Mars in the 1960s, the Ranger photographic missions to the moon and the Surveyor lunar landings of 1966-67. He became known as "Mr JPL".

"In 1941 Dr Pickering became an American citizen, but he never forgot New Zealand," Mr Hodgson said. "In a deliberate move to give something back to his country of birth, he established the WH Pickering Fellowship for New Zealand graduates to study engineering or science at Cal Tech."

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Dr Pickering returned to Canterbury University last year to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering. More than 1500 people came to hear him speak, and gave him a standing ovation.

Last year the Royal Society of New Zealand established the Pickering Medal to recognise excellence and innovation in the practical applications of technology. The Medal is to be awarded annually to a person who through design, development or invention has performed innovative work in New Zealand with results of national and international significance or significant commercial success. The first nominations are currently being sought.

For further information: http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2004/mar/HQ_04094_pickering.html

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/releases/2004/86.cfm

http://www.nexusresearchgroup.com/space_expl/pickering.htm

http://www.comsdev.canterbury.ac.nz/news/2003/03031902.shtml

http://www.rsnz.govt.nz/awards/pickering/index.php


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

Featured News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.