Hunter, Maxwell White

▪ 2002

      American aeronautical engineer (b. March 11, 1922, Hollidaysburg, Pa.—d. Nov. 10, 2001, Los Angeles, Calif.), was a leading rocket scientist who was influential in the development of the U.S. space program. After earning a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1944, Hunter went to work for Douglas Aircraft. While at Douglas he designed early versions of the B-42 and B-43 bombers, rockets for the Apollo Moon-landing program, Nike antiaircraft missiles, and an intermediate-range ballistic missile known as Thor. In the 1960s he served as space policy adviser to Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. From 1965 to 1987 Hunter worked for the Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. He reportedly helped sell the administration of Pres. Ronald Reagan on the idea for the U.S. Strategic Defense Initiative, known as “Star Wars.” In later years Hunter established a consulting firm, SpaceGuild Inc., and worked on designs for a reusable launch vehicle to replace the space shuttle.

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