Speakers,Miss USA,Speakers Bureau,Motivational Speaker,Keynote Speaker,Shandi Finnessey Walter Cunningham - Apollo VII Astronaut & Author
 
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Walter Cunningham - Author of "The All-American Boys"

On October 11, 1968, he occupied the lunar module pilot seat for the eleven-day flight of Apollo 7 - the first manned flight test of the third generation United States spacecraft. With Walter M. Schirra, Jr., and Donn F. Eisele, Cunningham participated in and executed maneuvers enabling the crew to perform exercises in transposition and docking and lunar orbit rendezvous with the S-IVB stage of their Saturn IB launch vehicle; completed eight successful test and maneuvering ignitions of the service module propulsion engine; measured the accuracy of performance of all spacecraft systems; and provided the first effective television transmission of onboard crew activities.

The 263-hour, four-and-a-half million mile shakedown flight was successfully concluded on October 22, 1968, with splashdown occurring in the Atlantic - some eight miles from the carrier ESSEX (only 3/10 of a mile from the originally predicted aiming point).

Prior to his assignment to the Apollo 7 crew, Cunningham was the backup Lunar Module Pilot to the crew of Apollo 1. When the Apollo 1 spacecraft burned up on the pad, killing the entire crew, Cunningham, Schirra, and Eisele were assigned to fly the first manned Apollo mission.

Mr. Cunningham's last assignment at the Johnson Space Center was as Chief of the Skylab Branch of the Fight Crew Directorate. In this capacity he was responsible for the operational inputs for five major pieces of manned space hardware, two different boosters and 65 major on-board experiments that comprised the Skylab program. The Skylab program also utilized the first manned systems employing arrays for electrical power, molecular sieves for environmental control systems, and inertia storage devices for attitude control systems.

He worked as a scientist for the RAND Corporation prior to joining NASA. While with RAND, he worked on classified defense studies and problems of the earth's magnetosphere.

Mr. Cunningham joined the Navy in 1951 and began his flight training in 1952. In 1953 he became a Marine Corps fighter pilot and served on active duty with the United States Marine Corps until August 1956 and in the Marine Corps Reserve program until 1975. His present rank is Colonel, USMCR (Retired).

He has accumulated more than 4,500 hours of flying time, including more than 3,400 in jet aircraft and 263 hours in space.

Currently, Mr. Cunningham is a successful businessman, investor and Director of numerous public and private companies. He is author of The All American Boys, the human side of the space program. He is a radio talk show host and frequent lecturer throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. He is a civic leader, is listed in all major Who's Who publications and is a recipient of numerous national and international honors.

 Education:

University of California at Los Angeles (Physics), B.S., 1960, with honors; M.S., 1961, with distinction.

Institute of Geophysics And Planetary Sciences, completed work on Doctorate in physics with exception of thesis.

NASA, (Space Sciences and Geology), 2,000 hours, 1963-1971.

Harvard Graduate School of Business 1974. AMP

Organizations:

  • Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronauts
  • Fellow of the American Astronautical Society
  • Member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots
  • Member of the American Geophysical Union
  • Member of the Explorers Club
  • Sigma Pi Sigma and Sigma Xi
  • Chairman of UCLA Alumni Fund Drive, 1969 and 1970
  • Aviation Subcommittee, Houston Greater Chamber of Commerce
  • Advisory Board, The Edward Teller Center for Science, Technology and Political Thought
  • Member of the Houston American Revolution Bicentennial Commission
  • Founding Director, Earth Awareness Foundation

Fellowships:

  • American Atronautical Society
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; Member
  • Selection Committee for the 1984 Rolex Awards for Enterprise
  • Society of Experimental Test Pilots
  • National Association of Small Business Investment Companies
  • Association of Space Explorers
  • American Geophysical Union
  • Sigma Pi Sigma
  • Explorers Club

Awards & Recognition

  • NASA Exceptional Service Medal
  • AIAA Haley Astronautics Award
  • UCLA Professional Achievement Award
  • Medal of Valor, American Legion
  • Outstanding American Award, American Conservative Union
  • George Haddaway Award
  • Houston Hall of Fame
  • International Space Hall of Fame
  • Astronaut Hall of Fame
  • Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame
  • Who's Who in America
  • Who's Who in the World
  • Who's Who in Aviation

Speaking Topics:

Walter Cunningham draws from his Astronaut, military and business careers to motivate listeners to take their lives into their own hands, accept risk, and create their own destiny.  All program are extensively customized to meet the specific needs of the sponsoring organization and to provide the audience with a unique experience.  Presentations have been enthusiastically received over the years and have generated excellent references. 

THE CHANCE OF DANGEROUS ADVENTURE - This program challenges the individual to incorporate some risk in their personal and business lives in order to realize their dreams.  It also explores the role risk plays in developing responsibility and leadership.  Walter examines the ongoing conflict between those who want a risk-free existence and those who want to live - simply exist.

BEYOND COMPETITION - This program draws on examples from the manned space program - both disasters and triumphs.  How do you find the frontiers in your own industry?  How do you operate at the boundaries of the frontiers?

IS THERE LIFE OUT THERE? - This thought provoking program explores one of man's most basic questions - the prospect of life elsewhere in the universe.  Cunningham addresses the scientific, alien/UFO, and spiritual aspect of the question.

APOLLO (THE GOLDEN AGE OF SPACEFLIGHT) - This informative presentation brings a unique perspective to the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs, including the Apollo 1 fire and the human side of spaceflight.  The inside story of astronaut selection, training, pay, working and living in space, overcoming problems, and returning to earth.

LEGACY OF THE U.S./SOVIET SPACE RACE - This adventurous program takes you from the Soviet Union's  first steps into space through cooperation on the Mir and International Space Station, including the technical and political ramifications of present day cooperation with the Russians.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 90 MINUTES - This program takes you on a journey few ever get to experience.  Walter takes you on this fascinating journey through the eyes of NASA astronauts.  See both natural and man-made changes in the earth's geography from an astronaut's unique perspective in earth orbit.  Share the experience of looking at earth in a poetic and emotional way.  This presentation is based on a slide show.

WALTER TRAVELS FROM TEXAS

 

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