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Contact: Mel Torre
Phone: (212) 591-8157
E-mail: torrem@asme.org

NEW YORK, April 11, 2002 - On July 20, 1969, millions of people around the world witnessed one of mankind's greatest achievements - men landing on the surface of the moon and returning safely back to earth. ¹NASA's Apollo space program was off and running due largely to the successful engineering, design and performance of the Grumman Lunar Module (LM) spacecraft. (¹ National Aeronautics & Space Administration)

In recognition of the LM's outstanding performance as the first piloted vehicle designed to operate solely in the vacuum of space, ASME International (The American Society of Mechanical Engineers) is designating the Apollo Lunar Module a historic mechanical engineering landmark. A ceremony (by invitation) commemorating the designation will be held April 19, at 10 a.m., at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Mitchel Field, Long Island, N.Y.

Designing the LM was a monumental undertaking led by the mechanical engineering, propulsion and design concepts of Thomas J. Kelly, known as "the Father of the Lunar Module." His work, along with a team of hundreds of engineers and project workers at the Grumman Aerospace Corp., Bethpage, N.Y. (now the Northrop Grumman Corp.), led to the success of NASA's Apollo missions.

During the Apollo program, Grumman built 13 LM's, six of which landed on the moon. LM-13, the final Lunar Module, was never flown due to the cancellation of NASA's moon missions following Apollo 17, in 1972. The LM-13 is now on permanent loan from the Smithsonian Institute to the Cradle of Aviation Museum. The museum, featuring the largest and most historical collection of air and spacecraft built on Long Island, is scheduled to open to the public May 20, 2002.

To commemorate the mechanical engineering landmark designation, John R. Parker, immediate past-president of ASME International, will present a bronze landmark plaque to the Cradle of Aviation Museum. Accepting the plaque on behalf of the museum will be Mrs. Joan Kelly, widow of the late Thomas J. Kelly, and Edward J. Smits, chief executive officer of Nassau Heritage, a non-profit educational organization responsible for the operation and management of the Museums at Mitchel Field, Garden City, N.Y.

"Much has been accomplished by U.S. aerospace programs, but Apollo holds special fascination. Apollo was one of the greatest engineering achievements of the 20th Century. It was a challenge we answered as engineers, as a nation, and as human beings," said Parker.

During the ceremony, Joseph Gavin, who retired as president of the Grumman Corporation in 1985, will present a history of the Lunar Module's development. Other participants include Philip Peel, sector vice president, Airborne Early Warning and Electronic Warfare Systems, Northrop Grumman Corporation, and Raymond A. Jansen, publisher of Newsday. Newsday sponsors the museum's "Mission to the Moon" exhibit.

Since its inception in 1972, ASME International's History and Heritage Program has designated 218 historical mechanical engineering landmarks, heritage collections or heritage sites. Other ASME aerospace landmarks include the Apollo Command Module (1992) and the Saturn V Rocket (1980). All ASME landmark designations represent the contributions made by the technological advances of mechanical engineering and their impact on the quality of life.

The 125,000-member ASME International is focused on the technical, educational and research issues affecting mechanical engineers and the engineering professions. ASME conducts one of the world's largest technical publishing operations, holds numerous technical conferences worldwide, and offers hundreds of professional development courses each year. ASME sets internationally recognized industrial and manufacturing codes and standards that enhance public welfare and safety.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Members of the press are cordially invited to the ceremony that begins promptly at 10 a.m. on April 19. Interviews and press material will be available on site. The ceremony will be held at the Reckson Center, Cradle of Aviation Museum, Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Mitchel Field, Long Island. To attend or to request interviews kindly RSVP by 4 p.m., April 18, to Mel Torre at 212-591-8157. To contact the Cradle of Aviation Museum call 516-572-4064.