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Posted by: Jay Gallentine Jun 25 2006, 08:11 PM

Hello All,

My name is Jay Gallentine and I am researching a book on unmanned space probes. It's a nontechnical approach, stressing the human side of things.

Short of knocking on doors, I've been unable to get in touch with Mike Minovitch, the former JPL part-time employee who, some might say, discovered what ultimately led to Voyager.

Perchance, does anyone know whether he's still with us, where he might be, his phone number, etc. etc.? I'd love to chat with him.

Please feel free to contact me any time.

Thanks to all,
Jay Gallentine

jay at firingroom dot com
Cel 612-387-6481

Posted by: Bob Shaw Jun 25 2006, 08:45 PM

Jay:

Would that be the Michael A Minovitch of Phaser Telepropulsion Inc (based in Los Angeles), who was certainly contributing papers to the AAS and JBIS in the early 90s, generally relating to new propulsion concepts...

Bob Shaw

Posted by: babakm Jun 25 2006, 09:39 PM

My last name in Minovi and I would've killed for a part-time job at JPL. Does that help?

Posted by: Bob Shaw Jun 25 2006, 11:34 PM

Only if you sorta single-handedly invented (well, 'found') the whole business of gravitational slingshots! Mike Minovitch is one of *the* heroes of unmanned space exploration!

Bob Shaw

Posted by: tasp Jun 26 2006, 03:03 AM

Someone named Flandro (hope I spelled it right) IIRC was also involved.

Also, although I don't suspect he did any math on it, I believe Arthur Clarke was aware of the possibility in a reference to it in the Sands of Mars published in the early fifties.

Posted by: Jay Gallentine Jun 26 2006, 03:20 AM

Hi Folks, you are amazing. Looks like it's the same guy at Phaser. I will try ringing him tomorrow.

Whether it's him or not, I'll let you know!

Jay Gallentine

Posted by: PhilCo126 Jun 26 2006, 08:57 AM

That's correct tasp, both Gary FLANDRO and Michael MINOVITCH were involved in plotting the Grand Tour for the Voyager spacecraft

http://www.utsi.edu/Faculty/facres/gflandro/flandr_r.html

Posted by: Jay Gallentine Jun 26 2006, 06:31 PM

Hi Folks,

Looks like the number for Phaser Telepropulsion comes up as a fax machine.

The number I have is 323-644-0375.

I think I might actually try sending a fax to this, politely asking if it's still home to Phaser and, by extension, Dr. Minovitch.

If anyone else has contact info, I'd be interested!

Best,
Jay Gallentine

jay at firingroom dot com
Cel 612-387-6481

Posted by: Jay Gallentine Jun 27 2006, 03:29 AM

Howdy,

I was able to locate Dr. Minovitch by other means. Had a brief yet nice chat with him on the phone this evening and I look forward to interviewing him soon.

Thanks for the interest and help, everyone!

Jay Gallentine

Posted by: Bob Shaw Jun 27 2006, 09:17 PM

Jay:

Remember to post a link when the article is published - as you noticed, there's a certain amount of interest hereabouts in the subject!

Bob Shaw

Posted by: PhilCo126 Jun 28 2006, 05:52 PM

Bob,
Jay is in fact preparing a ( long-awaited ) book on Unmanned spaceflight !!!