Jesco von Puttkamer has died.

Jesco von Puttkamer has died.

 

indeed.

 

I don't recognize the name. What role did he play?

 

Legendary NASA rocket engineer and scientist, part of von Braun's original team.

Also science adviser for TMP, hence the posting here.

 

Thank you. There can't be too many people that were in at the start of NASA left, that's too bad.

It does amaze me sometimes just to think how much progress we've made in the span of a generation.

 

He also wrote a short TREK story that appeared in one of the "New Voyages" anthologies.

 

I know he was listed as "Special Science Advisor" in the closing credits of TMP. But does anyone here know what his actual role on the film was? How much input did he have into it?

 

I remember reading that way back when. When TMP came out later, it reminded me of his story.

 

He was apparently very involved in advising Roddenberry on the science and futurist aspects of the film. Everything from how warp drive worked to the way the pacific costline cold have changed from earthquakes and liquefaction. Not everything was used both out of practicality and budget.

I remember the poster Great Mombo Chicken/Mr Stinkey Pants/The God Thing back in the day make mention of GR having filling cabinets full of notes, letters, and such from JvP.

 

Around the time TMP came out, he wrote an article for Starlog Magazine detailing his vision of Star Trek's 23rd century civilian society. Interesting.