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William J. Hurd is retired from a 40-year career in the space program at JPL. He was instrumental in development of digital receiving systems which are used by the Deep Space Network to track and communicate with distant spacecraft. Through his developments, Bill has supported all NASA missions to the planets during the past 40 years. His work in tracking extremely weak signals was particularly important for the Pioneer and Voyager missions, because of their journeys beyond the edge of the solar system, and for the Galileo mission to Jupiter, because failure of the main spacecraft antenna resulted in much weaker signals than planned. Bill also contributed to the critical entry, descent and landing phases of the Mars rover missions.
Bill and his wife, Elaine, live in Mesquite, Nevada, and vacation in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. They are active in several civic, charitable and political organizations, and have earned certificates in different aspects of fundraising for non-profit organizations. Bill is a graduate of Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, and has M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Southern California. He is a recipient of the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, and the Clarkson University Alumni Distinguished Service Award for service to one’s profession, community and alma mater.
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