Author
|
Topic: James Kukowski, NASA PAO (1930-2020)
|
Go4Launch Member Posts: 562 From: Seminole, Fla. Registered: Jul 2003
|
posted 08-07-2021 01:54 PM
I recently discovered that long-time NASA spokesman and public affairs official James F. Kukowski passed away last October (2020) in Fairfield Glade, Tenn. He joined the agency in 1967 as a public affairs officer at Goddard Space Flight Center. He had been executive director of the National Association of Rocketry in Washington, DC and had worked in radio there. Jim staffed the news information desks at the Manned Spacecraft Center and the Kennedy Space Center during Apollo. After Apollo 8, he established the automated recording system for the news media to call. It would include the latest mission status, and be updated as necessary 24 hours a day. He also played a key role in the development of NASA Select (now NASA Television), and served as an award-winning producer/director. In 1972, Jim moved to NASA Headquarters in DC and became deputy chief of the audio-visual office for the Office of Manned Spaceflight. He was later a public affairs officer for the Office of Space Science and Applications. When he retired in 1990, Jim was deputy director for the Office of Internal Communications. He was quoted as a NASA spokesman in publications worldwide. He received two NASA Exceptional Service Medals, five Sustained Superior Service Awards and numerous group achievement awards during his 23 years at the agency. I became friends with Jim during the shuttle program, and he was just a terrific guy. Affectionately known as "Kuk" and sporting something of a rumpled demeanor, he was always a reliable source and a smart, engaging, outgoing professional. Jim will be greatly missed by all who knew him and benefited from his kindness and knowledge over the years. |
GACspaceguy Member Posts: 2721 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
|
posted 08-07-2021 01:57 PM
. |
MSS Member Posts: 926 From: Europe Registered: May 2003
|
posted 08-07-2021 02:05 PM
RIP James Frank Kukowski (May 24, 1930-October 14, 2020). |
ManInSpace Member Posts: 231 From: Brooklin, Ontario Canada Registered: Feb 2018
|
posted 08-07-2021 02:05 PM
. |
randy Member Posts: 2464 From: West Jordan, Utah USA Registered: Dec 1999
|
posted 08-07-2021 02:09 PM
. |
David Carey Member Posts: 901 From: Registered: Mar 2009
|
posted 08-07-2021 02:13 PM
. |
Jurg Bolli Member Posts: 1090 From: Albuquerque, NM Registered: Nov 2000
|
posted 08-07-2021 02:50 PM
. |
J.L Member Posts: 687 From: Bloomington, Illinois, USA Registered: May 2005
|
posted 08-07-2021 02:55 PM
I always remember Jim hosting the "NASA Update" segments on NASA Select in the 1980's and 1990's. |
SpaceCadet1983 Member Posts: 346 From: Pacific NW, United States Registered: May 2012
|
posted 08-07-2021 03:08 PM
. |
star51L Member Posts: 438 From: Vilano Beach, FL, USA Registered: Aug 2002
|
posted 08-07-2021 04:44 PM
. |
Kite Member Posts: 967 From: Northampton UK Registered: Nov 2009
|
posted 08-07-2021 05:03 PM
. |
SkyMan1958 Member Posts: 1087 From: CA. Registered: Jan 2011
|
posted 08-07-2021 05:59 PM
. |
MCroft04 Member Posts: 1735 From: Smithfield, Me, USA Registered: Mar 2005
|
posted 08-07-2021 08:11 PM
. |
Mike Isbell Member Posts: 568 From: Silver Spring, Maryland USA Registered: Aug 2003
|
posted 08-07-2021 08:43 PM
. |
dss65 Member Posts: 1257 From: Sandpoint, ID, USA Registered: Mar 2003
|
posted 08-07-2021 10:46 PM
. |
tedc Member Posts: 164 From: Renton, WA USA Registered: Mar 2002
|
posted 08-07-2021 11:43 PM
. |
LM1 Member Posts: 824 From: New York, NY Registered: Oct 2010
|
posted 08-09-2021 10:19 AM
. |
Kevin T. Randall Member Posts: 1330 From: Chesham, Bucks UK Registered: Dec 2008
|
posted 08-09-2021 11:30 AM
. |
Jeff Member Posts: 545 From: Fayetteville, NC, USA Registered: May 2009
|
posted 08-09-2021 11:53 AM
. |
Panther494 Member Posts: 513 From: London UK Registered: Jan 2013
|
posted 08-16-2021 08:52 AM
. |