Sir William Pickering was a New Zealand rocket scientist who made significant contributions to space exploration. He studied at universities in New Zealand and California Institute of Technology, and worked at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and NASA, where he led missions to the moon, Venus, and Mars. Sir William helped discover the Van Allen radiation belts and received numerous honors for his work, including being knighted and awarded the National Medal of Science. He passed away in 2004.

1. Sir William Pickering
Rocket Scientist
(Aerospace Engineer)
Engineered by Dominic Kesby

2. An explanation of what a rocket
scientist is....
A rocket scientist is an engineer involved in the design, construction
and science of aircraft and spacecraft.
They are heavily involved with the study of the science behind the
forces and physical properties of how aircraft, rockets & spacecraft
work.

3. Birth, Death and facts about his life before science.
• Sir William Pickering was born in Wellington in 1910.
• He passed away on 17 march 2004.
• Sir William was sent to Havelock as a small child to live with his
grand parents after his mother died.
• Sir Williams strong subjects at school were reading and sport.
• Sir William was encouraged by an uncle living in California to
study in America.

4. Places of study, research and work.
Studied at:
• Wellington College.
• Canterbury university.
• California Institute of Technology.
Researched & Worked at:
• JPL Labs for u.s army.
• NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).

5. Discoveries, Achievements and Naming Honours.
• Instrumental in the discovery of the radiation field around earth that is
now known as the Van Allen radiation belt.
• Involved in NASA's unmanned space flight program.
• Under Sir Williams direction his team at JPL flew missions to the moon
and flybys of Venus & Mars.
• Sir William was patron of the Nexus Research Group and of the NZ
Spaceflight Association.
• Sir Williams name was bestowed on a peak in the Kepler Mountains in
Fiordland National Park, Mount Pickering.
• Sir William has 2 roads named after him, Sir William Pickering Drive in
Christchurch & William Pickering Drive in Auckland.

6. Qualifications and Awards
• He was awarded the Edison Medal in 1972, the
National Medal of Science in 1975, Honorary Knight
Commander OBE in 1975, Japan prize in 1994 and
made an honorary member of the Order of NZ in 2003.
• Sir William H Pickering held a BE in electrical
engineering and a PhD in .

7. Thanks for Watching
By Dom