Author Topic: Robert Farquhar 1932-2015  (Read 3170 times)

Offline plutogno

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Robert Farquhar 1932-2015
« on: 10/18/2015 08:39 pm »
Robert Farquhar, the inventor of the halo orbit and spaceflight mechanics guru passed away today
https://twitter.com/ISEE3Reboot/status/655826872673026048
« Last Edit: 10/20/2015 12:39 pm by Chris Bergin »

Online Blackstar

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Re: Robert Farquhar 1932-2015
« Reply #1 on: 10/19/2015 01:42 am »
This is sad news. Farquhar was a genius at trajectories, but he was one of the rare people who could mix his sense of humor and playfulness with his job. He did this by finding unique trajectories that just so happened to have major events occur on holidays--like encountering the asteroid Eros on Valentine's Day.

Offline Archibald

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Re: Robert Farquhar 1932-2015
« Reply #2 on: 10/19/2015 12:13 pm »
a great loss indeed. didn't knew he was born in 1922.

Edit/Lar: He wasn't, fixed thread title. see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_W._Farquhar as well.
« Last Edit: 10/20/2015 01:50 pm by Lar »
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Offline Comga

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Re: Robert Farquhar 1932-2015
« Reply #3 on: 10/19/2015 09:45 pm »
a great loss indeed. didn't knew he was born in 1922.

The inestimable Dr Farquhar was born on September 12, 1932 not 1922.
Although I know him only by reputation, he was a remarkable man.  His orbital analysis are astounding feats of intellect.
RIP  To paraphrase, may his memory be an inspiration.

(We should change the thread title.)

Edit/Lar: fixed it.
« Last Edit: 10/20/2015 01:51 pm by Lar »
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Offline Andrewwski

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Re: Robert Farquhar 1932-2015
« Reply #4 on: 10/20/2015 12:43 am »
Very sad to hear.  Dr. Farquhar has definitely had an impact on me.  I met him at ISDC several years back (think it was 2012) when I was nearing the end of my undergrad in aerospace engineering and determining what I wanted my focus area to be for grad school.  After talking to him for quite a while (half of it being about his book which he was selling), I knew astrodynamics was what I wanted to do.

I did end up getting a copy of his book, and I'd recommend it for anyone interested.  It's an interesting format - a memoir with a textbook feel - but a light and enjoyable read for those comfortable reading technical material.
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Online Blackstar

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Re: Robert Farquhar 1932-2015
« Reply #5 on: 10/20/2015 01:54 pm »
I did end up getting a copy of his book, and I'd recommend it for anyone interested.  It's an interesting format - a memoir with a textbook feel - but a light and enjoyable read for those comfortable reading technical material.

It is a fun book. Covers a lot of different missions.

Offline kraisee

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Re: Robert Farquhar 1932-2015
« Reply #6 on: 10/20/2015 02:58 pm »
We were lucky enough to work with Bob on the DIRECT project for a few years, and he had a truly brilliant mind.

I am very sad to hear this news and my condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues.

Ross.
"The meek shall inherit the Earth -- the rest of us will go to the stars"
-Robert A. Heinlein

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