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This Website is dedicated to the memory of my parents, Mr. Von L Burton Sr. (October 1912 ---June 1989) and Mrs. Martha L Burton (November 1913--January 1993) without whom's guidance, direction, patience and time the following might have not been possible.

Dr. Von L. Burton, Jr.

P.O. Box 11067
Huntsville, Alabama 35816
Phone: (256) 830-5827

Personal Data:

  • Wife: The former Cleola Colter

Career Highlights:

  • Fifteen individual awards, seven different organizations and 29 years with NASA in the areas of Rocketry and Space Science.

Hobby Highlights:

  • Focused Interest: Guitar Enthusiast.

Education:

  • Further Study Statistics, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware; May 1964; June 1966.

  • Masters Business Administration, Alabama A & M University, Normal, Alabama; June 1975.

  • Doctor of Science in Computer Sciences and Systems, Southeastern Institute of Technology, Huntsville, Alabama; September 1986.

Aberdeen Proving Ground

1964 – 1966

  • Employed at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Maryland, and charged with the responsibility of statistical sampling and analysis of United States Army Stockpiles of 105mm Howitzer ammunition which are located in various parts of the country. Had responsibility of selecting the samples, the logistics related to transportation of samples to the particular testing ground (Yuma, Arizona, Dugway, Utah, Madison, Indiana, Aberdeen, Maryland). Coordinated the inspection of samples by various inspectors, managed all operations relative to performance of the test and recording of the velocity data from each round fired. Performed the resulting statistical analysis and wrote report providing an identification of ammunition lots by failure rate as well as the description of other performance parameters.  

  • The purpose of sampling these stockpiles was to determine the effects of long-term storage under various environmental conditions on the performance of the ammunition and ensure the availability of sufficient usable quantities in case of emergency conditions.

  • The 105mm Howitzer round weighs 33 pounds and according to the Encyclopedia Britannica, holds the record of being fired more than any other artillery round in World War II. To my knowledge, I was the only person that had this responsibility at that time.

1963 Purchased first guitar. For you guitar enthusiast it was a Silvertone Model 1448 that incorporated the Amplifier in the guitar case purchased from Sears.

NASA

1966 –1971

  • Became interested in the “man on the moon” project and began employment with NASA at Marshall Space Flight Center and joined the Trajectory Section. Had the responsibility of optimizing the trajectory for flight of the Saturn V moon rocket (Click Here) through its first 100 miles into what was called then a parking orbit. As perhaps recalled from memory of TV viewing of the various lift-offs, as the rocket lifted off from its launch pad, it appeared to tilt over in a certain direction as opposed to direct vertical flight. Specifically my responsibility required generation of 25 numbers that represented the coefficients of four different polynomial equations that determined the amount of this tilt to minimize what is referred to as the angle of attack and ensure safe passage of the vehicle through what is termed the maximum dynamic pressure range.

1966 Purchased second guitar; a Gibson model 335, semi - hollow body, maple,separate tone controls and two way switch. (Click Here)

1969 Purchased second Gibson Model 335 same as 1966, except Walnut instead of Maple.

1972 – 1977

  • Following the lunar landing, joined the Preliminary Design Office of Marshall Space Flight Center and became engaged in the planning of future advanced space vehicles, satellites and payloads. Performed the mission operations analysis on all payloads that passed through Marshall Space Flight Center. One satellite was the High Energy Astronomical Observatory (HEAO) (Click Here) which later mapped the entire galaxy for stars that emit X-rays. Wrote report on the percentage of area of the galaxy covered each day based on a given scan rate. As I recall, the total mapping required 6 months.

  • Other projects included a project entitled Large Space Telescope (LST) which was later named the Hubble Telescope and which, when launched in 1991, was the world’s most sophisticated telescope since Galileo made the first telescope in 1607.

  • Received a total of fifteen (15) individual awards from NASA; six of which are indicated in this career highlighter.

February 4, 1972  Group Achievement Award (Center Award)

“Exceptional Performance of duty and outstanding teamwork during the period July 1, 1970 to November 30, 1971. Your untiring devotion to duty and extra efforts displayed in the Modular Space Station study have been a great asset to Program Development and the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center.”

May 30, 1975 Group Achievement Award (Center Award)

“Exceptional Performance of duty and outstanding teamwork during the period November 31, 1973 to December 31, 1974.   Your Outstanding Contributions and Leadership in the Phase A Study of Atmospheric, Magnetospheric and Plasmas in Space Payloads have been a great asset to the Program Development and the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center.”

  • Performed all on-orbit operations planning for initial space shuttle flights indicating crew activities and shuttle operations on-orbit as a function of time on-orbit.

1978 – 1979

  • Selected to attend for a period of one year NASA Headquarters’ Career Development Program as a member of the Advanced Projects Office. Primarily involved in developing briefing packages for the initiation of various new projects to various congressional committees.  Also heavily involved in developing the payload requirements for what was then referred to as a Space Platform. These activities were in support of NASA’s long range planning program.

  • Served also as Executive Secretary of the 25k Power Module User Requirements Working Group.

1979 – 1981

  • Served on Source Evaluation Board for the procurement of an Atmospheric Sciences Payload.

  • Served as Assistant to the Director, Administration and Program Support Directorate (600 Civil Servants and 700 contractor personnel). This Position involved management of the infrastructure at the Marshall Space Flight Center consisting of the offices of procurement, computer services, telecommunications, plans and analysis, technology utilization, property management and facilities.

  • Served a representative to the Level II Program Requirements Change Board.

1981 – 1991

  • Responsible for the transmission and data reduction of data generated by payloads that fly on the Space Shuttle. Data were received either from tape recorders removed from the shuttle upon landing and flown to Huntsville by private aircraft or by direct downlink to tracking stations during shuttle flights. Established and implemented real-time telemetry capability at the Marshall Space Flight Center for payloads that fly aboard the Space Shuttle.

NASA and Athens State University

1976 – Present

  • Received two teaching awards from Athens State University.

  • Received Outstanding Teaching Award in May of 1982, from the college.

"Outstanding teaching and the promotion of academic excellence while serving as  adjunct professor for the Division of Business Administration”.

  • Received Excellence in Teaching Award from Delta Mu Delta Honor Society;  May 1991.

  • Wrote Lab Manuals for use with statistical computer software.

1980 Developed considerable interest in vintage guitars produced by Fender and for many years played the Fender Telecaster model as well as the Fender Stratocaster models.

November 1981

July 1984 (Agency Award)

  • Received Space Concept Development Team Award recognizing initial conceptual creations in the origination of the Space Lab (Click Here), which flies in the cargo bay of the shuttle on most missions.

“For innovative and technical contributions in the origination of Space lab payloads concepts and the successful accomplishment of extensive preliminary design and definition efforts in the establishment of the Space lab Development Program.”

August 1984 - June 1986

  • Completion of a two year program in Digital Electronics from National Radio Institute. The program covered 52 subject areas, and also the assembly of an IBM XT personal computer  ~ (it still works).

November 1985 (Agency Award)

  • Received IUS Failure Investigation and Anomaly Team Award. (Challenger Investigation).

“For demonstrated technical and management leadership in the resolution of  the ISU-1 anomaly exhibited in the development of a very complex fault isolation matrix and ground test programs and analyses to support conclusions reached.”

July 1986 (Center Award)

  • Sustained Superior Performance Award

"Based upon last year’s performance appraisal of highly successful rating, employee’s performance has continued to be at a highly successful level and is expected to continue in the future.”

June 1986

  • Awarded the Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) Degree; Southeastern Institute of Technology. Dissertation: The Establishment and Implementation of Real-Time Telemetry Capability at the Marshall Space Flight Center for Payloads that Fly Aboard the Space Shuttle. (Click Here)

Additional Research Papers

  • An analysis of VLSI Technology and Future Computer Architectures (1986)

  • Integrated (Voice and Data) Local Area Networks (1985)

  • Historical Perspectives on Telemetry (1985)

  • An Analysis of the Societal Relationships of the Microcomputer (1986)

  • An Analysis of the Background Factors and Perspectives that have Shaped the Economic Forces of the Current Hardware/Software Cost Ratio (1986)

December 1989

  • Published the following Reference Book, through TAB Books currently, McGraw Hill Inc.

March 1995

  • Retired from NASA, continues as Professor, Athens State University, Athens, Alabama.

  • Honorary Member of the Delta Mu Delta Honor Society

  • Served on several Search committees and other appointed committees

  • Member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

  • Created and Designed the Concept of "Keysheets" and Published
    "The Official Complete Guitar Scales Reference Manual". Click Here

1995 Purchased Gibson model ES -345 which is the B.B.King "Lucille" Model. This guitar has stereo windings and a maple neck which gives me for a brighter attack. It has the same architecture design however it does not contain the "f" holes. Guitar enthusiast will quickly recognize that the absence of "f" holed solved a problem of amplifier feed back.In 1995, I purchased this guitar for $999.99 and in 2006 the price has increased to $2695.00. Yes it is worth the price

Year 1999

  • Founded the Real African American History Website Click Here

Year 2004

  • Who's Who Among America's Teachers, 8th Edition 2003--2004, Volume 4, Page 72

  • Member First Missionary Baptist Church

Year 2006

  • Presented with "Congressional Medal of Distinction" by Congressman Tom Reynolds (Republican-NewYork). Click Here

  • Presented with "National Leadership Award" by Congressman Tom Reynolds (Republican New York). Click Here

  • Appointed Honorary Chairman of National Republican Congressional Committee Business Advisory Council from State of Alabama. Click Here

  • Appointed by Speaker of the House, J. Dennis Hastert, to the Congressional Majority Trust as Honorary Chairman from the State of Alabama. Click Here

Year 2007

2007 Recorded CD "Blues for the Right Mood" using the B.B King "Lucille Model" (Click here to listen).

Year 2008

  • Vice President of the North Alabama Chapter of the National Morehouse College Alumni Association

Reviewer Comments                What is a programmable logic device?