Space Dynamics Laboratory photographs
Scope and Contents
This collection contains assorted photographs and negatives from the Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), primarily from the 1970s and 1980s. These images detail some of the project equipment, personnel, and locations related to SDL, and were likely collected from the office of Dr. Doran Baker, an SDL founder and professor of engineering at Utah State University. Also included are images related to Dr. Baker's other passion: the history of the western United States, particularly in areas of Cache Valley, Utah. The majority of these images are unidentified; more information will be added in the future.
Dates
- Creation: 1964-1980
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
Conditions Governing Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Space Dynamics Laboratory photographs must be obtained from the Photograph Curator and/or the Special Collections Section Head.
Biographical / Historical
Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) is a nonprofit government contractor owned by Utah State University. SDL is the sole University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) for the United States Missile Defense Agency, and is one of 15 UARCs in the nation for the United States Department of Defense. Together with Utah State University, SDL has completed over 420 successful space missions and deployed over 500 independent hardware and software systems into space.
SDL traces its origins to the earliest US space experiments using German V-2 rockets at the end of World War II. These experiments, which measured electron density in the upper atmosphere, led to the formation of the Upper Air Research Laboratory (UARL) at the University of Utah in 1948 and the Electro-Dynamics Laboratories (EDL) at Utah State University in 1959. The two laboratories frequently collaborated, and in 1970, UARL relocated to Utah State University. In 1982, the laboratories merged to form the Space Dynamics Laboratory.
Source: USU/SDL
Extent
.25 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
An assortment of photographs and negatives related to the Space Dynamics Laboratory in Logan, Utah; also includes images of western US railroad construction.
Arrangement
This collection is divided into two series: images related to the Space Dynamics Laboratory, and images related to western US history.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
While no documentation exists, these materials were likely donated to USU Special Collections by Doran Baker some time around March 2006.
- Title
- Guide to the Space Dynamics Laboratory photographs
- Author
- Finding aid created by Heather Housley and Daniel Davis
- Date
- 2025
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)
scweb@usu.edu