Date of Plaque Unveiling: 13 April 2015
Speakers: Prof. Jonathan Vance
Location: Atrium, Physics and Astronomy Building, Western University, London, ON
History
John Herbert Chapman (1921-1979) was born in London and educated at The University of Western Ontario, receiving a BSc (Honors) degree in 1948. After completing a PhD in physics, he was hired as a research scientist by the federal government and subsequently led the team that launched Alouette I, Canada’s first satellite, in 1962. Chapman collaborated with NASA and the European Space Agency on the Hermes satellite, initiating direct-to-home broadcast in Canada. As author of the Chapman Report, which established Canada’s first strategy for space research, and in recognition of his important contributions to planetary and space science, Chapman is known as the father of Canada’s space program.