Eilene M. Galloway

Dr. Eilene M. Galloway was a legend in the fields of space policy and space law, having been instrumental in the formation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). From 1941-1975, she worked for the U.S. Congress as a staff member of the Legislative Reference Service (later the Congressional Research Service) and was called upon by then-Senate Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson to advise him on how to respond to the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik 1 on October 4, 1957. She assisted Senator Johnson as well as then-Speaker of the House John McCormack in crafting the National Aeronautics and Space Act, which created NASA. She was particularly influential in drafting Section 205 of the act, which encourages NASA to conduct international space activities. She remained very active in the space policy and space law communities after her retirement until her death in 2009, two days short of her 103rd birthday. Throughout her space career, Dr. Galloway devoted herself to the principles that space should be used only for peaceful purposes and that international cooperation in space is essential. An article she wrote for publication in 2008 to celebrate NASA’s 50th birthday recalls the early days of the Space Age.

Eilene Galloway’s Space-Related Publications: 1957-2009

Dr. Galloway was a prolific author. A list of her known publications is available here. The list is incomplete, however. Anyone knowing of additional publications by her is encouraged to contact Marcia Smith at marcia.s.smith@gmail.com with the citation information and, if possible, a copy of the article or report.

Recordings from the Memorial Service, June 6, 2009

Dr. Galloway passed away on May 2, 2009, two days short of her 103rd birthday. Many of her friends and family members spoke at her memorial service on June 6, 2009, some traveling from great distances. The audio (MP3) files from the service are available below. The larger files may take a moment or two to load; please be patient.

• Jennifer Galloway, Eilene’s granddaughter (introduction)
• Jonathan Galloway, Eilene’s son
• Jennifer Galloway, Eilene’s granddaughter (tribute to Eilene)
• Marcia Smith, friend and colleague
• James Peoples, Eilene’s devoted helper
• Deborah Cobin Gilman, former colleague
• Margaret Roberts, friend and colleague
• Rosemary Marcuss, friend and neighbor
• Joanne Gabrynowicz, friend and colleague (who came from Mississippi for the service)
• Stan Marcuss, friend and neighbor
• Tanja Masson-Zwaan, friend and colleague (President of the International Institute of Space Law, who came from the Netherlands for the service)
• Judy Galloway, Eilene’s daughter-in-law
• Steve Doyle, friend and colleague (who came from California for the service)
• Linda Billings, friend and colleague
• JoAnn Clayton-Townsend, friend and colleague
• Amanda Moore, friend and colleague (who came from New York for the service)
• Jennifer Galloway, Eilene’s granddaughter (closing remarks)