Dr. Brian J. O'Brien with Sammy Probe I, Rice University

Professor Brian J. O'Brien, of the Space Physics and Astronomy Department, Rice University, holding a portion of a “Sammy” probe. Dr. O’Brien, in a dark shirt and coat, is resting the edge of the probe on a table beside two large parts of a disassembled rocket. Original resource is a black and white photograph.Dr. O'Brien and his colleagues designed the Sammy Probe I to measure airglow and aurora. It was launched on January 14, 1964. While it functioned successfully, the payload did not reach the desired height