Ed Harrison, who helped shape how the world saw space launches, dies at 81

John McCarthy
Florida Today
Ed Harrison and his wife, Jacqueline, in a 2014 benefit concert at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Indialantic. BRIAN CURL/FOR FLORIDA TODAY ( Other )

Ed Harrison, who helped shape how the world viewed the U.S. space program — literally — has died. He was 81.

A longtime public affairs officer at Kennedy Space Center, Harrison spent much of his time working with photographers and videographers to ensure they had access to capture launch photos and video that would run on front pages and lead TV news reports going back to the Mercury program in the early 1960s.

"No one in the history of NASA's Kennedy Space Center to date has been more adept at planning for photographic coverage of major events than Harrison," his official NASA biography says. "He fought many battles for access to secure areas and even hazardous ones because he shared the belief that it was important for the world to be able to see and understand what NASA was doing. At the same time he was always mindful of the safety of individuals and hardware."

Doing so often meant donning hip waders and leading photographers into the swamps of KSC to set up remote cameras to capture launches.

"He probably did more than any other person to shape photographic and videographic coverage of our nation’s space program," said former FLORIDA TODAY Space Reporter Jim Banke. "He opened up the doors so people could take up close and personal photos of the people and equipment we were sending into space."

Harris was born in Hampton, Virginia. Right after high school he went to work for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, which later became NASA, at the Langley Research Center in Hampton.

His first job, according to his NASA biography, was developing the miles of 16mm film used to document wind tunnel tests. He progressed through the lab to copying, editing, designing titles and other tasks.

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In 1961, Harrison was transferred to the Launch Operations Directorate at Cape Canaveral, where he worked as a photo coordinator  and finally the Kennedy Space Center.

During his career he also served as the Chief of the Public Information Branch and the KSC Visitor Center.

"From the beginning Harrison was an advocate and planner for maximum safe access by the news media to preparations for and launch of hundreds of space missions," retired KSC Public Affairs Director Hugh Harris, wrote in an email to FLORIDA TODAY. "He worked with the technical groups on placement of cameras on launch pads and in areas not accessible during operations. He also was selected to work with the early astronauts to document such activities as emergency landing contingencies in deserts or jungles."

He was particularly proud of his award of the Silver Snoopy by the astronaut office for his contributions to human space flight and the NASA Exceptions Service Medal, Harris said.

Harrison, who lived on Merritt Island, loved to sail and was a lifetime member of the Indian River Yacht Club and served as its commodore for many years.

He is survived by his wife, the former Jacqueline Wallace, and three children Cynthia, John and Warren.

There will be no immediate public services for Harrison because of the coronavirus pandemic, Harris said, though one was anticipated at a later date.

A 25+ year veteran of FLORIDA TODAY, John McCarthy currently oversees the space team and special projects. Support quality local journalism by subscribing to FLORIDA TODAY. You can contact McCarthy at 321-752-5018 or jmccarthy@floridatoday.com.