Date of Birth: February 19, 1943
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Biography
Homer Hadley Hickam Jr. is an American author, Vietnam veteran, and former NASA engineer. Born on February 19, 1943, in Coalwood, West Virginia, Hickam is best known for his memoir “Rocket Boys,” which was adapted into the critically acclaimed film “October Sky.” He grew up in a coal-mining town and was inspired by the launch of Sputnik in 1957 to pursue rocketry, despite initial skepticism from his community and father. He and his friends formed a rocketry club and eventually won a national science fair, propelling him to a career in engineering. After graduating from Big Creek High School, Hickam attended Virginia Tech, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering in 1964. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, earning several commendations, including the Bronze Star Medal. Following his military service, Hickam worked as an engineer for the U.S. Army Missile Command before joining NASA in 1981. At NASA, he contributed to the Hubble Space Telescope and other projects until his retirement in 1998. Hickam has written several books, both fiction and non-fiction, including the “Josh Thurlow” historical fiction series and his memoirs. His works often draw from his experiences in science, engineering, and the military.
5 Interesting Facts about Homer Hickam
1. Homer Hickam’s memoir “Rocket Boys” was a New York Times Best Seller and was translated into multiple languages.
2. He earned the Distinguished Alumni Award from Virginia Tech in 1999.
3. Hickam’s story was adapted into the 1999 film “October Sky,” starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Homer.
4. He has written for major publications, including Smithsonian Air & Space and Parade Magazine.
5. In addition to his writing, Hickam is a scuba diving enthusiast and has written a book on the subject, “Torpedo Junction.”
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Homer Hickam
1. “A rocket won’t fly unless somebody lights the fuse.”
2. “Don’t blow it; good planets are hard to find.”
3. “Sometimes one dream is enough to light up the whole sky.”
4. “To succeed, we must first believe that we can.”
5. “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Homer Hickam is estimated to be around $1 million.
Children
Homer Hickam does not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Homer Hickam Official Website](http://www.homerhickam.com/
2. [Rocket Boys Book on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Rocket-Boys-Memoir-Homer-Hickam/dp/0385333218
3. [Homer Hickam’s IMDb Profile](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0382726/
4. [Homer Hickam’s Profile on NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/offices/nac/members/hickam-bio.html
5. [Virginia Tech Alumni Profile](https://www.alumni.vt.edu/awards/daa/past_recipients/hickam.html
