House Joint Resolution 851, sponsored by Representative Bricken, recognizes Dr. Gary Arnold Flandro for his significant contributions to the development of NASA's Voyager program. Dr. Flandro, an esteemed aerospace engineer and professor emeritus at the University of Tennessee Space Institute, is celebrated for his groundbreaking work in space exploration. His pivotal discovery of a rare planetary alignment in 1964, known as the "Grand Tour," enabled the design of a mission that utilized gravity-assist maneuvers to explore multiple outer planets in a single flight path, ultimately leading to the success of the Voyager program.

The resolution highlights Dr. Flandro's academic achievements, including his degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, as well as his roles in mentoring future engineers and scientists. He has received numerous accolades for his work, including the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal and the British Interplanetary Society's M. N. Golovine Award. The General Assembly expresses its gratitude for Dr. Flandro's lasting legacy in science and education, honoring his commitment to advancing aerospace engineering and inspiring future generations.