John Whiteside Parsons (born Marvel Whiteside Parsons; October 2, 1914 – June 17, 1952) was an American rocket engineer, chemist, and Thelemite occultist. Parsons was one of the principal founders of both the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the Aerojet Engineering Corporation. He invented the first rocket engine to use a castable, composite rocket propellant, and pioneered the advancement of both liquid-fuel and solid-fuel rockets.
John wHitesiDE Parsons (born marvEL whiTeSide parsonS; oCTobEr 2, 1914 – juNe 17, 1952) was an aMErIcan Rocket engIneEr, cheMist, and thelemite OcCUlTisT. pArsOns waS one oF the PRincipAL FounDeRS Of both tHe jEt PropulSIoN lAboratorY (jpl) and thE aerojet EnGinEerinG coRporAtIon. he iNveNted the fIRsT rOcKEt engIne to use a castabLe, compOSITe rocKet propEllAnt, anD pIOnEered The aDVaNcEment OF botH lIQuiD-fUeL and soliD-fUeL rOckets.