2010 Stellar Awards EARLY CAREER

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2010 Stellar Awards EARLY CAREER 2010 Stellar Awards EARLY CAREER James Avis of MEI Technologies, Inc. - Outstanding tech- Amanda M. Houghton of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - nical contributions to the transition and upgrade of a design Outstanding contributions to the development and qualifica- data management system. tion of RS-68A engine ignition devices. Gregg C. Baumer of NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) Ryan W. Irwin of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - Sig- - Exceptional leadership and technical achievement in es- nificant contributions to the RS-68 and RS-68A engine pro- tablishing high expectations for the design and development grams. of crewed Constellation vehicles. Daniel P. Kelly of MEI Technologies, Inc. - Outstanding Jason R. Best of ATK Space Systems - Outstanding team innovation in the advancement of detector technology, in- leadership and technical excellence in human spaceflight cluding development and fabrication of the micro-shutter critical transducer development and anomaly resolution. array for the James Webb Space Telescope. Capt. Jerald W. Bouie Jr. of United States Air Force Tyler Lebrun of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne – Unwav- (USAF) - Extraordinary leadership and exceptional appli- ering, proactive pursuit of innovative design approaches to cation of systems engineering to establish a solid technical mitigate J-2X gas generator discharge duct issues because of baseline for the Global Positioning System (GPS) IIIA space combustion instability. vehicle development program, a pathfinder for “Back to Ba- sics” acquisition for National Security Space programs. Matthew W. Maples of NASA JSC - Exemplary dedication and leadership in assuring the safe and effective application Jonathan T. Bowie of NASA JSC - Outstanding contribu- of pyrotechnic technology for the Constellation Program. tions to the vehicle level design and optimization process of the Altair lunar lander. Tyler Nester of ATK Space Systems - Exceptional knowl- edge and development of creative technical solutions for Alicia A. Carrillo of ATK Space Systems – Exemplary addressing the thrust oscillation issue on the Ares I launch systems engineering skill, tenacity, and technical accom- vehicle. plishments in support of Ares I and human spaceflight. William J. O'Hara IV of Lockheed Martin - Outstanding Antja H. Chambers of NASA JSC - Exceptional dedica- leadership and technical development in the field of envi- tion and technical expertise as an Extra-Vehicular Activity ronmental control and life support systems for human space- (EVA) Project engineer ensuring that NASA astronauts will flight. have fully functional equipment for critical tasks. Capt. Gina A. Peterson of USAF - Extraordinary leader- Amber S. Gell of Lockheed Martin – Outstanding techni- ship in sustaining the GPS atomic clock industrial base and cal contributions to Orion systems engineering and dedica- the design of the GPS III satellite payload which is critical tion to the Orion Educational Outreach Program. to national security, economic prosperity, and international agreements. Carrie L. Green of ARES Corporation - Innovative de- velopment of a modified hazard analysis approach for ef- Daniel C. Porter of Bastion Technologies, Inc. - Outstand- ficiently and safely addressing both ground and flight haz- ing contributions to STS-123 mission success, including ards. resolution of issues with the Dextre robotic system. Kathryn V. Gregory of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - Simeon D. Powell of Lockheed Martin - Exemplary con- Outstanding team leadership in development of an innova- tributions to NASA's human spaceflight program, including tive, critical debris mitigation device for unmanned upper technical excellence in analytical structural dynamics and stage propulsion. structural verification of shuttle and International Space Sta- tion (ISS) payloads. Phillip A. Hammond of The Boeing Company - Extraor- dinary personal dedication, technical knowledge and cus- Christopher B. Prouty of Lockheed Martin - Outstand- tomer focus in ensuring accurate thermal products are deliv- ing human spaceflight contributions in the areas of EVA and ered for Space Shuttle cargo verification. Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle parachute systems that im- proved crew safety and ensured mission success. - 22 - 2010 Stellar Awards EARLY CAREER Zachary R. Putnam of Draper Laboratory - Excellence Daniel J. Stevens of Barrios Technology - Successful im- and innovation in development and implementation of the plementation of an upgrade to the ISS communications link skip entry guidance algorithms to enable Orion lunar mis- in the Flight Control Room, identification and resolution of sions. ISS camera issues, and service as the lead communications and tracking officer for ISS Increment 21. Ethan A. Reid of Barrios Technology - Conceptualization and rapid design implementation of a temporary sleep sta- David G. Teltschik of SAIC - Outstanding leadership and tion that allows ISS crew members to perform hygiene ac- technical contributions to the International Space Station tivities in a private enclosed space. Program on behalf of Safety and Mission Assurance. Jessica Rye of ATK Space Systems - Significant contribu- Donald E. Varanauski of The Boeing Company - Excep- tions in promoting our nation’s Human Space Flight Pro- tional ability in the modeling of rocket propulsion fluid sys- gram, including leadership of communications and public- tems in support of a proposed NASA rocket propulsion test ity for Ares I-X. stand. Chaine J. Selig of The Boeing Company - Significant con- Lee Vyoral of Oceaneering Space Systems - Outstanding tributions to external tank pressurization system modeling leadership, unwavering attention to detail and exemplary and analysis in support of Space Shuttle anomaly investiga- work ethic in managing the development, delivery, and sus- tions and flight safety improvements. taining engineering of EVA space hardware. Michelle K. Smith of ESCG/GeoControl - Outstanding Shawn R. White of Honeywell Aerospace Engineering performance in assessing the flight readiness of orbiter main & Technology - Innovative application of technical knowl- propulsion system hardware, allowing the Space Shuttle edge and leadership skills in the development of Orion abort Program to determine that the system was safe to fly. decision logic requirements. 2009 Stellar Awards Winners in Early Career Category. L to R: Astronaut Leland Melvin (present- ing), Capt. Garrett W. Knowlan of the USAF, Timothy M. Miller of MEI Technologies, Elliot P. Harik or The Boeing Co., Dr. Benjamin S. Kirk of NASA JSC, Zebulon Scoville of NASA JSC, Capt. Bai L. Zhu Zhu of the USAF, Timothy Hinerman of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, and Astronaut Sunita Williams (presenting) (NASA, 2009) - 23 - 2010 Stellar Awards MIDDLE CAREER Maren L. Anderson of ATK Space Systems - Superior ef- Dr. Edward J. Fitzgerald of The Boeing Company - Out- forts on the Space Shuttle reusable solid rocket motor flight standing technical leadership of a geographically diverse certification and launch support. rocket propulsion engineering team on the space shuttle or- biter. Dr. Elias Azzi of Lockheed Martin - Outstanding contribu- tions to NASA's Human Space Flight Program in thermal Jennifer P. Hall of United Space Alliance - Outstanding and environmental systems analysis, and to analytical verifi- dedication and leadership contributions to Space Shuttle op- cation of Space Shuttle and ISS payloads. erations in support of successful human space flight. Bruce D. Baker of The Boeing Company - Outstanding ex- Lt. Col. Michael O. Hedenskoog of USAF - Outstanding pertise in the field of weights engineering and contributions leadership of systems and specialty engineering for the GPS to the Space Shuttle Program. III satellite development program. Bradley N. Bell of L-3 Communications - Pioneering ef- William C. Hill of NASA Headquarters - Exceptional forts in developing unrivaled state-of-the-art 3D computer leadership and contributions to the human spaceflight com- graphics rendering software used in astronaut and flight con- munity guiding the Space Shuttle Program activities. troller training systems and in engineering analyses for the Space Shuttle, ISS, and Constellation vehicles. Lt. Col. Edward J. Hospodar Jr. of USAF - Extraordinary leadership, innovation, and enduring contribution to Na- Kevin S. Berry of SAIC - Outstanding dedication, extensive tional Security Space Program acquisition, operations, and technical expertise, and contributions to Safety and Mission legislation. Assurance at NASA JSC for more than 20 years. Cynthia E. Hudy of Lockheed Martin - Outstanding lead- George F. L. Brittingham of United Space Alliance - Ex- ership of the Orion Project Requirements Definition and ceptional contributions and outstanding dedication to the Management Team. U.S. Space Program as a Space Shuttle closeout crew mid- deck and flight deck insertion technician. Robert J. Hundl of The Boeing Company - Exceptional leadership within the space community and ability to solve Patrick F. Brown of ARES Corporation - Outstanding con- complex issues in the field of orbiter mass properties. tributions in identifying and mitigating ISS on-orbit stowage risks. Reed A. Kakuska of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - Un- wavering pursuit of innovative approaches to complex pro- LeRoy E. Cain of NASA JSC - Exceptional leadership of pulsion issues enabling sustained mission success for Atlas the Mission Management Team during the Hubble Space V and Delta IV upper stages. Telescope Servicing Mission. Michael T. Kirsch of NASA
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