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Home , Expedition 14, Expedition 16, Gene Cernan, Gerald Carr (astronaut), Joan Higginbotham, Maxime Faget

2008 NATIONAL SPACE TROPHY RECIPIENT - Eugene Andrew Cernan Rotary National Award for Space Achievement

he Rotary Na- ing at the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School. Their daughter Ttional Award for Tracy was born in March 1963. A few months later, he got a Space Achievement call asking if he’d volunteer for the program. “Well, (RNASA) Founda- yes sir!” Cernan responded. “Not only that, sir, but hell, yes! tion recognizes retired Sir!” (ibid, 53). He finished his degree and reported to Johnson Navy Eugene Space Center as one of 14 new . Andrew Cernan with Cernan’s first mission, Gemini 9, launched on June 3, the 2008 National 1966. The flight required the launch of a rendezvous target fol- Space Trophy “for lowed by the separate launch of the crew. The crew performed outstanding achieve- the rendezvous in record time. But docking was not possible ments as an astronaut; because the nose shroud remained attached. Commander Tom second American to Stafford (1930--) radioed , “We have a weird-looking walk in space; crew machine up here. It looks like an angry alligator” (ibid, 122). member on second Nevertheless, the crew successfully demonstrated multiple flight to the ; rendezvous techniques. commander of the last At an altitude of 161 miles; Cernan became the second landing on the moon; American to walk in space. “I grabbed the edges of the hatch Eugene Andrew Cernan. and as an advocate for and climbed out of my hole until I stood on my seat.” He (Photo courtesy of The Cernan and Corporation) education.” The 2007 Trophy winner and former Flight Director said, “I had the privilege of launching Cernan on his first mission into space and again at the beginning of his journey on . Geno, as he was known to the controllers, left nothing to chance. His preparation for a mission was flawless, in- flight performance top-notch, and post-flight parties for the memory books.” A second-generation American of Czech and Slovak descent, Cernan was born in , Illinois, on March 14, 1934. After watching WW2 movie news of Navy pilots, he decided, “That’s what I want to do!” (Cernan, Last Man on the Moon, [New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1999], 21). His father, Andrew Cernan (1904-1967), taught the budding engineer about engines through work Cernan Gemini 9 spacewalk, June, 1966. (NASA) on his grandfather’s Model A Ford. Cernan played foot- ball, worked as a golf caddy, and graduated 14th out of 762 students from Proviso Township High School in 1952. He likened the view to “sitting on God’s front porch” (ibid, 131). headed to Purdue in Indiana. His bliss was unfortunately short-lived. He struggled With help from a Navy scholarship, Cernan re- with “the snake” of his umbilical and his unbendable suit until ceived his BS in electrical engineering in 1956. He earned his visor fogged. He barely squeezed back inside the capsule. his wings in November of 1957, a month after Sputnik His two-hour-and-ten-minute ordeal provided experience criti- launched. But he almost didn’t survive pilot training. Dur- cal to the success of future spacewalks. ing an exercise at the “Top Gun” school in California, he Cernan’s next flight, , was also commanded clipped a target pole and “came within six inches of … a by Stafford. This “dress rehearsal” for the catastrophic explosion.” His squadron buddies gave him a included (1930--) as command module pilot. banner saying, “Order of the Bent Pole—Limited to Living, Launching on May 18, 1969, Apollo 10 became the second Low-flying Aviators” (ibid, 38). human flight to leave Earth orbit. On leave from aircraft carrier duty in 1959, he met While Young flew the command module, a Continental Airlines stewardess, Barbara Atchley. They Stafford and Cernan steered the lunar module to were married in 1961 and moved to Monterey, California while he worked on his master’s in aeronautical engineer- continued on page 4

3 2008 NATIONAL SPACE TROPHY RECIPIENT - Eugene Andrew Cernan Rotary National Award for Space Achievement

within nine miles of the by the silence. “Not the song of a bird, the bark of a dog, not moon’s surface. “We a whisper of wind or any familiar sound from my entire life” were so close that I felt (ibid, 319). I might have to pick up They spent three days on the surface, setting records my feet, lest my toes drag including: longest lunar landing (301 hours 51 minutes); lon- across the mountain- gest lunar extravehicular activities (22 hours 6 minutes); largest tops” (ibid, 216). During sample return (about 249 lbs.); and longest time in descent, Cernan reported (147 hours 48 minutes). that “Things went topsy- After parking the rover, Cernan knelt and wrote his turvy ... We were totally daughter Tracy’s initials in the lunar dust. The more formal out of control ….” Think- plaque signed by the crew and President Nixon reads, “Here ing they might have an Man completed his first explorations of the moon. December open thruster, Stafford 1972 AD. May the spirit of peace in which we came be reflect- Apollo 10 lunar descent, . took over manually. Cer- ed in the lives of all mankind.” (NASA) nan noted that “…experts At the conclusion of Apollo 17, Cernan had logged later surmised that had more than 566 hours we continued spinning in space. From 1973 for only two more seconds, Tom and I would have crashed” through 1975, he (ibid, 218). The flight returned safely to Earth on May 26, served as a senior 1969. negotiator for the Cernan commanded the final flight of Apollo to to the Apollo/Soyuz project. Moon. Apollo 17 launched in darkness on December 7, 1972. He left NASA and “There was a brilliant and frightening burst of orange fire be- retired from the Navy low the Saturn when the five huge engines ignited with a fury in July 1976. that shook the land and sea for miles around, and thick col- Cernan served as umns of white smoke boiled into the spotlights ... [and] rushed a vice president of away across the low ground. For nine long seconds, the power Coral Petroleum, Inc. built and the thunderclap roar spread over the sand dunes and from 1976 to 1981. In 1981, he founded The Cernan Corpora- tion, an aerospace technology and Stafford and Cernan (in light coats) with cosmonauts in Moscow, marketing consult- Nov. 1973. (NASA) ing firm of which he remains President and CEO. He served as a consultant for Digital Equipment from 1986 to 1992, and as chairman of Johnson Engineering from 1994 until their acquisi- tion by SPACEHAB in 2000. Cernan has acted as a special technical consultant for television shows including ABC News and ESPN’s documen- tary, “Earthwinds Hilton.” His autobiography, The Last Man on the Moon, was published by St. Martin’s Press in 1999. Apollo 17 night launch, December 7, 1972. (NASA) Cernan and Barbara divorced in 1981. He married Jan Nanna in 1987. Residents of Houston, they have three daugh- ters and nine grandchildren. His hobbies include a love for marshland, making people in the grandstands three miles away horses and all competitive sports activities. cover their ears and shield their eyes as the deafening, staccato Cernan’s many accomplishments have earned him blast shoved against their bodies hard enough for them to feel honors from the Navy, NASA, academia, the U.S. shirt buttons press against their chests” (ibid, 302). and foreign governments. The RNASA While (1933-90) orbited in America, Foundation is privileged to further recognize Harrison “Jack” Schmitt (1935--) and Cernan descended to the with the National Space Trophy. surface in Challenger. Upon landing, Cernan was impressed 4 2008 MASTER OF CEREMONIES - Miles O’Brien Rotary National Award for Space Achievement

he RNASA SR-22 airplane, O’Brien also reports extensively on civil avia- TFoundation is tion issues and crash investigations, including those of US Air pleased to welcome 427, TWA 800, Egyptair 990, American 587, and the accidents back Miles O’Brien that took the lives of John F. Kennedy, Jr., Payne Stewart, and as Master of Ceremo- Senator Paul Wellstone. In the wake of the 2001 terrorist at- nies for this year’s tacks, O’Brien used his flight experience to provide simulated banquet. O’Brien is walk-through coverage of the hijacked flights. He has also an- CNN’s chief tech- chored much of the network’s coverage of the war in Iraq and nology and environ- provided reports about military action, especially as it pertains ment correspondent. to combat aviation. Based in New York, O’Brien has a history degree from Georgetown and O’Brien has anchored began his broadcasting career in 1982 at WRC-TV in D.C. He various newscasts for was a general assignment reporter and anchor at TV stations CNN and Headline in Boston, Tampa, Albany, NY, and St. Joseph, MO. O’Brien News including “Live joined CNN in 1992 as anchor and correspondent for CNN’s Miles O’Brien. (NASA) From” (with Kyra Science Unit, producing stories for CNN’s daily programming Phillips) and “American and writing and hosting the weekly broadcast “CNN Science & Morning.”O’Brien covers Technology Week.” all aspects of human and unmanned spaceflight. His report- O’Brien has been recognized with numerous awards, ing of space missions goes back more than ten years when he including the 2002 RNASA Space Communicator Award. covered ’s return to space in 1998. He led CNN’s O’Brien and his wife, Sandy, reside in New York City. coverage of NASA’s failed Mars Climate Orbiter and Polar Lander in 1999, provided a series of live and taped reports from Russia and Kazakhstan coinciding with the launch of the first expedition crew to the International Space Station in 2000, created a documentary, “Terminal Count: What it Takes to Make the Fly” in 2001, and continued cov- erage of the successful Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, that began their travels in 2003. When tragedy struck the space community with the loss of the Columbia crew in 2003, O’Brien came to and prepared in-depth reports on the aftermath and subsequent investigation. He then covered the STS-114 Return-to-Flight in 2005 that was commanded by 2006 Na- tional Space Trophy winner . O’Brien is the former anchor for “CNN Saturday Morning” and “CNN Sunday Morning” as well as the former primetime co-anchor of “CNN Headline News,” and a regu- lar contributor to “Next@CNN,” a one-hour weekly program covering science, technology, space, aviation and environ- Miles has some fun with the audience at mental current events. In the fall of 2005, O’Brien contributed the 2005 RNASA banquet. (NASA) live reports from the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, helping to earn CNN a Peabody award. An instrument-rated pilot and part owner of a Cirrus

6 2008 SPACE COMMUNICATOR AWARD RECIPIENT - Neil deGrasse Tyson Rotary National Award for Space Achievement

he RNASA Foundation seen. Without regenerating homegrown interest in these fields, Tselected astrophysicist the comfortable lifestyle to which Americans have become Neil deGrasse Tyson, PhD, to accustomed will draw to a rapid close.” receive the 2008 Space Com- Born in New York City the same week NASA was municator Award. founded, by the time landed on the Moon, Tyson Tyson is an astro- had already identified the universe as his life’s passion. This physicist and the Frederick P. interest drove him to earn a BA in physics from Harvard in Rose director of the Hayden 1980, a MA in astronomy from the University of in Planetarium at the American 1983, and a PhD in astrophysics from Columbia in 1991. He Museum of Natural History joined the staff at the American Museum-Hayden Planetarium (AMNH) in New York City. in 1994, and became director in 1996. In parallel, he served as RNASA Advisor a visiting research scientist with Princeton until 2003, when Jeffrey E. Carr said, “Dr. he became a research associate at the museum. His areas of Tyson commands an Neil deGrasse Tyson. study include star formation, exploding stars, dwarf galaxies, (Photo by Dan Deitch for uncommon grasp of the and the structure of the Milky Way. PBS/NOVA “Origins”) connections between the Tyson has received numerous honors and awards, in- human and astrophysical cluding nine honorary doctorates and the NASA Distinguished elements of our universe, and our need as humans to explore Public Service Medal. On the lighter side, he was named by it. His remarkable ability to bring those connections to life People magazine as the Sexiest Astrophysicist Alive in 2000 for audiences in ways that are understandable, entertaining and holds the record for the most appearances on “The Colbert and compelling has contributed immeasurably to the public’s Report”. Chosen by Time magazine as one of the 100 most understanding of and support for space exploration.” influential people in the world in 2007, Tyson resides in New Tyson is the author of eight books that have edu- York City with his wife and two children. cated millions of people on space topics. His latest, Death By The RNASA Foundation is pleased to recognize Dr. Black Hole—and Other Cosmic Quandaries (W.W. Norton, Neil Tyson as one of the world’s most inspirational, influen- New York, 2007), was a New York Times bestseller. He is a tial, and passionate communicators. contributing essayist for Natural History magazine under the title “Universe,” and has become a recognized spokesman for space science through his role as on-camera host for the PBS- NOVA 4-part mini-series “Origins” which aired in September 2004, and its spin-off program NOVA “ScienceNow”, a look at the science that shapes the understanding of our place in the universe. As a member of the NASA Advisory Council since 2006, Tyson helps guide the Agency in implementing its vi- sion within its limited budget. He previously served on the 9-member Presidential Commission on the Implementation of the United States Space Exploration Policy that produced the report, A Journey to Inspire, Innovate, and Discover in 2004. In explaining why space is important, Tyson wrote in Tyson in the Hayden space theater. Parade magazine (August 2007) that “Science and technology (Photo by Denis Finnin for AMNH) are the greatest engines of economic growth the world has ever

8 2008 NATIONAL SPACE TROPHY PRESENTER - Tom Short Rotary National Award for Space Achievement

resenting the Division of North American Rockwell as the vice president PNational Space of field operations three years later. Following the award of Trophy is RNASA the space shuttle contract to North American Rockwell, Short Advisor Tom Short, relocated to Houston where he oversaw field operations at a long-time business multiple NASA centers. associate and friend In 1976, Short became the President of Rileys of Captain Cernan. Datashare, a publicly-traded oilfield services company in Born in 1933 Calgary, Canada. He and his family remained in Calgary for in Moberly, Missouri, more than ten years. In addition to his position with Rileys, Short graduated he also was the President and owner of several other oilfield from Notre Dame service organizations, including Muskeg Oilfield Services with a BA degree and Canadian Short Line, Inc. in 1954, and was Short returned to Houston in 1987 to work with the commissioned as a Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) where he shared an 2nd lieutenant in office with Gene Cernan, who was also consulting for DEC. the United States Short’s position with DEC was as manager of their aerospace Tom Short. Air Force that same corporate accounts, responsible for more than $350 million in (Photo by Mike Scalf Photography, Inc.) year. He was granted annual sales. He retired from DEC in 1992, but he didn’t stay a delay in reporting retired very long. for active duty to attend law school, and he graduated with He accepted an executive marketing position with an LLB/JD degree in 1956. He received his wings as a multi- American Pacific Corporation, and worked in Las Vegas, engine pilot after completion of his training in B-25’s at Reese Nevada. for the next two years. During this same period, AFB in Lubbock, Texas in 1957. He was then assigned as a Short and Cernan were both members of the Board of pilot on a C-54 transport crew. He was eventually selected to Directors of the Johnson Engineering (JE) Corporation. They be the aide-de-camp for the commanding general at the 16th joined with Bill Jackson in the acquisition of JE in 1994. Air Procurement District in New York City in addition to his Short returned to Houston to be president and CEO of the duties as a pilot. Short was promoted to the rank of captain and company. Cernan was the chairman of the board and Bill transferred to inactive reserve in the fall of 1960. Jackson was the chief financial officer. In 1998, the owners In 1960, Short joined the RCA Defense Electronic sold JE to the SPACEHAB Corporation. Short was retained Products Group in Moorestown, New Jersey as a contracts by SPACEHAB as senior vice president of the JE subsidiary manager. Three years later he accepted a business development for the next three years. position with the Space and Information Systems Division In 2001, Short retired for the second time. Once of (NAA) in Downey, California. again, he failed to remain retired. In 2004, Short became He was transferred to the NAA office in Washington D.C. for the president and CEO of Anadarko Industries, a company three years. He moved to Houston in 1964 as the manager owned by the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes of Anadarko, of the Space Division Field Office. Short’s job gave him the Oklahoma. He is still active in this capacity and enjoying the opportunity to meet and work with most of the Mercury, challenge of building a new company for the tribe. Gemini and Apollo astronauts, including Gene Cernan who Short has been married to his wife Carol for 47 years. became a good friend. They have five children and nine grandchildren. They live While in Houston, Short also participated in once again in what Short calls “good old” Houston, Texas. the formation of several new community and business His hobbies include an occasional round of golf. organizations, including the Space City Rotary Club. The RNASA Foundation is pleased to have him In 1968, Short accepted a position with the Systems join us in recognizing Captain Cernan with Development Corporation in Santa Monica, California as the the National Space Trophy. vice president of government marketing. He rejoined the Space 10 2008 SPACE COMMUNICATOR AWARD PRESENTER - Jeffrey E. Carr Rotary National Award for Space Achievement

NASA From 1992 to 1994, Carr was chief of the News and RAdvisor Information Branch at JSC, supervising a staff of public affairs Jeffrey E. Carr specialists and support contractors in the planning and conduct of is presenting news and information-media activities on local, regional, nation- the 2008 Space al and international levels. Communicator Carr served on temporary assignment in 1993 as spe- Award to Dr. cial assistant for communications to the NASA administrator Neil deGrasse (then Dan Goldin). He provided critical transition support and Tyson on behalf insights into key issues and activities for the Agency during the of the Founda- early months of the Clinton administration. His duties included tion. Director speechwriting, media relations and White House liaison support. of Communica- As acting director of Public Affairs at JSC, Carr devel- tions and Public oped and directed educational programs, media production and Relations for broadcasting, media services, news and information services, Jeffrey E. Carr. United Space visitor programs, and exhibits and public appearances. (Photo courtesy Jeff Carr) Alliance (USA) Carr joined USA in 1996, and has reported directly to since 1998, Carr the President and CEO since 1998. He is responsible for com- is a member of the team that won the Space Communicator pany reputation management through strategic communications Award in 2004. including media, community, and customer relations; state and Born in New Bern, North Carolina, Carr moved to local government relations; marketing communications and Houston when his father, (1932- ) was selected advertising. as an astronaut in 1966. The senior Carr flew as commander Believing that the United States should remain a leader of the 84-day 4 mission in 1973. in space, science and technology, Carr is one of the founders Carr graduated with a BS in Radio-Television- Film and driving forces behind the Coalition for Space Exploration, a from the University of Texas in 1982. His teaching assistant collaboration of space industry businesses and advocacy groups in ASTRO 301 was a young Neil Tyson. that educates and informs the public on the value and benefits In the early 80s, Carr was vice president and man- of space exploration. Carr recently worked with Tyson on an ager of Mission Operations for Media Services Corporation, upcoming PBS broadcast sponsored by the Coalition. managing a staff of producers and technical directors in the Carr has more than 25 years in aerospace communica- planning and live programming of space shuttle mission cov- tions and public relations. He is the holder of two Telly Awards erage for NASA television. for national achievement in media production. He received the Carr joined NASA in 1987, and served in a number NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal and was a member of of key roles in the Public Affairs Office at Johnson Space the NASA/Industry Communications Team presented the 2004 Center (JSC), including press liaison and information spe- RNASA Space Communicator Award. cialist for Flight Crew and Mission Operations. He served Carr and his wife Mengo reside in Houston, and have a in Mission Control as a flight commentator for more than 40 son and daughter who also live in Houston. The RNASA Foun- space shuttle flights. He led the only NASA public affairs dation is grateful to Jeff Carr for all the volunteer team ever given the honor of hanging the mission plaque— time and talent he brings to the organization as after the record-breaking 13-day flight of the U.S. micrograv- one of our most active advisors. ity laboratory on STS-50 in 1992. 12 13 2008 STELLAR AWARD PRESENTER - Commander Sunita L. Williams 2008 STELLAR AWARD PRESENTER - Leland Melvin Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Rotary National Award for Space Achievement

he RNASA . With more than 2,770 hours in more than 30 differ- he RNASA Office. As co-manager of NASA’s Educator Astronaut Pro- TFoundation ent aircraft, Williams was selected for the astronaut program TFoundation gram, Melvin traveled across the country, inspiring thousands welcomes astro- in 1998. is pleased to have of students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineer- naut and Navy After training, Williams worked with the ISS first astronaut Leland ing and math. Commander expedition crew in Moscow. Following their return from space Melvin as a Stellar STS-122 was Melvin’s first flight and the 24th shuttle Sunita (“Suni” in 2001, Williams worked within the Robotics Branch on the Award presenter mission to visit the International Space Station. A highlight of pronounced “sun- ISS robotic arm and the Canadian Dextre (which was installed this year. The the mission was the delivery and installation of the European ny”) L. Williams on the station this March). former football Space Agency’s (ESA’s) Columbus module. As a robotic arm as a 2008 Stellar As a NEEMO2 crewmember, she lived underwater player flew as a operator, Melvin supported the three spacewalks required Award presenter. in the Aquarius habitat off the coast of for nine days mission specialist to prepare Columbus for operation, and to replace a used Williams set a in May 2002. This was great experience for her later record- on the STS-122 nitrogen tank on the station’s truss. STS-122 also provided a new world record breaking stay in space. Launched on STS-116 on December flight of Atlantis ride up for ESA Astronaut Léopold Eyharts, and a ride home of 195 days in 9, 2006, Williams joined the crew onboard the this February 7-20. for Expedition-16 NASA Astronaut Daniel Tani. At the end space by a woman International Space Station two days later. On January 31, He celebrated of this mission, Melvin had logged 12 days, 18 hours, 21 during her stay on February 4, and February 9, 2007, she completed three space- his 44th birthday minutes and 40 seconds in space. the International walks from the ISS with Michael Lopez-Alegria, setting a new while in space. Melvin is a member of National Technical Associa- Space Station record for spacewalk time by a woman (subsequently broken Originally tion (Hampton Roads Chapter), American Chemical Society, (ISS) that ended by this past December). from Lynchburg, and the Society for Experimental Mechanics. His awards Commander , USN. (NASA) in June of last An avid runner, in April of 2007, she completed the Virginia, Melvin include the Invention Disclosure Award for Lead Insensitive year. Boston marathon in four hours and 24 minutes via the station Leland Melvin. (NASA) graduated from Fiber Optic Phase Locked Loop Sensor; eight NASA Out- Of Indian treadmill. When Williams’ return flight, STS-117, was delayed Heritage High standing Performance Awards; two NASA Superior Accom- descent, Williams was born in Euclid, Ohio on September 19, two months because of hail damage, she surpassed Shannon School in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1982. He received a bach- plishment Awards; the NASA Space Flight Medal; the Key to 1965, but considers Needham, Massachusetts her hometown. Lucid’s duration record set back in 1996. Williams landed at elor of science in chemistry from the University of Richmond the City of Lynchburg, Virginia; the title of NCAA Division I She graduated from Needham High School in 1983. She Edwards Air Force Base on June 22, 2007, having spent 194 in Richmond, Virginia in 1986, and was chosen by the Detroit Academic All American; and induction into the University of earned her BS in physical science from the U.S. Naval Acad- days, 18 hours and 58 minutes in space. Williams currently Lions in the 11th round of the 1986 NFL college draft. He Richmond’s Athletic Hall of Fame. emy and received her commission as an ensign in May 1987. serves as deputy chief of the Astronaut Office. participated in the Toronto Argonauts and Dallas Cowboys Amazingly unmarried, the handsome bachelor loves After a six-month assignment at the Naval Coastal Williams is a member of the Society of Experimen- football training camps. walking his dogs, Jake and Scout. He also enjoys photogra- System Command, she received her designation as a ba- tal Test Pilots, the Society of Flight Test Engineers, and the Melvin began his career with NASA in the Fiber phy, piano, reading, music, cycling, tennis and snowboarding. sic diving officer and reported to Training American Helicopter Association. Her awards include two Optic Sensors Group of the Nondestructive Evaluation Sci- Command. She was designated a naval aviator in July 1989, Navy Commenda- ences Branch at NASA in 1989. He reporting to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 3 for initial tion Medals, a Navy conducted research on advanced instrumentation for nonde- H46 Seaknight training. Upon completion of this training, and Marine Corps structive evaluation (NDE) while earning a masters degree in she was assigned to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 8 Achievement Med- materials science engineering from the University of Virginia in Norfolk, Virginia. She made overseas deployments to the al, a Humanitarian (awarded 1991). His research included using optical fiber sen- Mediterranean, Red Sea and the Persian Gulf in support of Service Medal, and sors to measure strain, temperature, and chemical damage in Desert Shield and Operation Provide Comfort. the NASA Distin- both composite and metallic structures. In September 1992, Williams became the officer-in- guished Medal. In 1994, Melvin was selected to lead the Vehicle charge of an H-46 detachment onboard USS Sylvania sent to Married to Health Monitoring team for the cooperative Lockheed/NASA Miami, Florida for hurricane Andrew relief. Williams gradu- Michael J. Wil- X-33 Reusable Launch Vehicle Program. The team developed ated from Naval in December 1993, and joined the liams, she enjoys distributed fiber optic strain, temperature and hydrogen sen- Rotary Wing Aircraft Test Directorate as an H-46 project offi- running, swimming, sors to reduce operational costs and to monitor composite liq- cer, and V-22 chase pilot in the T-2. While there, she was also biking, triathlons, uid oxygen tank and cryogenic insulation performance. Two assigned as the squadron safety officer and flew test flights in windsurfing, snow- years later, Melvin co-designed and monitored construction the SH-60B/F, UH-1, AH-1W, SH-2, VH-3, H-46, CH-53 and boarding and bow of an optical NDE facility capable of producing in-line fiber the H-57. hunting. A crazy optic Bragg grating strain sensors at rates in excess of 1,000 Williams earned her masters in engineering man- Jack Russell Terrier per hour. This facility will provide a way to perform advanced agement from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1995. named Gorby adds sensor and laser research for development of aerospace and In December that year, she returned to the Naval Test Pilot his share of civilian health-monitoring systems. School as an instructor in the Rotary Wing Department and as excitement to Melvin was selected as an astronaut in 1998. He Melvin during STS-122, February, 2008. (NASA) the school’s safety officer. She flew the UH-60, OH-6 and the her life. served in the Astronaut Office Space Station Operations OH-58. Her next assignment was as aircraft handler and as- Branch, the Education Department at NASA Headquarters, sistant air boss on the USS Saipan (LHA-2) based in Norfolk, Williams runs the Boston marathon in April 2007. (NASA) Washington, D.C, and the Robotics Branch of the Astronaut

14 15 ROTARY NATIONAL AWARD FOR SPACE ACHIEVEMENT FOUNDATION Rotary National Award for Space Achievement

Front Row (left to right): Sheila Self, Ann Charles, Jenny Mitchell, Mary Alys Cherry, L. Jean Walker (Secretary), Marianne Dyson

Middle Row (left to right): Floyd Bennett, Frank Perez, Bill Geissler, Bill Taylor (Vice Chairman), Jack Lister, Bob Wren, Jayant Ramakrishnan, Duane Ross

Back Row (left to right): S. John Wilkins III, Gary Johnson, Rodolfo González (Chairman), Marcus Havican, Steven Fredrickson, Richard Jackson, Geoff Atwater (Treasurer)

Not Pictured: Shelley Baccus, Jeffrey Carr, Branelle Cibuzar, Lindsey Cousins, Murray Epstein, Susan Gomez, Dick Gregg III, David Hamblin, Tim Kropp, Kim Nahas

Photo by J. Pamela Photography, Inc.

he Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Development, Dr. Arnold Aldrich, and former NASA Flight T(RNASA) Foundation exists to recognize the people Directors and NST winners Dr. Christopher C. Kraft, Jr. (1999) whose work in the field of space exploration has lasting and Dr. Glynn S. Lunney (2005). impact and benefits. Established twenty-two years ago by the The RNASA Foundation is a nonprofit organization Space Center Rotary Club, the Foundation carries out its goal that depends on corporate sponsorships to create an event that through organizing an annual awards gala. has been called the “Academy Awards of Space.” For the past The top award is the National Space Trophy (NST) eight years, the event has grown so that the Foundation has being presented to Captain Eugene Cernan this year. been able to donate scholarships for space-related programs, Outstanding individuals (pages 32-33 for previous winners) including Purdue, the University of Houston-Clear Lake, the are first nominated by government, industry, and professional Wings of the Eagle Foundation, Parks College of Engineering organizations. The winner is then selected by a vote of the at St. Louis University, and the Texas High School Aerospace Foundation’s Board of Advisors (page 34) that includes current Scholars (HAS) program. and former NASA center directors, presidents of aerospace The Texas HAS students complete on-line lessons and corporations, space journalists, and previous award recipients. then spend a week at JSC where they are briefed by engineers, The confidential votes are tabulated by an independent scientists, and astronauts; and compete in building rovers, accounting firm. rockets, and landers. HAS plans for 2008 include summer The Foundation also periodically recognizes sessions for 360 high-school juniors. One student wrote, “My individuals or groups with special awards such as the week at the Johnson Space Center inspired me to definitely Space Communicator Award presented this year to Dr. Neil become an aerospace engineer and aspire to work as a co-op deGrasseTyson (page 8). after I graduate from high school, hopefully to eventually work To recognize the “unsung heroes” of the space … in the area of manned spaceflight.” – Cody, HAS 2005, program, Stellar Awards for individual and team achievements Bandera High School, Bandera. are solicited from NASA, the military, and industry leaders in The Foundation is grateful for the enthusiasm and human and unmanned spaceflight programs. The awards are support it has received from the aerospace industry, educational divided into four categories: Early-career, Mid-career, Late- organizations, NASA, and the Department of Defense. This career, and Teams. Nominations (pages 20-31) are reviewed by support assures the continued recognition of outstanding a distinguished panel who selects the winners based on which achievements by United States citizens in the area accomplishments hold the greatest promise for furthering of space exploration, and support of today’s future successes in space. This year’s evaluators were students who will become our future space former NASA Associate Administrator for Space Systems explorers. 16 22nd ANNUAL RNASA BANQUET EVENT SPONSORS

PROGRAM CORPORATE TABLE SPONSORS PROGRAM BOOK ADVERTISERS Friday, April 25, 2008 The Aerospace Corporation American Pacific Corporation 6:00 American Pacific Corporation ARES Corporation ARES Corporation ATK Launch Systems RECEPTION ATK Launch Systems The Boeing Company Victoria Reva, pianist Barrios Technology Hamilton Sundstrand The Boeing Company ILC Dover 7:00 Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. Jacobs Engineering Cimarron Lockheed Martin WELCOME GB Tech, Inc. ManTech SRS Technologies, Inc. Rodolfo González, Chairman, RNASA Foundation General Dynamics MEI Technologies PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS Hamilton Sundstrand Northrop Grumman Honeywell Omega Watches Clear Lake High School Army JROTC Color Guard ILC Dover Perot Systems NATIONAL ANTHEM Jacobs Engineering Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Shari Wilkins JSC Federal Credit Union Space City Films Lockheed Martin United Space Alliance INVOCATION ManTech SRS Technologies, Inc. Rev. William H. King, III, Pastor MEI Technologies, Inc. SPECIAL THANKS MRI Technologies Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church Craig Insurance Northrop Grumman Jeffrey E. Carr DINNER Oceaneering Space Systems Col. Eileen M. Collins, USAF (Ret.) Omega Watches Jerrold DeWease 8:15 Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne David Hamblin, CPA OPENING VIDEO Science Applications International Corporation Hyatt Regency Houston Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies MRI Technologies Space City Films Tech Trans International NASA Johnson Space Center MASTER OF CEREMONIES United Space Alliance United Space Alliance University of Houston--Clear Lake Miles O’Brien, CNN Correspondent CREDITS PRESENTATION OF COMMUNICATOR AWARD STELLAR AWARD TROPHIES, ATK Launch Systems Program book content by Jeffrey Carr, Director of Communications, United Space Alliance OMEGA WATCH, Omega Watches Marianne Dyson PRESENTATION OF STELLAR AWARDS CAPT. CERNAN’S PAINTING, Science Layout and design by Applications International Corporation Lindsey Cousins/Bayside Graphics Sunita Williams, Commander, USN, NASA Astronaut Cover art by Leland Melvin, NASA Astronaut STELLAR AWARD JUDGES Pat Rawlings/SAIC Printing by PRESENTATION OF NATIONAL SPACE TROPHY Arnold D. Aldrich MinuteMan Press/Bay Area Dr. Christopher C. Kraft, Jr. W. Tom Short, President, Anadarko Industries Video/Live Event/Multimedia Production by Dr. Glynn S. Lunney Space City Films PRESENTATION OF THE OMEGA WATCH Lt. Gen. Thomas Stafford, USN (Ret.) RECOGNITION OF SPONSORS AND CLOSING

18 19 2008 STELLAR AWARD NOMINEES - EARLY Rotary National Award for Space Achievement

Jeremy H. Brand of Maj. David J. Laird of the USAF, 45th Space Wing, 45th NASA Johnson Space Launch Support Squadron - Outstanding contributions to Center - Technical enabling technologies for future space capabilities including excellence in thermal communications and responsive space, and contributions protection system materials to mission assurance for current spacecraft and space lift and processes, and key campaigns. contributions to the Orbiter Damage Assessment team. Neal E. Lepsetz of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - Outstanding leadership, technical accomplishment, and Jimmy M. Doll, Jr. of dedication in support of space shuttle main engine test and Lockheed Martin Space flight operations. Systems Company - Stellar Award winners receive a Outstanding leadership Thomas N. Martin III of Pratt & Whitney high-quality marble trophy such as the one shown here. demonstrated during Rocketdyne - Outstanding contributions to the design, the external tank-120 development and testing of space flight injector and ignition restoration and delivery systems. effort in support of the manifest, resulting in improved understanding and reduction of external Capt. Jason D. Niederhauser of the USAF, 1st Air and 2007 Early Career Winners (L to R): James Reilly, II (presenting), Robert Crouch, David York, Mark Mulqueen (for Matthew Scudder), tank debris. Space Test Squadron - Outstanding leadership in developing Joshua Hopkins, Capt. Brian M. Clifford, USAF, Joan Higginbotham (presenting). Dana Weigel not pictured. (NASA) and testing operationally responsive space concepts and Timothy A. Finkel of NASA Johnson Space Center - prototypes while laying the foundation for gaining and Outstanding leadership in ground testing, development of maintaining space superiority. operational philosophies, procedures, and safety controls Stephen E. Prescott of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - culminating in the successful activation of the oxygen Alyssa M. Olson of Space Applications International Outstanding dedication, leadership, and technical excellence in generator system onboard the International Space Station. Corporation - Exceptional safety and mission assurance supporting safe flight of the space shuttle. contributions in addressing flight issues with the shuttle Ryan T. Gill of The Boeing Company - Exceptional remote manipulator system and design issues with the orbiter Jessica A. Stuart of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - initiative and leadership in project integration for design, boom sensor system and keep-alive umbilical. Leadership and technical excellence in enabling safe flight for build and delivery of International Space Station flight the Delta II RS-27 engine and the Delta IV RS-68 engine. hardware, and for production implementation of an John K. Paris of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - Leadership engineering design release system. and technical excellence in support of multidisciplinary Lauren Walls of Booz Allen Hamilton - Outstanding simulation tools and processes for the J-2X engine, contribution to International Space Station assembly Michael Gregory of ARES Corporation - Significant enhancement and application of tools for hypersonic and maintenance by early identification and leadership efforts in promoting knowledge management propulsion, and development of an automated manifold resolution of resupply needs. and retention to ease NASA’s workforce transition while design tool. providing full support to the Vision for Space Exploration. Monique S. Wilburn of NASA Johnson Space Center - Paul Albert Parker of The Boeing Company - Exemplary Tireless work ethic and enthusiastic dedication to the Energy 1st Lt. Anna E. Gunn-Golkin of the USAF, 1st Air and contributions as lead orbiter debris analyst, ensuring shuttle Systems Division Battery Group projects. Space Test Squadron - Outstanding contributions to space thermal protection system structural integrity for Earth entry. material sciences, Missile Defense Agency development Heather J. Wojciechowski of ATK Launch Systems - efforts, and community programs supporting space and 1st Lt. Jodie J.E. Pleisch of the USAF, 1st Air and Space Outstanding initiative, enthusiasm and leadership instrumental aerospace education. Test Squadron - Outstanding dedication and launch mission to the successful qualification of the ATK booster separation management in overseeing two critical Missile Defense motor for the Space Shuttle Program. Elizabeth P. Hayley of NASA Johnson Space Agency test launches, enhancing national security. Center- Exceptional technical support to the Shuttle Orbiter Jody Woods of NASA Stennis Space Center - Exceptional Environmental Control and Life Support Systems team as the continued on next page. technical expertise and demonstrated leadership in multi- NASA subsystem engineer for atmosphere revitalization. physics modeling and analysis application to rocket propulsion test systems development.

20 21 2008 STELLAR AWARD NOMINEES - MIDDLE Rotary National Award for Space Achievement

Tech. Sgt. Jesse A. Arbour of the USAF, 45th Space Wing, and provide information to ensure the safety of extravehicular 45th Launch Support Squadron - Successful launch site crewmembers from this hazard. integration leadership on the first Wideband SATCOM launch and formulation of new mission assurance processes for the J. Derek Hassmann of NASA Johnson Space Center - 45th Launch Support Squadron, resulting in selection as the Exceptional professionalism, outstanding leadership and lead for future Wideband SATCOM spacecraft missions. technical expertise in the preparation and execution of complex International Space Station assembly mission operations. Dan R. Bell of The Boeing Company - Outstanding leadership of the orbiter thermal protection system technical community Michael T. Henry of ATK Launch Systems - Visionary including leadership of the On-orbit Debris Assessment Team leadership in creating an exceptionally strong safety and mission during each mission. assurance team of proactive, collaborative problem solvers that continues to lead innovation and improvements for shuttle, Ares, Roger E. Berenson of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - and next-generation launch vehicles. Outstanding leadership in the development of the RS-68A engine system and major contributions to the development of Lara E. Kearney of NASA Johnson Space Center - Visionary multiple rocket engine systems. leadership and management expertise in establishing the EVA systems project for the . James M. Berreth of The Boeing Company - Outstanding leadership of the design, development and flawless operation of Keith L. Kreutzberg of Wyle - Pioneering commitment to 2007 Middle-Career Winners (L to R): Joan Higginbotham (presenting), Timothy Leonard, Carson Sparks, Christopher the station-shuttle power transfer system, supporting extended developing streamlined research integration and management Singer, Kimberly Doering, Wanda Sigur, Robert Cuardos, Anthony Ceccacci, James Reilly, II (presenting), duration of shuttle missions to the International Space Station. processes, hardware development and operations for NASA James Kennedy not pictured. (NASA) programs. David E. Bierwirth of Lockheed Martin Mission Services - Exceptional technical expertise demonstrated across multiple James G. LaRocque of United Space Alliance - Exemplary disciplines, including status accounting and verification, leadership and dedication to applying industrial quality systems engineering and safety and mission assurance. improvement processes, including Lean Six Sigma, to human spaceflight programs. Kelly S. Carney of NASA Glenn Research Center - Exceptional fundamental research creating material models for Robert K. Levy of The Boeing Company - Excellent impact analysis, allowing the accurate assessment of the risks technical performance and leadership of electrical power system from debris to the space shuttle and other systems. operations on the International Space Station (ISS), providing innovative solutions to ensure power resources support ISS Keiko Chevray of NASA Johnson Space Center - objectives. Outstanding leadership, insight, and technical excellence in the evaluation, design, and verification of integrated guidance, Stephen Lucero of the USAF, Air Force Research navigation and control system performance for advanced Laboratory - Outstanding contributions to satellite performance spacecraft. and survivability in low-Earth orbit. Michael J. Dunham of The Boeing Company - Exemplary Michael C. McBain of Lockheed Martin Space Systems achievements as the space shuttle orbiter stress, loads, and Company - Exceptional leadership and commitment dynamics subsystem manager, ensuring the orbiter structure demonstrated on the space shuttle return-to-flight effort. meets Space Shuttle Program requirements. Bruce A. McDavid of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - Vanessa S. Ellerbe-Wycne of NASA Johnson Space Excellence in development and support of space shuttle main Center - Decades of leadership in streamlining Space Shuttle engine high pressure turbomachinery. and Constellation Program planning, development, and Mark E. Mulqueen of The Boeing Company - Exceptional integration of operations requirements, processes, and plans that leadership and technical development of the International Space significantly reduce costs and improve performance of human Station external truss elements and successful and sustained space flight. operation of the ISS. Michael P. Gordon of The Boeing Company - Outstanding William M. Munsch of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - leadership of the orbiter leading-edge structural subsystem Outstanding achievements and leadership on diverse liquid technical community, consistently demonstrating dedication, propulsion programs leading to significant skill, and expertise. advancements in launch vehicle capability and technology. Douglas R. Hamilton of Wyle - Outstanding effort to identify continued on page 24 and understand potential issues of plasma shock hazard on ISS, 22 23 2008 STELLAR AWARD NOMINEES - MIDDLE (continued) Rotary National Award for Space Achievement

Dale B. Nielsen of ATK Launch Systems - Exceptional Mark B. Schrock of United Space Alliance - Significant knowledge, personal dedication and outstanding technical contributions to the design and development of innovative accomplishments in resolving loads and structureal challenges proximity operations techniques required to support the Space for the space launch community. Shuttle Program. Scott M. O’Connor of the - Terry J. Soich of Honeywell - Exemplary dedication, Exceptional leadership, professionalism and technical expertise professionalism, and technical leadership in supporting the in establishing the Space Test Integration Office, Air Force build, integration and operation of the ISS command and data Space Command’s focal organization for the integration of handling systems. development and operational testing. Troy C. Stratton of ATK Launch Systems - Successful Carlos Ortiz of The Boeing Company - Outstanding development and application of testing, analysis and design engineering skill, debris domain expertise, and effective innovations resulting in significant safety and reliability leadership in support of the Space Shuttle Program. improvements in the nation’s human space flight programs. Peter J. Paceley of SPACEHAB, Inc. - Outstanding Michael E. Vinje of NASA Kennedy Space Center - contribution to the space program through exceptional Excellence and dedication in support of the Orion crew leadership in the development and management of exploration vehicle “off-line” processing. SPACEHAB’s Space Shuttle Module Program, cargo carrier hardware, and other domestic and international space service Jeffry S. Welsh of the USAF, Air Force Research Laboratory initiatives. Space Vehicles Directorate - Exceptional contributions toward improving space access for experiments and demonstrations, 2007 Late-Career Winners (L to R): James Reilly, II (presenting), Tommie Lacefield, Eugene Beckett, Terry Boardman, Capt. Glen R. Phillips of the Lockheed Martin Space Systems and for increasing the understanding of failure mechanisms in Dan Brandenstein, USN (Ret.), Glenn Ecord, Robert Savely, Joan Higginbotham (presenting). (NASA) Company - Exceptional knowledge, leadership, dedication and composite materials. perseverance instrumental in completing the fabrication and certification of the generic pan tilt unit to support the return-to- Gary L. Wentz of NASA Marshall Space Flight flight space shuttle missions. Center - Consistent technical excellence across a range of complex missions that empower America’s human and robotic Jeffery P. Pilet of the Lockheed Martin Space Systems exploration of space, both today and in the decades ahead. Company - Outstanding technical achievement in design, development, demonstration and verification of space shuttle Martha P. Willis of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - external tank return-to-flight changes. Significant contributions to America’s space program in the area of space shuttle main engine advanced health management. Glenn P. Rakow of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - Successful leadership in gaining the U.S. aerospace David Witwer of Space Applications International community’s acceptance of the Space Wire standard, which is Corporation - Exceptional level of professional responsibility, enabling more aerospace missions at lower cost through the technical expertise, and leadership as senior safety operations reuse of components and avionics systems. engineer, demonstrating superior contributions to shuttle safety and the development of the Orion cockpit design. Jayant V. Ramakrishnan of the ARES Corporation - Dedication and tireless efforts in furthering the human space Carol Wong of Lockheed Martin Mission Services - program through contributions to the International Space Station Exceptional leadership on the Lockheed Martin Orion and the aerospace community. spacecraft design team from contract award through System Definition Review, and promotion of diversity in the workplace Dena M. Richmond of United Space Alliance - Outstanding through support of women’s and minorities’ achievements. achievements and accomplishments in Kennedy Space Center paperless work execution and business system enhancements. Warren Woodworth of United Space Alliance - Outstanding creativity and leadership in solving complex orbiter problems Robert R. Romanofsky of NASA Glenn Research enabling on-time accomplishment of major program milestones Center - Innovative technology contributions in the research and avoiding significant rework costs. and development of novel microwave devices and systems in support of NASA’s space communications programs. Gregory M. Wright of NASA Marshall Space Flight Center - For outstanding dedication, Peter A. Schilhavy of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - professionalism, and leadership of the Chandra Exceptional technical expertise in design, integration, and X-ray observatory mission operations activities. development of liquid rocket engine propulsion systems including J-2X, X-33, and divert and attitude control systems. 24 25 James D. Milhoan of MEI Technologies, Inc. - Excellence Douglas G. Schwaab of The Boeing Company - Sustained in and dedication to NASA human space flight programs outstanding contributions to the International Space Station in the area of thermal protection system development and Program in the fields of logistics supportability analysis, 2008 STELLAR AWARD NOMINEES - LATE testing. integrated vehicle performance analysis, and hardware/software integration. Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Robert W. Moorehead of NASA Glenn Research Center - Unwavering commitment to effective and efficient John W. Steele of the Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation - leadership and continuous excellence in the development of Exceptional technical achievement and leadership in applying Robert Acree of the USAF, Air Force Research Moh’d A. Hasan of Lockheed Martin Space Systems space flight systems. chemistry discipline expertise to oxygen and coolant systems of Laboratory - Outstanding leadership, management, and technical Company - Significant technology leadership to the Orion Project the extravehicular mobility unit, space shuttle and space station in expertise provided during more than 30 years of federal service to command and telemetry subsystem for the first test article and Ka- Laurence A. Price of Lockheed Martin Space Systems support of human flight programs. space satellite systems. band subsystem. Company - Outstanding private-public partnership to develop a state-of-the-art testing and simulation facility Peggy E. Thomas of The Boeing Company - Outstanding William Atwell of The Boeing Company - Internationally John M. Haworth of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - Lifelong supporting “test like you fly” development of the Orion service to human space flight throughout a career dedicated to recognized expertise and 40 years of experience in the areas of: service, dedication and devotion to the design, analysis and crew exploration vehicle and other Constellation space leading development and maintenance of high-quality software the space radiation environment; high-energy particle transport innovation of liquid rocket engines. exploration elements taking humans back to the moon and for mission control and for the International Space Station. through materials; active and passive dosimetry; spacecraft, on to Mars. satellite, and anatomical modeling/shielding analyses; radiation James A. Kaminsky of The Boeing Company - Outstanding Hung-Viet Truong-Cao of Lockheed Martin Mission detection instrumentation; and biological and physical effects. support to America’s space programs, including extensive Lincoln J. Salvador of The Boeing Company - Services - Outstanding leadership and exceptional technical contributions to space shuttle systems engineering and integration. Exceptional leadership, technical expertise, and integrity in contributions to the design, development, and analysis of Bruce Bowman of the USAF, Headquarters Air Force Space overcoming numerous technical challenges as manager of intravehicular equipment, extravehicular equipment, and Command - Significant contributions to space environment Raj K. Kaul of NASA Marshall Space Flight Center - orbiter mechanical systems. environmental control and life support systems for ISS and the understanding, including improving space catalog accuracy, Successful research and development of novel materials for use on Orion crew exploration vehicle. providing better collision avoidance with reduced spacecraft space shuttle, Ares, and future propulsion systems. Jeffrey S. Schreiber of NASA Glenn Research maneuvers, and significantly increasing accuracy of decay Center - Outstanding leadership and technical contributions Melba M. York of the ARES Corporation - Sustained predictions. Paul Kharmats of Tech Trans International - Outstanding in the development of a high-efficiency Stirling space power exceptional contributions and leadership in analyzing complex program knowledge, skill as an international communicator, system, resulting in a major breakthrough in the specific integrated technical and management systems and processes for Robert A. Edmondson of the USAF, 412th Test Wing, Air and dedication to promoting cooperation between the U.S. and power for NASA’s next generation of radioisotope power both space shuttle and space station programs. Force Flight Test Center - More than 50 years of outstanding its International Space Station (ISS) partners; ensuring safe systems. technical leadership contributions to Apollo and Space Shuttle collaborations in space, and enabling NASA to succeed as lead Programs, and to technologies for access to space. integrator for the ISS Program.

Stephen M. Francois of NASA Kennedy Space Center - More Charles R. Knarr of United Space Alliance - Outstanding than 30 years of outstanding technical leadership of NASA’s leadership, dedication, and professionalism, providing 27 years unmanned launch services, guaranteeing access to space for the of technical and organizational achievements and innovative delivery of on-time, on-cost, and on-orbit launch assets. contributions for space shuttle and ISS flight and mission operations. James V. French of the ARES Corporation - Sustained outstanding contributions to aircraft and spacecraft propulsion Fritz Kuck of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - Lifetime systems. achievement for 37 years of exceptional vision, innovation and dedication in liquid rocket engine technology development and William Gleason of the ARES Corporation - Outstanding program leadership on numerous Rocketdyne engine programs. contributions to the nation’s space program by visualizing the future of humanity’s efforts in space, and solving technical Christine E. Landis of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - challenges to turn vision into reality. Exceptional technical expertise and leadership as a the chief software/hardware architect of a laboratory capability for Stanley R. Graves of ATK Launch Systems - Visionary acquisition and processing of data to assess the structural integrity leadership in furthering engineering design excellence and flight of space shuttle main engines, and the upper stage systems for the safety for the Space Shuttle Program. Ares-I and Ares-V vehicles.

Walter W. Guy of NASA Johnson Space Center - Lifetime Paul K. McConnaughey of NASA Marshall Space Flight achievement in human spaceflight through outstanding technical Center - Technical excellence and significant accomplishments and managerial abilities that have ensured the safety and well- that directly contribute to the nation’s future success in space, being of space vehicles and flight crews, both in the past and for including missions to the International Space Station, the moon, years to come. and beyond.

David B. Harris of NASA Johnson Space Center - For Larry B. McWhorter of The Boeing Company - exceptional leadership in propulsion systems testing and facilities Exceptional career of devoted service to NASA management. Johnson Space Center and The Boeing Company, providing engineering leadership in support of human space flight objectives.

26 27 2008 STELLAR AWARD NOMINEES - TEAM Rotary National Award for Space Achievement

Advanced Technology Center Solar Modeling Team of Outstanding team effort in developing a unique jitter-free Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company - Successful approach for greatly improving data integrity and availability correlation of the solar magnetic field model to a complex on GOES-R. data set from the Hinode satellite mission leading to a deeper understanding of methods required for reliable space weather Impact Test Facility Development Team of NASA Marshall forecasts. Space Flight Center (MSFC) - Superior efforts in expanding impact test capabilities to provide NASA/MSFC with the most Ares I-X Roll Control System Team of Pratt & Whitney versatile impact test facility in the county. Rocketdyne - Outstanding innovation and support to the successful design and development of the NASA Ares I-X roll Integrated Solar Array Constraints Working Group control system. of Booz Allen Hamilton - Exceptional support to NASA Mission Control by creating and maintaining a matrix of Cloudsat Project Team of NASA Jet Propulsion tradeoffs between International Space Station (ISS) solar Laboratory - Exceptional achievement by an international power generation capability and associated loads concerns, joint government, university and industry team in conceiving, contamination issues, and operational feasibility for the arrays designing, developing, and launching the CloudSat spacecraft in both normal and contingency operations. 2007 Team Winners (L to R): Joan Higginbotham (presenting), William Thomson for National Space Biomedical Research Institute Edu- that provides unprecedented three-dimensional perspective cation and Outreach team, Sivaram Arepalli for ERC, Inc., Nanotube team, Gary Cooper for The Boeing Company’s ISS Flight Software of Earth’s clouds to answer questions about; how they form; ISS Analyzing Interferometer for Ambient Air team, Gregory Vajdos for The Boeing Company’s ISS Guidance Navigation and Control team, Thomas Duxbury for Jet Propulsion Lab’s evolve; and affect the weather, climate and fresh water supply. Implementation Team of Lockheed Martin Mission Stardust team, James Graf for Jet Propulsion Lab’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter team, James Reilly, II (presenting). (NASA) Services - Successful test, integration and on-orbit execution of External Tank-124 Hail Damage Repair Team of Lockheed the joint /NASA ISS flight experiment Martin Space Systems Company - Outstanding team “Analyzing Interferometer for Ambient Air,” including meeting achievement on the repair of the space shuttle’s external tank a shortened schedule and resolving early on-orbit anomalies to (ET-124) hail damage. permit successful completion of the experiment on the ISS.

External Tank Liquid Hydrogen and Oxygen Protuberance ISS Flight Control Command and Control Release 6 Air Load (PAL) Ramp Removal Team of the Lockheed Software Upgrade Team of NASA Johnson Space Martin Space Systems Company - Outstanding efforts Center - Successful on-orbit uplink of the International Space supporting PAL Ramp elimination and resulting environments Station Command and Control Software Release 6 paving the assessment. way for the addition of the Node 2, Columbus, and Japanese Experiment Module (JEM). Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) Capability Post-Shuttle- Retirement Team of the Hamilton Sundstrand ISS Hardware Software Integration Team of The Boeing Corporation - Successful development and implementation Company - Outstanding dedication, professionalism, and of a plan that allows U.S. EVA capability to continue after the technical excellence in support of ISS on-orbit operations and shuttle retires in 2010 in spite of prior shuttle dependence. upcoming assembly missions, including international partner integration of the European Automated Transfer Vehicle 1, Global Positioning System (GPS) Command and Control Columbus and JEM modules. Transition Team of the United States Air Force - Successful implementation of two new GPS ground control segments; ISS Joint Station Local Area Network Team of The Boeing the Architecture Evolution Plan; and the launch, anomaly Company - Successful design, development, integration, resolution, and disposal operations system that allows testing and on-orbit deployment of the ISS joint station local modernized signal capabilities; and improved command area network that provides a high-speed, low-cost, Ethernet and control while avoiding a gap in GPS launch, anomaly network for both operational and payload use throughout ISS, resolution and disposal capability. including U.S. and international partner modules.

GOES-R Jitter Mitigation and Data Integrity Development continued on page 30 Team of Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company -

28 29 Space Exploration Development Laboratory Team of Station Shuttle Power Transfer System Team of NASA Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company - Outstanding Johnson Space Center - Successful first flight of the 2008 STELLAR AWARD NOMINEES - TEAM (continued) private-public partnership to develop a state-of-the-art station-shuttle power transfer system on STS-118, enabling testing and simulation facility supporting “test like you fly” up to three additional docked days at the International Rotary National Award for Space Achievement development of the Orion vehicle and other Constellation Space Station. space exploration elements taking humans back ISS Russian Computer Anomaly Resolution Team of The Mesoamerican Regional Visualization & Monitoring to the moon and on to Mars. STS-120/10A ISS P6 Solar Array Repair Team of MRI - Boeing Company - Excellent joint team effort to provide System Team of NASA Marshall Space Flight Center - Successful development and implementation of an elegant thorough, disciplined and timely engineering analysis and issue Effective demonstration of the goodwill of the American Space Innovation and Development Center Spectral plan to add structural “cuff links” to the ISS 4B solar array resolution to the ISS Russian segment computer anomaly. people by using NASA Earth observation satellites for Imagery Applications Team of the United States that allowed full array deployment during STS-120. environmental management and disaster response throughout Air Force - Outstanding contribution to the development of ISS Safety & Mission Assurance Probabilistic Risk Analysis the developing world. future space-based hyper-spectral and polarimetric imagery Wideband Global Satellite Communications Space Team of the ARES Corporation - Outstanding efforts in technologies and procedures. Vehicle-1 Launch and Mission Integration Team of the revolutionizing the use of risk data for informed decision-making National Space Biomedical Research Institute Research USAF Wideband Satellite Communications Group - on the International Space Station. Leadership Team of the National Space Biomedical Space Medicine Advanced Projects Team of Wyle - Successful development, launch, and operations of the first Research Institute - Outstanding leadership of an innovative Innovative development of the lightweight trauma module to wideband global satellite, Space Vehicle-1, providing an ISS Solar Array Wing Repair Team of The Boeing national program to develop countermeasures, reduce support healthcare in space and on the battlefield. exponential leap in satellite communications capabilities to Company - Outstanding effort to ensure successful repair and biomedical risks associated with human spaceflight, and U.S. national forces. deployment of the ISS solar array by identifying the root cause enhance health on Earth. Space Test Program, Mission 1 Team of the United States of the torn wing, developing the repair, identifying materials Air Force - Successful development, integration, test, Wing Leading Edge Impact Detection System Team available to build it on-orbit, and testing and verifying the repair- Nondestructive Test Digital X-Ray Team of ATK launch, and operation of Space Test Program, Mission-1, of the Engineering and Science Contract - Exceptional -all within a 48-hour period. Launch Systems - Outstanding achievement in the design, combining six unique research satellites into an integrated dedication, teamwork, and technical excellence in development, and implementation of an efficient digital X-ray payload stack, accomplishing numerous certifying, implementing, improving, and monitoring the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) H-II Transfer system for the inspection of reusable solid rocket motor “firsts,” and paving the way for future low-cost multi- wing leading edge impact detection system. Vehicle (HTV) Team of ARES Corporation - Outstanding components. payload evolved expendable launch vehicle missions. leadership of the NASA effort to integrate the JAXA HTV into the International Space Station, including extensive work with Orbital Orion Program Support Team of the ARES international partners to drive the project toward a historic Corporation - Exceptional and comprehensive support of the launch and berthing. hazard analysis for the Orion Project’s launch abort system.

Joint Functional Component Command for Space Breakup Personal Computer Ground (PCG) Operations Aerospace Analysis Team of the USAF, 1st Space Control Squadron - Language 2 Team of United Space Alliance - Outstanding Outstanding technical analysis while tracking and cataloging the innovation and technical excellence in developing and largest satellite breakup in history--thus directly supporting the deploying PCG2, a state-of-the-art situational awareness tool, protection of more than 400 active satellites in low-Earth orbit, to the Shuttle Firing Room and shuttle engineering desktop including the International Space Station. workstations.

Joint NASA/National Science Foundation/ILC Dover Reusable Solid Rocket Motor Low-Temperature Seal Inflatable Habitat Technology Demonstration Team of Material Team of ATK Launch Systems - Successful NASA Johnson Space Center - Successful design, construction development and qualification for human-rated flight of a low- and deployment of an inflatable structure to investigate and temperature seal material that dramatically extends operational demonstrate concepts and technologies for future habitation in temperature range and has the potential to revolutionize launch harsh environments, including Earth polar regions and other vehicle joint design. planetary surfaces. Six-Person ISS Crew Concept Team of Booz Allen Low-Cost, High-Thrust Monopropellant RCS Engine Hamilton - Outstanding teamwork focused on the operational Development Team of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - concept for the transition of the International Space Station Outstanding multi-company teamwork overcoming technical and from a crew of three to a permanent crew of six. schedule challenges in developing simple, low-cost high-thrust monopropellant engine applicable to the NASA Crew Launch Vehicle Project. continued on next page.

30 31 PREVIOUS NATIONAL SPACE TROPHY WINNERS Rotary National Award for Space Achievement

1987 1988 1989 1990 1999 2000 2001 2002 Dr. Hon. Don Fuqua V. Adm. Richard Truly, Dr. Lew Allen Dr. Christopher Capt. John W. Young, Tommy Holloway Dr. George E. Mueller USN (Ret.) C. Kraft, Jr. USN (Ret.)

1991 1992 1993 1994 2003 2004 2005 2006 Neil A. Armstrong Dr. Aaron Cohen Dr. Norman R. Augustine Lt. Gen. Thomas Stafford, Edward C. “Pete” Roy S. Estess Dr. Glynn S. Lunney Col. Eileen Collins, USAF USAF (Ret.) Aldridge, Jr. (Ret.) enowned space artist Pat Rawlings created the Roriginal art that graces the cover of this year’s program book. Employed by SAIC, Rawlings painted the portrait for the first National Space Trophy winner in 1987, again in 1991, and for every winner since 2001. Rawlings makes scenes as accurate as possible by consulting with space experts, using computer models, topographical maps, and space and fam- ily photos. “Telling stories of space”says the artist “through imagery allows me to explore the connec- tions between extraterrestrial locations, the history of space exploration and the possibilities of tomorrow’s Pat Rawlings technology.” Captain Cernan’s portrait will be on dis- (Photo courtesy of SAIC). 1995 1996 1997 1998 2007 play at for the next year. Daniel Goldin Capt. Robert L. Crippen, George W.S. Abbey President George H.W. Eugene F. “Gene” Kranz USN (Ret.) Bush

32 33 RNASA BOARD OF ADVISORS Rotary National Award for Space Achievement

George W. S. Abbey Hon. Donald Fuqua Saluting Jim Albaugh William H. Gerstenmaier Arnold D. Aldrich Hon. John H. Glenn, Jr. Edward C. “Pete” Aldridge, Jr. Dr. Gerald D. Griffin Dr. Lew Allen Henry W. Hartsfield Years Neil A. Armstrong Jim Hartz Jim Asker J. Milt Heflin INNOVATION · EXPLORATION · DISCOVERY Dr. Norman R. Augustine Cynthia Hendershot Capt. , USN (Ret.) Shepard W. Hill Col. Robert D. Cabana, USMC (Ret.) Tommy W. Holloway Dr. Donald J. Campbell Neil B. Hutchinson Jeffrey E. Carr Hon. Kay Bailey Hutchison Mark E. Carreau Sandra G. Johnson Capt. Eugene Cernan, USN (Ret.) John C. Karas Capt. Michael L. Coats, USN (Ret.) Dr. Joseph P. Kerwin Dr. Aaron Cohen Dr. Christopher C. Kraft, Jr. Col. Eileen M. Collins, USAF (Ret.) Eugene F. Kranz Col. Richard O. Covey, USAF (Ret.) Debbie Kropp Capt. , USN (Ret.) Dr. Glynn S. Lunney Capt. Frank L. Culbertson, Jr., USN (Ret.) Robert T. McCall Robert Dickman Dr. George E. Mueller Ronald D. Dittemore Miles O’Brien Maj. Gen. Joe H. Engle, ANG (Ret.) William W. Parsons Roy S. Estess Thomas B. Pickens, III Elliot G. Pulham William F. Readdy Capt. Kenneth S. Reightler, Jr., USN (Ret.) Hon. Harrison H. Schmitt Col. Brewster H. Shaw, USAF (Ret.) Tom Short Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Stafford, USAF (Ret.) Dr. William A. Staples Richard (Rick) D. Stephens Randy Stone V.Adm. Richard H. Truly, USN (Ret.) Dr. William Vantine S. John Wilkins, III Congratulations to Capt. Eugene Cernan for Capt. John W. Young, USN (Ret.) your contributions and dedication to exploration!

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