2014 Stellar Awards Winners

The 2014 RNASA Stellar Award winners in each of four categories were announced at the banquet on April 11, 2014 at the Houston Hyatt Regency hotel.

The 164 nominations were evaluated by former National Associate Administrator for Space Systems Development, Arnold D. Aldrich, and former National Space Trophy winners, Dr. Glynn S. Lunney and Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.).

A list of all the Stellar Awards nominees was printed in the 2014 program book.

The 2014 Stellar Awards were presented by Astronauts Karen Nyberg, PhD and Douglas G. Hurley.

2014 Early Career Stellar Award Winners


Eight awards were presented in the 2014 Early Career Category.

2014 Early Career Stellar Award Winners
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L to R: Doug Hurley (presenting), Capt. David Hillshafer, Charles Gray, Cary Maunder, Capt. Philip Swenson, Shana Diez, Adam Amar, Kavya Manyapu, Karen Nyberg (presenting), Not pictured: Jerald Webber (NASA photo, 2014)

Kavya Manyapu of Boeing - Exceptional commercial crew spacecraft test planning and flight test article design fidelity.

Adam J. Amar of NASA Johnson Space Center - Outstanding efforts in support of human spacecraft development, and pioneering contributions to the field of multi-physics analytical tool development.

Shana Diez of SpaceX - Outstanding technical expertise and leadership of reusability for the SpaceX Grasshopper and F9R development vehicle programs, representing critical steps toward the goal of building reusable rockets.

Capt. Philip H. Swenson of United States Air Force - Exemplary technical skill producing Atlas V rockets and outstanding leadership in the successful integration, test and launch of National Reconnaissance Office satellites.

Cary Maunder of Orbital Sciences Corporation - Outstanding technical contributions in designing and developing the Generalized Predictor Guidance and Nutation/Precession Control Algorithm for the Minotaur V LADEE mission.

Charles W. Gray of Booz Allen Hamilton - Exceptional innovation and leadership in the ISS program office.

Jerald A. Webber of Boeing - Outstanding achievements in advancing human spaceflight through excellence in leadership of propulsion systems analysis and design.

Capt. David E. Hillshafer of United States Air Force - Exceptional leadership in implementing innovative solutions to provide a new on-demand weather capability for combatant commanders and the space community.

2014 Middle Career Stellar Award Winners


Eight awards were presented in the 2014 Middle Career Category.

2014 Middle Career Stellar Award Winners
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L to R: Karen Nyberg (presenting), Ian Ballinger, David Steffy (for Michael Dorsch), Michael Orlowski, Brian Sproles, James Nicholson, Robert Durkin, Doug Hurley (presenting), Not pictured: Maj. Robert Beal, Robert Douglass (NASA photo, 2014)

Robert J. Durkin of NASA Johnson Space Center - Outstanding leadership of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory during post-Shuttle transition while evolving commercial services in the mission critical, government facility.

James Nicholson of Orbital Sciences Corporation - Outstanding leadership and technical Management as Chief Engineer of Orbital Sciences Cygnus Spacecraft.

Maj. Robert J. Beal of United States Air Force - Intense leadership and drive in the development of the next-generation imaging and space-control technologies, and foundational efforts developing improved processes for national systems.

Brian R. Sproles of Aerojet Rocketdyne - Outstanding leadership to the test operations of human rated rocket propulsion systems for more than twenty seven years.

Robert A. Douglass of United States Air Force - Exceptional leadership of space missions, including expertise that resulted in the successful launch of the NASA Lunar Atmosphere Dust and Exploration Experiment and the Operationally Responsive Space Office Space Test Program-3 satellite.

Michael R. Orlowski of Orbital Sciences Corporation - Outstanding leadership as the Mission Operations Director of the Orbital COTS Cygnus -D1 Demonstration Mission and follow-on Commercial Re-Supply Services Missions.

Michael S. Dorsch of Orbital Sciences Corporation - Outstanding technical leadership of the development of the new Antares Medium Class Launch Vehicle that resulted in a fully successful first flight to orbit on April 21st, 2013.

Ian A. Ballinger of Keystone Engineering Company - Pioneering industry engineering leadership in the field of spacecraft propellant tanks and composite overwrapped pressure vessels.

2014 Late Career Stellar Award Winners


Nine awards were presented in the 2014 Late Career Category.

2014 Late Career Stellar Award Winners
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L to R: Doug Hurley (presenting), Tom Mulder, Ross Hewitt, Lucy Kranz, Maj. Gen. W. Neil McCasland, Keith Davies, Ty Dalton, Scott Vogt, Dr. David King, Karen Nyberg (presenting), Not Pictured: Thomas Freeman (NASA photo, 2014)

Scott T. Vogt of Aerojet Rocketdyne - Outstanding leadership in the development, production, and flight of critical manned flight systems spanning a successful career of over 35 years.

Thomas H. Freeman of United States Air Force - Exceptional leadership of space missions, including expertise that resulted in the successful launch of the NASA Lunar Atmosphere Dust and Exploration Experiment and the Operationally Responsive Space Office Space Test Program-3 satellite.

Ty Dalton of ATK - Innovation in composite and metallic structures for human spaceflight and unmanned space vehicles.

Keith Davies of Orbital Sciences Corporation - Outstanding leadership and technical management as Lead Cygnus Vehicle Manager.

Lucy V. Kranz of NASA Johnson Space Center - Outstanding leadership and expertise in the programmatic control of large Human Spaceflight Programs and personal dedication to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's mission.

Ross A. Hewitt of Aerojet Rocketdyne - Outstanding leadership in the development, production, and flight of critical rocket propulsion systems spanning 50 years.

Maj. Gen. William N. McCasland of United States Air Force - Pioneering space solutions for the warfighter and the Nation by developing new technologies, acquiring and operating the latest space systems, and influencing national space policy for over 30 years.

Tom A. Mulder of Boeing - Outstanding contributions to Boeing's Commercial Crew Transportation System development.

Dr. David Q. King of Aerojet Rocketdyne - Outstanding technical leadership in the advancement of electrical propulsion for thirty-seven years.

2014 Team Stellar Award Winners


Ten awards were presented in the 2014 Team Category.

2014 Team Stellar Award Winners
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L to R: Karen Nyberg (presenting), Ed Monteiro-Knight (ISS Intg. Comm, Boeing), Eric Pearce (Space Surveillance Telescope, DARPA), Liang Shen (ISS Primary Structure Life Extension Team, Boeing), Justin Jackson (Composite Cryotank Tech Demo, NASA GRC), Louis Breger (Cygnus Guidance, Navigation & Targeting Team, Draper), Michael Laidley (Antares Launch Vehicle, Orbital), Todd May (Space Launch System Team, NASA MSFC), William Hollister (Contingency EVA Team, UTC), Frank DeMauro (Cygnus Development Team, Orbital), Robert Hellekson (James Webb Space Telescope, ATK), Doug Hurley (presenting) (NASA photo, 2014)

Contingency EVA Team of UTC Aerospace Systems - Outstanding achievement in preparation for and execution of a contingency EVA to eliminate an ammonia leak that jeopardized the ISS.

Cygnus Development Team of Orbital Sciences Corporation - Successful development and launch of a new safe, reliable, and affordable commercial space transportation system, enabling future growth of our Nation's space program.

Space Launch System (SLS) Team of NASA Marshall Space Flight Center - Exceptional technical and programmatic excellence in the design, development, and maturation of the Space Launch System, this nation's next great heavy lift launch vehicle.

Cygnus Guidance, Navigation & Targeting Team of Draper Laboratory - Outstanding technical excellence and innovative, first time accomplishments in guidance, navigation, and targeting software for the COTS Cygnus vehicle.

International Space Station Primary Structure Life Extension Team of Boeing - Superior team work, dedication, and technical proficiency demonstrated in successfully extending the International Space Station primary structure life through 2020.

Space Surveillance Telescope (SST) Team of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency - Outstanding technical excellence in the development and demonstration of a ground-based telescope to address gaps in observational coverage that hamper space situational awareness in operational space.

ISS Integrated Comm Unit (ICU) Development Team of Boeing - Forward-thinking and leadership in the development of the integrated communication unit, providing ISS expanded science data bandwidth and a flexible architecture for the future.

Composite Cryotank Technology Demonstration (CCTD) Team of NASA Glenn Research Center - Outstanding technical excellence in development and demonstration of low cost, lightweight composite cryogenic propellant tanks for future heavy lift vehicles and other in-space applications.

Antares Launch Vehicle Program of Orbital Sciences Corporation - Successful development of the new Antares Medium Class Launch Vehicle that resulted in a fully successful first flight to orbit on April 21st, 2013.

James Webb Space Telescope Engineering/Manufacturing Team of ATK - Successful completion of the state-of-the-art thermally stable JWST primary mirror support structure, a significant milestone for the NASA Flagship mission.

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