2013 PRESS/PHOTO INFORMATION
Press Release
RNASA donating $28,815 to NASA Aerospace Scholars
Rotary National Award for Space Achievement
August 22, 2013
MEDIA CONTACT: Pat Patton, 281-701-2930, patpatton@rnasa.org
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RNASA Foundation President Rodolfo González (left), Stacey Welch - Education Specialist from Texas A&M, (center) and RNASA Foundation Treasurer Geoff Atwater (right) presenting a check to Stacey Welch
(Mary Alys Cherry, 2013)
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Dr. Christopher C. Kraft, Jr. (left) and RNASA Foundation President Rodolfo González (right)
(Pat Patton, 2013)
Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Foundation President Rodolfo González said, "The RNASA Foundation is so grateful to our very generous corporate sponsors who accomplish so much in our nation's space programs. It is very fitting that the proceeds yielded from the 2013 Space Gala be invested in our future engineers and leaders."
The RNASA Foundation hosts a gala awards celebration each year to honor individuals and teams for their accomplishments in aerospace. The RNASA Foundation presented its top award, the National Space Trophy, to former Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison on April 26, 2013, at the Houston Hyatt Regency.
González told the RNASA Foundation directors and guests that the $28,815 donation made to the NASA Texas Aerospace Scholars program consists of a $10,000 donation in Senator Hutchison's name, a $12,000 donation directly from the RNASA Foundation, and a $6,815 donation that was provided earlier for the sake of polo shirts for the participants of the 2013 summer program. NASA Aerospace Scholars is implemented through a cooperative agreement between Texas A&M University/Oklahoma State University and The Johnson Space Center.
González made the presentation to Stacey Welch, Education Specialist from Texas A&M, who gratefully accepted the donation on behalf of the NASA Texas Aerospace Scholars Program.
Welch shared the impact of the program by quoting a student, saying, "By participating with the High School Aerospace Scholars Program (HAS) my knowledge and interests have been expanded. The impact that the High School Aerospace Scholars Program has left me with will be long lasting and forever in the favor of my academic career. This program has really helped me decide what I want my career to be in, and it fueled my interest towards engineering. It taught me how to communicate effectively and productively within the team. I know my future will be impacted because of the people here."
The Texas Aerospace Scholars consists of Texas middle-school, high school programs and community college and internships; Women in STEM High School Aerospace Scholars (WISH), a nationwide program; and The National Community College Aerospace Scholars.
A highlight of the evening was the attendance of Dr. Christopher C. Kraft, Jr., a previous National Space Trophy winner. During the Apollo program Dr. Kraft became the Director of Flight Operations responsible for the overall manned space flight planning, training, and execution. His leadership in this arena continued through Apollo 12 in 1969, at which time he became Deputy Director of what is now the Johnson Space Center.
Dr. Kraft served as the Center Director from January of 1972 until his retirement in 1982, playing a vital role in the success of the final Apollo missions: the first manned space station, Skylab, the first international space docking during the 1975 Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, and the first Space Shuttle flights.
The RNASA Foundation's 28th annual gala will be held at the Houston Hyatt Regency on April 11, 2014. For information on sponsorship opportunities and photos from previous events, please visit www.rnasa.org.
About RNASA: The Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation was founded by the Space Center Rotary Club of Houston, Texas in 1985 to organize and coordinate an annual event to recognize outstanding achievements in space and create greater public awareness of the benefits of space exploration. The RNASA Foundation has presented the National Space Trophy to outstanding Americans who have made major contributions to our nation's space program since 1987. This year marked the RNASA Foundation's 27th anniversary.
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Press Release
RNASA Foundation Honors Senator Hutchison
Rotary National Award for Space Achievement
April 29, 2013
MEDIA CONTACT: Marianne Dyson [retired June 2013] Please see contacts for current media coordinator.
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Presenter Cernan, NST Winner Hutchison, Nominator Lockheed Martin VP Joanne Maguire
(NASA photo, 2013)
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L to R: Space Communicator Winner McGregor, Presenter O'Brien
(NASA photo, 2013)
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L to R: Congressman Olson, Mayor Parker, NST Winner Hutchison, NASA Admin. Bolden
(NASA photo, 2013)
After a reception featuring pianist Victoria Reva-Dorsch, the colors were presented by an all-female color guard from Clear Springs High School Army JROTC. The cadets were: Eryn Behne, Amber Carter, Karina Rubio, and Deanna McFeron,. The national anthem singer was Avery Pate Weigand.
Houston Mayor Annise Parker welcomed the 800 guests to the event. She noted that "many who live and work in Houston contribute to our ongoing dream of space." She said that "no one could have advocated better for the Houston region" than Senator Hutchison, and she thanked her for serving "with honor, distinction, courage, and tenacity."
RNASA Chairman Rodolfo González recognized previous Trophy winners Lt. Gen. Tom Stafford, Tommy Holloway, Dr. Glynn Lunney, Col. Eileen Collins, Gene Kranz, Capt. Eugene Cernan, Dr. Mike Griffin, the Board of Advisors and other attendees including: NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden, Congressman Pete Olson, and Rotary District 5890 Governor and Governor Elect, Chris Schneider and Bob Gebhard. Dr. David Fannin, pastor of Nassau Bay Baptist Church, blessed the meal.
The program kicked off with a year-in-review film by Space City Films that Emcee Elliot Pulham, CEO of the Space Foundation, noted reminded us "of all the many wonderful, marvelous things that people in this industry are doing." Some highlights included the first SpaceX cargo launches to the space station, the delivery of the space shuttles to museums, and Curiosity's landing on Mars.
RNASA Advisor and PBS NewsHour Science Correspondent Miles O'Brien presented the Space Communicator Award to Veronica McGregor. Calling her "fearless," he told of how she became a legend at CNN by continuing coverage of the LA riots despite an attack by thugs. She later joined the staff at JPL. Her decision to tweet the landing of Phoenix on Mars in first person in 2008 "started NASA down a whole new path of communicating with the public directly." She is now the "voice" of the Curiosity rover.
McGregor told how seeing Saturn through a telescope during a camping trip made her "jump back and gasp." She said that giving others a moment that makes them gasp, "has been my driving force ever since." Her most popular "Curiosity" tweet was one telling people to go out and see Mars next to the crescent Moon. When a man tweeted back, "I see it! I see it!" she knew she'd done for him what the astronomer had done for her. She said social media allows NASA to connect with many more people that way.
NASA Astronauts Capt. Michael J. Foreman, USN (Ret.), and Nicole P. Stott then announced the Stellar Award winners (see http://www.rnasa.org/stellar/stellarwinners2013.html) and presented them with trophies donated by ATK.
Space Station Expedition 35 crewmembers Tom Marshburn and Chris Cassidy bestowed Hutchison with the title of Honorary Rocket Scientist via downlink from space. "Through your many years of service on science committees and numerous visits to NASA facilities, you've mastered the jargon and solved legislative equations that baffle even the best of us: making you more than qualified."
Capt. Eugene Cernan, USN (Ret.) presented the National Space Trophy to Hutchison. Calling the space program "what the future is all about," he praised Hutchison for her dedication to "education, science, and technology," and for being "bold and visionary" in her promotion of the space program.
Hutchison said that during her work on the NASA budget, "we wanted to assure that we wouldn't give up the future for the present. We wanted to assure full funding for NASA and ... be ready to go beyond low Earth orbit." She stressed that, "America was built on bigness and boldness and greatness. ... We are going to achieve things we haven't even thought of today because we will never take second place."
Lt. Gen. Thomas Stafford, USAF (Ret.) presented Hutchison with a ladies OMEGA Seamaster watch donated by the company, with diamonds and mother-of pearl. Though it is water resistant to 100 feet, Stafford advised against using it for diving because "with all the sparklies on it, it does attract barracudas." She joked that she'd been facing those in Washington for 19 years! She added that it was great to be retired because instead of being an unpopular member of Congress, she is now just a lawyer.
Eagle Applied Sciences donated the portrait of Hutchison by Pat Rawlings which was on display at the gala and used as the cover of the souvenir program. The painting will become part of the National Space Trophy display at Space Center Houston until after next year's event.
RNASA Chairman Rodolfo González concluded the evening by thanking the Foundation's 32 corporate sponsors whose support and achievements made the event possible: the Aerospace Corp., ARES Corp., ATK, Ball Aerospace & Tech. Corp., Barrios Technology, Bastion Technologies, the Boeing Co., Booz Allen Hamilton, Cimarron, DB Consulting, Eagle Applied Sciences, ERC, Fisher Space Pen Co., GeoControl Systems, Honeywell Aerospace, Jacobs, Keystone Engineering Co., L-3 STRATIS, Lockheed Martin, ManTech Intl., MEI Technologies, Oceaneering Intl., OMEGA Watches, Orbital Sciences Corp., Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, SAIC, SpaceX, SGT, United Space Alliance, UH-CL, UTC Aerospace Systems, and Wyle. Any proceeds remaining after the event will be donated to an organization involved in aerospace education.
About RNASA: The Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation was founded by the Space Center Rotary Club of Houston, Texas in 1985 to organize and coordinate an annual event to recognize outstanding achievements in space and create greater public awareness of the benefits of space exploration. The National Space Trophy and other awards are presented at a gala on the last Friday in April. See http://www.rnasa.org for more.
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Press Release
2013 RNASA Stellar Award Winners Announced
Rotary National Award for Space Achievement
April 26, 2013
MEDIA CONTACT: Marianne Dyson [retired June 2013] Please see contacts for current media coordinator.
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Early Career Stellar Award recipients. L to R: Foreman (presenting), Gill, Johannes, Grant, Vareha, Megivern, Stott (presenting). (NASA photo, 2013)
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Middle Career Stellar Award recipients. L to R: Stott (presenting), Garcia, Dodd, Feng, Keilich, Engle, Foreman (presenting). Not pictured: Curran, Lane, and Lundquist. (NASA photo, 2013)
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Late Career Stellar Award recipients. L to R: Foreman (presenting), Halchak, Levy, Shinguchi, Seaback, Christensen, Nygren, Stott (presenting). Bragodo not pictured. (NASA photo, 2013)
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Team Stellar Award recipients. L to R: Stott (presenting), Evans (JSC), Pierce (Boeing), Sannes (Lockheed Martin MPCV), Cerimele (JSC Webb), Sauvageau (SAIC), Witeson (ATK), Hinde (Lockheed Martin Orion), Foreman (presenting). (NASA photo, 2013)
Out of 135 nominations received, the Panel selected 23 individuals and seven teams for recognition.
Prior to the evening's festivities, all nominees were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of Johnson Space Center and a luncheon at the Clear Lake Hilton. Stellar Awards Committee Chairman Jennifer Devolites welcomed the nominees, and said, "You're here because you are excellent."
RNASA Foundation Chairman Rodolfo González then told them that the RNASA Foundation's purpose is to "encourage, recognize, honor, and celebrate U.S. space achievements. We're here to honor you."
He introduced Space Center Rotary Club President Marilyn Musial who noted there are 1.2 million Rotarians, and "Wherever you go in the world, there's a Rotary Club to welcome you." She said the local club has donated more than $100,000 to charity in the past year, and praised Rotary International's success at eliminating polio. "There were only 19 cases so far in 2013," she said, to loud applause.
RNASA Committee NASA Liaison Duane Ross then introduced former NASA astronaut and current AIAA Executive Director Sandra Magnus, PhD, calling her simply "awesome." Magnus flew on ISS assembly mission STS-112 in 2002; returned to the ISS on STS-126 to serve as flight engineer on Expedition 18 from November 2008 until returning on STS-119 in March 2009. She flew on the final Space Shuttle flight, STS-135, in July 2011.
Magnus shared how being in space increased her appreciation for our planet. "Earth is our spaceship," she said. "We really have to take care of it." On a lighter note, she said, "Gravity is horrible! I can't believe we can get anything done on this planet." But, she added, "Humans are extremely adaptable. After three days in space, I felt like I'd been there forever." Still, she had to retrain herself to jump when she came back. "Use it or lose it is not just a saying." She urged the nominees to keep active, embrace the unknown, and "spend time doing what you love."
Each nominee received a Fisher Space Pen donated by the company and had their photo taken as they received a special commemorative certificate with an American flag that flew on STS-108 in December of 2001. The winners were announced at the evening gala by Astronauts Capt. Michael J. Foreman, USN (Ret.) and Nicole P. Stott, who then presented them with trophies donated by ATK. The winners in each of four categories are:
2013 Stellar Award Winners in the Early Career Category
Major Joseph G. Clemmer of U. S. Air Force - Exceptional early career contributions supporting United States' involvement in space as intercontinental ballistic missile combat crewmember, Global Positioning System mission commander, instructor, evaluator, flight commander, and operational tester culminating as assistant operations officer at the 17th Test Squadron at Schriever Air Force Base (AFB).
Mr. Ryan T. Gill of Boeing - Exceptional hardware delivery record, daily project management mentor, and lessons learned/tool improvement advocate.
Ms. Mary Ann Grant of UTC Aerospace Systems - Exceptional leadership in implementing innovative designs to make the extravehicular mobility unit functional on the ISS well beyond the retirement of the Space Shuttle.
Dr. Lucie B. Johannes of NASA Johnson Space Center - Exceptional metallurgical engineering leadership, contributions to Agency programs and projects and advancements in state-of-the-art welding.
Mr. Aaron S. Leichner of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - Technical excellence and exceptional leadership in advancing small liquid rocket engines.
Dr. William M. Marshall of NASA Glenn Research Center - Exceptional leadership and technical expertise in rocket combustion research and testing that has enhanced numerous NASA programs and significantly aided the technical community.
Mr. Jeffrey M. Megivern of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - Outstanding support to the development and testing of the J-2X upper stage engine.
Mr. Anthony N. Vareha of United Space Alliance - Exceptional contributions leading every major failure resolution effort for the International Space Station electrical power system.
2013 Stellar Award Winners in the Mid Career Category
Mr. John C. Curran of Boeing - Outstanding contributions to innovative and safe structural designs for the space industry.
Mr. Frederick E. Dodd of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - Exceptional technical excellence and leadership towards the advancement of liquid rocket engine combustion devices.
Mr. James M. Engle of Boeing - Outstanding leadership in the design, development, test, and delivery of a critical component of the international docking adapter (IDA) and the Energia IDA primary structure.
Mr. Ven C. Feng of NASA Johnson Space Center - Exemplary performance, outstanding leadership, and creation of a model of teamwork, mutual respect, and collaborative solution-finding for the ISS and future international spaceflight endeavors.
Mr. Sammy Garcia of Jacobs - Exceptional project management and systems engineering contributions to space simulation and testing during the design, installation, and commissioning of the JSC Chamber A high-vacuum and liquid nitrogen thermo-siphon systems supporting chamber upgrades.
Ms. Maria C. Keilich of UTC Aerospace Systems - Exceptional technical and skills leadership in systems engineering to support the development of the ISS life support system water processor, oxygen generator system, and Sabatier system.
Ms. Lisa M. Lane of Boeing - Exemplary performance in launch vehicle development through sustained structural analysis excellence.
Mr. Charles M. Lundquist of NASA Johnson Space Center - Extraordinary leadership and personal dedication in the development of the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) Program Office.
2013 Stellar Award Winners in the Late Career Category
Mr. Steven W. Bragado of U. S. Air Force - Exceptional career contributions supporting United States involvement in space as Systems Threat Assessment analyst, Missile Warning operator, Space Satellite operator, crucial roles for MILSATCOM, GPS, and the Space Battlelab culminating as technical director.
Mr. John R. Christensen of Boeing - Outstanding achievements in advancing human spaceflight through excellence in leadership of mechanical systems design.
Mr. John A. Halchak of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - Dedicated service to spaceflight for 51 years as an industry resource in materials applications, engineering, and processes.
Mr. Robert K. Levy of Boeing - Recognized technical expertise and knowledge of the International Space Station electrical power system architecture and system safety.
Mr. Richard Nygren of SGT - Exemplary leadership and contributions to human spaceflight programs spanning from Apollo to the Constellation Program.
Mr. Charles Seaback of UTC Aerospace Systems - Distinguished career in space life support spanning Shuttle, ISS, and Orion, including extensive systems engineering and project management knowledge that has driven program successes.
Mr. Brian H. Shinguchi of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - Outstanding leadership in the development, production, and flight of critical rocket propulsion systems spanning a successful career of over 35 years.
2013 Stellar Award Winners in the Team Awards Category
ATK Value Stream Mapping Improvement Team - Innovative application of lean management principles to dramatically improve affordability of space transportation hardware and services. Fred Witesman accepted for the team.
Boeing Software Toolkit for Ethernet Lab-Like Architecture Team - Innovative software application making space station payload integration easier, simpler, more familiar, and less costly. Kevin Pierce accepted for the team.
Lockheed Martin Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle Integration Test Lab Team - Outstanding efforts to plan, design, develop, assemble, integrate and execute the initial testing of the integrated avionics and software for the Exploration Flight Test 1 mission. Paul Sannes accepted for the team.
Lockheed Martin Orion Heatshield Team - Exempary contributions to the development of the heatshield for the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle. Brian Hinde accepted for the team.
NASA Johnson Space Center Capsule Parachute Assembly System (CPAS) Test Team - Exemplary contributions to the design, analysis, integration, safety evaluation, and implementation of the full scale CPAS airdrop test capabilities. Carol Evans accepted for the team.
NASA Johnson Space Center James Webb Space Telescope Chamber A Modification Team - Exceptional accomplishments in the modification of JSC's Chamber A to provide deep space environmental testing of the James Webb Space Telescope. Mary Cerimele accepted for the team.
SAIC Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload Third Generation Infrared System Team - Successfully designing, building and flying in space the first wide field of view overhead persistent infraRed sensor, on the first commercially hosted DoD mission. Joseph Sauvageau accepted for the team.
Visit http://www.rnasa.org/photos for images from the event. Individual photos of each nominee and winner are available upon request.
About the RNASA Foundation: The Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation was founded by the Space Center Rotary Club of Houston, Texas in 1985 to organize and coordinate an annual event to recognize outstanding achievements in space and create greater public awareness of the benefits of space exploration. The National Space Trophy and other awards are presented at a gala on the last Friday in April.
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Press Release
Rotary Gala Features Unsung Heroes of Space
Rotary National Award for Space Achievement
March 20, 2013
MEDIA CONTACT: Marianne Dyson [retired June 2013] Please see contacts for current media coordinator.
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Master of Ceremonies
Elliot Pulham
(Space Foundation)
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Stellar Award Luncheon Speaker
Sandra Magnus
(NASA photo, 2011)
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Stellar Award Presenter
Michael Foreman
(NASA photo, 2009)
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Stellar Award Presenter
Nicole Stott
(NASA photo, 2009)
To publically recognize these "unsung heroes" of the space program alongside the more well-known achievers, the Rotary National Awards for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation was formed by the Space Center Rotary Club back in 1985. This year, the Foundation will present its top award, the National Space Trophy (NST), to former Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. They will also present a Space Communicator Award to NASA Jet Propulsion Lab's News and Social Media Manager, Veronica McGregor (one of the "voices" of Mars Curiosity); and Stellar Awards to individuals and teams at the gala on Friday, April 26, at the Houston Hyatt Regency.
The RNASA Foundation's Board of Advisors selects the NST honoree each year and represents a who's who of government and corporate aerospace leaders, including former Trophy and Space Communicator Award recipients. Four RNASA advisors are part of this year's program: The Space Foundation's Chief Executive Officer Elliot Pulham will serve as the Master of Ceremonies; PBS NewsHour Science Correspondent Miles O'Brien will present the Space Communicator Award to McGregor; Gemini/Apollo Astronaut Capt. Eugene Cernan, USN (Ret.), will present the National Space Trophy to Hutchison, and Gemini/Apollo Astronaut Lt. Gen. Thomas Stafford, USAF (Ret.), will present an OMEGA watch to Hutchison.
Four other RNASA advisors, three of whom were former NST recipients, are serving on the Stellar Awards Evaluation Panel that selects the winners from nominations received from industry and government based on whose accomplishments hold the greatest promise for furthering activities in space and the extent to which the nominee meets the goal of recognizing "unsung heroes." The 2013 judges are Apollo Flight Directors Dr. Christopher Kraft Jr. and Dr. Glynn S. Lunney; Apollo and Shuttle Manager Arnold D. Aldrich; and new this year, former astronaut and Commander of U.S. Strategic Command, General Kevin Chilton, USAF (Ret.).
RNASA Chairman Rodolfo González said, "We received 35 government and 100 corporate nominations for awards this year." The nominations came from ARES, ATK, Barrios, Bastion Technologies, Boeing, Booz Allen Hamilton, DB Consulting, ERC, Jacobs, L-3 STRATIS, Lockheed Martin, MEI Technologies, NASA Glenn Research Center, NASA Johnson Space Center, NASA Kennedy Space Center, NASA Langley Research Center, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Oceaneering, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, SAIC, SGT, United Space Alliance, United States Air Force, United States Air Force Research Laboratory, and United Technologies Aerospace Systems. Please see http://rnasa.org/stellarnoms.html for a list of individual and team names by affiliation.
The Stellar Award nominees and team representatives will enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of Johnson Space Center and a luncheon presentation by former NASA astronaut and current AIAA Executive Director Sandra Magnus, PhD, at the Clear Lake Hilton on April 26. Magnus flew on ISS assembly mission STS-112 in 2002; returned to the ISS on STS-126 to serve as flight engineer on ISS Expedition 18 from November 2008 until returning on STS-119 in March 2009. She was one of only four crewmembers on the final Space Shuttle flight, STS-135, in July 2011.
Stellar Awards Committee Chairman Jennifer Devolites, RNASA Foundation Chairman Rodolfo González, RNASA Committee NASA Liaison Duane Ross, and Space Center Rotary Club President Marilyn Musial will also address the nominees at the Stellar Awards luncheon. All nominees will be presented with framed certificates and attend the evening gala where the winners are announced.
The Stellar Award winners will receive engraved marble trophies generously sponsored by ATK. The trophies will be presented by NASA Astronauts Capt. Michael J. Foreman, USN (Ret.), and Nicole P. Stott.
Foreman, a veteran of five spacewalks, flew on STS-123 in March 2008 and STS-129 in November 2009. He's currently assigned to the Exploration Branch of the Astronaut Office, working on the Commercial Crew Development Program.
Stott flew to the International Space Station (ISS) on STS-128 in August 2009 and served as a member of the Expeditions 20 and 21 crews before returning on STS-129 in November of that year. She also flew on STS-133 in 2011, the last flight of Space Shuttle Discovery.
The reception begins at 6 p.m. with music by pianist Victoria Reva-Dorsch. The welcome by Houston Mayor Annise Parker is at 7 p.m., followed by presentation of the colors by an all-female color guard from Clear Springs High School Army JROTC. The cadets are: Eryn Behne, Amber Carter, Erial Marshall, and Deanna McFeron. The national anthem singer is Avery Pate Weigand. Dr. David Fannin, pastor of Nassau Bay Baptist Church, will do the invocation. After dinner, the awards ceremony will kick off with a multimedia show summarizing the year's space events produced by Space City Films.
The black-tie gala is open to the public. Individual tickets are $300, and corporate tables range from $2,000 to $5,000. To make reservations, visit http://www.rnasa.org or contact RNASA Vice Chairman Bill Taylor at 281-488-2733 by March 29.
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News Release
Eugene Cernan to present National Space Trophy to Senator Hutchison
Rotary National Award for Space Achievement
February 26, 2013
MEDIA CONTACT: Marianne Dyson [retired June 2013] Please see contacts for current media coordinator.
"Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison is certainly one of the most deserving of those who have ever received the Rotary National Space Trophy," Cernan said. He was honored with the award in 2008 and now serves on the RNASA Foundation's Board of Advisors. "Throughout her career in the U.S. Senate, she has been a devoted and passionate supporter of our nation's space program."
Hutchison was nominated by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company Executive Vice President Joanne Maguire as a "long standing champion of NASA nd DoD space programs," citing her advocacy of the three-year 2010 NASA Authorization Act, the International Space Station Program, the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle, the Space Launch System, and commercial space transportation.
Cernan added, "Senator Hutchison continues to be a strong advocate, in hopes of America regaining our preeminence in the world, thus inspiring the dreamers of tomorrow. I am sincerely honored to have the opportunity to introduce a dear friend, one whom I admire and respect, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, at the 2013 Rotary National Award for Space Achievement."
Cernan was born in Chicago, Illinois, and will be 79 this March. He earned a BS in electrical engineering from Purdue in 1956 and a MS in aeronautical engineering in 1963 from the U. S. Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California. Cernan was one of fourteen astronauts selected by NASA in 1963. As the pilot of Gemini 9 in 1966, Cernan became the second American to walk in space. He was lunar module pilot of Apollo 10 that came within eight miles of the lunar surface in May 1969. In December 1972, he commanded Apollo 17ัthe last mission to the Moon in the 20th century. Cernan left the Navy and NASA in 1976 and served as Executive Vice President, International, and Director of Coral Petroleum until 1981. His autobiography, The Last Man on the Moon, was published in 1999. Cernan resides with his wife Jan Nanna Cernan in Houston, Texas. They have three daughters and nine grandchildren.
The RNASA event will also honor Veronica McGregor, manager of news and social media at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, with a Space Communicator Award. RNASA Advisor, former Space Communicator Award recipient, and PBS NewsHour Science Correspondent, Miles O'Brien, will present the award to McGregor.
The Foundation is also pleased to announce that Houston Mayor Annise Parker will welcome attendees to the black-tie event. Chief Executive Officer of the Space Foundation, RNASA Advisor, and former Space Communicator Award winner, Elliot Pulham, will serve as emcee.
Pianist Victoria Reva-Dorsch will perform during the reception. Dr. David Fannin, Pastor, Nassau Bay Baptist Church, will perform the invocation. The Colors will be presented by an all-female Color Guard from Clear Springs High School JROTC. The cadets are: Eryn Behne, Amber Carter, Erial Marshall, and Deanna McFeron.
Nominations for Stellar Awards are currently being reviewed by a Stellar Awards Evaluation Panel consisting of Dr. Christopher C. Kraft Jr., Dr. Glynn S. Lunney, Arnold D. Aldrich, and new this year, Gen. Kevin Chilton, USAF (Ret.). Winners in four categories will be announced at the event.
Following the award presentations, Cernan's Apollo 10 Commander, Lt. Gen. Thomas Stafford, USAF (Ret.) will present an OMEGA watch to Senator Hutchison.
RNASA Foundation Chairman Rodolfo González said, "We're very thankful for the participation of so many outstanding individuals in our program, as well as the volunteers from the Space Center Rotary Club and the continued support of our corporate sponsors who all play a critical role in honoring U.S. space achievements."
Eagle Engineering is sponsoring space artist Pat Rawlings to paint the National Space Trophy winner's portrait which will be displayed at Space Center Houston and appear on the cover of the souvenir program. Companies interested in sponsoring tables or individuals interested in tickets should contact RNASA Vice Chairman Bill Taylor at sales@rnasa.org. The deadline for reserving space in the souvenir program is March 8, and the deadline for reserving tables or tickets is March 29, 2013.
More information, a longer biography of Capt. Cernan, photos, and updates to the agenda for the gala, please visit the RNASA website: http://www.rnasa.org.
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Press Release
Veronica McGregor to receive Space Communicator Award
Rotary National Award for Space Achievement
February 12, 2013
Media Contact: Lindsey Cousins, 281-480-2486, lindsey@rnasa.org
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Space Communicator Award Winner
Veronica McGregor
(Photo provided by Veronica McGregor)
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Space Communicator Award Presenter
Miles O'Brien
(NASA photo, 2011)
McGregor is the Manager of News and Social Media at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. As such, she leads all major media campaigns for missions including the Mars Exploration Rover landings, Deep Impact mission to a comet, Cassini mission at Saturn, Mars Curiosity Rover landing, and many others.
RNASA Advisor Miles O'Brien said, "It is not an understatement to say she has led NASA into the age of social media. She is not a household name, but she has made the names "Phoenix" and "Curiosity" familiar to millions of people. By finding novel ways to share the passion, excitement and personalities behind these bold missions, she is bringing many more fans into our space tent."
"I'm humbled to receive this honor from RNASA and join the group of previous recipients who have done so much to communicate the excitement of space exploration to the public," McGregor told RNASA.
Using social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, You Tube and Ustream.tv, McGregor has been responsible for delivering NASA content to wider audiences than ever before. In 2008, she created @MarsPhoenix on Twitter which became the 5th most followed account during that summer. In 2009, she created NASA's first "tweetup" at JPL which has been replicated into 50 similar events now dubbed "NASA Socials." The events are held across the country to bring the public "behind the scenes" to witness a NASA mission or launch. Again in 2009, McGregor created NASA's first Ustream.tv channel that enables viewers to ask questions directly to mission scientists and engineers during live streaming events. In 2010, she implemented "Curiosity Cam," a live streaming webcam that broadcast the construction of the Mars rover inside the JPL Spacecraft Assembly Facility. The live stream brought in 4.5 million views between October 2010 and June 2011.
Curiosity Cam continued to broadcast all events related to the mission, including launch, landing, and press conferences. Over three million unique viewers watched Curiosity landing commentary live on Ustream in August 2012. "The elation of landing wasn't confined to our mission control," McGregor said. "By streaming live to social media platforms, people worldwide were watching the landing online, chatting about it with each other, and sharing their excitement with friends and followers."
From 1986 to 2001, McGregor worked for CNN covering major stories such as the Pathfinder mission landing on Mars and the Mars Polar Lander. Other high profile stories included the San Francisco earthquake, the Rodney King trial, OJ Simpson trial and the 2000 presidential election Florida recount.
McGregor is the recipient of numerous awards including JPL's Explorer Award for Strategic Leadership in 2008. She went on to receive the NASA Honor Award for Social Media Development and the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal in 2010. Again in 2010, Forbes.com listed her as one of the "20 Inspiring Women to Follow on Twitter."
McGregor holds a B.A. in communication studies from the University of California, Los Angeles.
The RNASA Space Communicator Award was created in 1997 in honor of KTRK, Houston Channel 13 space reporter and long-time RNASA Advisor Stephen Gauvain who was tragically killed in a car accident in 1996. The Award is presented to an individual or team that makes exceptional contributions to public understanding and appreciation of space exploration. Previous recipients include: William Harwood of CBS; Miles O'Brien, formerly of CNN; Elliot Pulham of the Space Foundation; the NASA-Contractor Communications team that responded to the Columbia accident; and Mark Carreau, formerly of the Houston Chronicle; and Neil deGrasse Tyson of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
Ms. McGregor will receive her award at the RNASA annual black-tie gala to be held on Friday, April 26, 2013, at the Hyatt Regency Houston. Former United States Senator, Kay Bailey Hutchison, will receive the National Space Trophy at this event. Elliot Pulham will serve as Master of Ceremonies. PBS NewsHour Science Correspondent Miles O'Brien will present the Communicator Award to McGregor.
More information about the RNASA Foundation and the April 26th program is available on the website: http://www.rnasa.org. Corporate tickets can be obtained by contacting Bill Taylor at sales@rnasa.org.
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Press Release
Kay Bailey Hutchison to Receive National Space Trophy
Rotary National Award for Space Achievement
January 23, 2013
Media Contact: Lindsey Cousins, 281-480-2486, Lindsey@baysidegraphics.net
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National Space Trophy Winner
Kay Bailey Hutchison
(Photo provided by Kay Bailey Hutchison)
Hutchison was nominated by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company Executive Vice-President Joanne Maguire. In nominating her, Maguire credited Hutchison as a "long standing champion of NASA and DoD space programs" and recognized her bi-partisan leadership ensuring passage of the three-year 2010 NASA Authorization Act. Maguire went on to cite Hutchison's dedication to education excellence, her promotion of the International Space Station Program, and her efforts to support the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, the Space Launch System and commercial space transportation amidst "dramatic program and policy shifts."
"The RNASA Board of Advisors chose a very deserving candidate for recognition. We're thrilled to be honoring Senator Hutchison this year," Rodolfo González, President of the RNASA Foundation, said. Senator Hutchison will receive the award at a gala at the Houston Hyatt Regency on April 26, 2013.
Kay Bailey Hutchison is a former United States Senator (R-TX) who served from June 1993 through January 2013. As the first and only woman elected to the Senate from the State of Texas, she also became the first U.S. Senator from Texas to receive four million votes in a single election.
"A pioneer throughout her career, Senator Hutchison reflects the spirit of exploration and discovery that characterizes America's space program" wrote Maguire.
Exercising strong leadership on the Senate Commerce Committee's Science and Space Subcommittee, Hutchison worked hand-in-hand with NASA and the National Science Foundation on behalf of America's space and science programs. In 2005, the Senator helped to draft a five-year plan outlining NASA's exploration and research future which was signed into law by President George W. Bush. In 2010, as the senior Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee, Hutchison was instrumental in forging a NASA reauthorization bill which balanced future NASA exploration missions with commercial space investments, while authorizing funds for an additional shuttle mission.
She also led the charge to promote the International Space Station (ISS) as a National Laboratory. Her support and this designation is stimulating groundbreaking research among government agencies, universities and the private sector aboard the ISS.
Hutchison's commitment to educational excellence has been evident through her work on programs such as the America COMPETES Act and The Academy of Medicine, Engineering, and Science of Texas (TAMEST). The America COMPETES Act, which became law in 2007, invests in the development of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, and prepares students for future careers in aerospace. In 2010, Hutchison went on to include a provision in the reauthorization bill that allows participating colleges and universities to certify STEM majors as elementary and secondary school teachers.
In her home state of Texas, Hutchison helped establish the Academy of Medicine, Engineering, and Science of Texas (TAMEST) to recognize the state's top achievers in these fields. TAMEST's success has not only brought federal investments to Texas institutions but has established the state as an important destination and center of achievement in these fields. Due to the success of this program, ten Nobel Laureates now call Texas institutions home.
Originally from La Marque, Texas, Hutchison graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1962. She went on to earn a J.D. from the University of Texas Law School. Her political career began in 1972 with her election to the Texas House of Representatives where she served until 1976. She went on to serve as vice-chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board from 1976 to 1978. She then left politics for business until 1990 when she was elected Texas State Treasurer. In 1993, Hutchison became the first woman to be elected to represent Texas in the United States Senate. She was re-elected one year later to a six-year-term and again in 2006 by an overwhelming margin. From 2001 to 2007, Hutchison served as the Senate Republican Conference Chairwoman, making her the fifth-ranking Republican in the Senate. During her time in the Senate, she served on the Appropriations, Commerce, Science and Transportation, Rules and Administration, and Veterans' Affairs Committees. She retired from the Senate in January 2013.
Hutchison and her husband, Ray, live in Dallas with their two adopted children.
The RNASA Foundation invites members of the public and aerospace community to attend the black-tie event on April 26 at the Houston Hyatt Regency where Senator Hutchison will be recognized with the National Space Trophy. Please see http://www.rnasa.org for information about sponsorships and tickets.
About RNASA: The Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation was founded by the Space Center Rotary Club of Houston, Texas in 1985 to organize and coordinate an annual event to recognize outstanding achievements in space and create greater public awareness of the benefits of space exploration. The nonprofit Foundation presents the National Space Trophy and Stellar Awards each year.
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