2024 PRESS/PHOTO INFORMATION
Press Release
RNASA's 2024 Stellar Award Winners Announced
Rotary National Award for Space Achievement
May 1, 2024
Media Contact: Lindsey Cousins, Lindseyrc99@gmail.com
The Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation honored the dedication of the space workers at the annual Space Awards Gala on Friday, April 26, 2024, by presenting the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Stellar Awards.
Every year, the aerospace community anxiously awaits the announcement of the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Stellar Award winners.
The 2024 Stellar Awards Evaluation Panel, Michael Coats, Eileen Collins, Sandra Magnus, and Michael Hawes selected the winners based on which accomplishments have advanced U.S. space capabilities and hold the greatest promise of future capabilities.
Out of 161 nominations received, the Panel selected 29 individuals and 9 teams for recognition.
Prior to the evening's festivities, all nominees were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Johnson Space Center and a luncheon at the Clear Lake Hilton. Stellar Awards Committee Chair Rubik Sheth, RNASA Foundation Chair Rodolfo González, and Space Center Rotary President Randy Straach welcomed the nominees. Astronaut Thomas Marshburn was this year's Stellar luncheon speaker.
Each nominee received a Fisher Space Pen donated by the company. The Fisher Space Pen was originally carried by the astronauts of the Apollo moon missions and is still used on manned space flights to this day. They are precision assembled, hand tested, and guaranteed to perform underwater, at any angle including upside down, in extreme temperatures, and of course in zero gravity. All the Stellar nominees had their photo taken as they received a special commemorative certificate with a United States flag that was flown in the crew supply cargo aboard the SpaceX Crew-6 flight and returned on SpaceX-27 flight March 3, 2023 through April 15, 2023. While docked to the ISS, these items travelled more than 17 million miles.
The Stellar Award winners were announced at the RNASA evening gala on April 26, 2024 by astronaut "Woody" Hoburg and astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli who presented them with engraved marble trophies. The winners in each of the four categories, Early Career, Mid Career, Late Career and Team are:
Early Career Category
Download high resolution.
L to R: Woody Hoburg (presenting), Christopher Vodney, Richard Zappula, Jennie Wang, John Cooper, Justin De Castro, Benjamin Asher, Breanna Johnson, Lauren Henrichsen, Sarah Moudy, Jasmin Moghbeli (presenting). Not
shown: Lauren Vayda
(RNASA photo, 2024)
Benjamin W. Asher of Aegis Aerospace - Pathfinding innovative NASA architectures to enable a robust logistics supply chain to and from NASA's Gateway Space Station and cislunar space in support of all stakeholders across the US government.
Dr. John R. Cooper of NASA Langley Research Center - Exemplary early career advancements in fundamental research and development enabling adaptive control for autonomous capabilities that support NASA's aerospace missions.
Justin De Castro of Aerojet Rocketdyne, L3Harris - Exceptional contributions as the Test Lead for the RS-25 engine development for Artemis
Lauren A. Henrichsen of ASRC Federal - Exceptional performance significantly exceeding expectations as a technician working on the Orion spacecraft assembly and integration.
Breanna J. Johnson of NASA Johnson Space Center - Sustained excellence in Artemis Mission Design and Advanced Vehicle conceptualization and development.
Dr. Sarah Moudy of Aegis Aerospace - Hands-on commitment, innovative solutions, and invaluable contributions to NASA's Standard Measures and Sensorimotor Assessments projects, safeguarding astronaut health and setting a standard for impactful research in space exploration.
Lauren E. Vayda of United States Space Force - Outstanding leadership, drive, and unwavering dedication to excellence yielding critical contributions to the Space mission as an acquisition program manager.
Christopher I. Vodney of Barrios Technology - Continuous improvements in standardizing analysis processes for the in-loads and dynamics team for the Gateway and Human Lander system to Orion.
Jennie Wang of Northrop Grumman - Outstanding technical expertise and leadership on the Cygnus Integration and Test team.
Dr. Richard S. Zappulla II of Air Force Research Laboratory - Outstanding support of fifteen flight experiments, significantly enhancing the nation's ability to perform rendezvous and proximity operations in space.
Mid Career Category
Download high resolution.
L to R: Jasmin Moghbeli (presenting), Issac Monical, Sandra Kasper, Michelle Costenario, Kara Pohlkamp, Jeremy Raley, Monica Greeley, Dylan Powell, Robin Hetherington, Woody Hoburg (presenting).
(RNASA photo, 2024)
Michelle E. Costenaro of Blue Origin - Outstanding contributions in championing and advancing Blue Origin's test and flight operations.
Monica Greeley of Axiom Space - Visionary leadership and transformative impact, marked by exceptional engineering processes, organizational innovation, unwavering commitment to excellence, and playing a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of both the organization and in shaping the landscape of human spaceflight.
Robin L. Hetherington of Jacobs - Outstanding contributions setting the standard for Material and Processing problem solving, collaboration and mentorship in support of manned testing.
Sandra F. Kasper of Lockheed Martin - Exceptional leadership of deep-space missions including Mars Odyssey, Genesis, Stardust, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Phoenix Mars Lander, Juno, MAVEN and OSIRIS-Rex, including managing spacecraft design, integration, testing, and mission operations.
Isaac J. Monical of Aerojet Rocketdyne, L3Harris - Outstanding contributions to the nation in advancing space science and technology for the benefit of all humankind.
Kara M. Pohlkamp of NASA Johnson Space Center - Exceptional leadership of the KPLO mission to the moon in partnership with South Korea and serving as an international role model for woman in engineering.
Dr. Dylan C. Powell of Lockheed Martin - Outstanding advancement of satellite Earth remote sensing techniques and instrumentation using visible, infrared, and microwave observations, and the design of major Earth observation systems.
Col. Jeremy A. Raley of Air Force Research Laboratory - Successful transitioning of new technologies to the warfighter, significantly enhancing the nation's ability to operate in the space domain.
Late Career Category
Download high resolution.
L to R: Woody Hoburg (presenting), Bernadette Walls, Eduardo Llama, Chuck Dingell, John Harris, Shellie Vaughan, John Tatum, Cuong Nguyen, Veronica Gonzalez, David Martin, Robert Cooke, Paul Krause, Jasmin Moghbeli (presenting).
(RNASA photo, 2024)
Robert W. Cooke of SAIC - Exceptional expertise and career contributions in the design, manufacture, modification, and repair of electrical/electronic hardware used in high reliability and spaceflight applications including ISS, Orion, Human Landing System, Gateway, and aerospace contractor community flight systems.
Charles Dingell of NASA Johnson Space Center - Sustained technical leadership and contributions as the Orion Chief Engineer culminating in NASA's return to the moon with Artemis I.
Veronica C. Gonzalez of Jacobs - Outstanding service to the United States Space Program with a distinguished 26-year career as an expert welder at Johnson Space Center manufacturing services.
John A. Harris III of Aerojet Rocketdyne, L3Harris - Excellence in development and fielding of Human Space and Exploration Systems for 22 years.
Paul A. Krause of The Boeing Company - Distinguished engineer and highly respected technical expert with exceptional commitment to the success of future Artemis space missions.
Eduardo G. Llama of Jacobs - Instrumental leadership to the Orion spacecraft's guidance and control and general performance during the Artemis 1 mission.
David S. Martin of KBR - Exceptional scientific and innovative contributions furthering research and clinical approaches to ultrasound science during ISS operations and enabling future exploration missions.
Cuong Q. Nguyen of NASA Johnson Space Center - Exceptional leadership in both assuring crew safety and ground-breaking implementation of information technologies and data systems in support of NASA human spaceflight programs.
John H. Tatum of Jacobs - Outstanding contributions to the nation's space program by directing chamber testing for every major NASA program for over 30 years.
Shellie Vaughan of Leidos - Outstanding leadership of over 140 process improvement events, instrumental contributions to the Lessons Learned database development and rollout, and effective champion of the review and audit of the CMC government property management and inventory system, all resulting in significant savings.
Bernadette Walls of KBR - Exceptional support to over 100 astronauts across 8 Shuttle and 45 ISS missions, uniquely contributed to the success of NASA and its mission of keeping astronauts safe and successful while on-orbit.
Team Category
Download high resolution.
L to R: Jasmin Moghbeli (presenting), Nayi Castro and Ryan Olds (OSIRIS-REx Mission Team of NASA Goddard Space
Flight Center and Lockheed Martin), Katie Rogers (Cargo Mission Manager Team of NASA Johnson Space Center), Andy Sinclair (Demonstrations and Science Experiments Team of Air Force Research Laboratory), Joel Bridges(Space Launch System Core Stage Rocket Propulsion Team of The Boeing Company), Michelle Stein (Pressure Garment Team of Axiom Space), Jay Grow (Artemis I Technical Launch Team of The Boeing Company), Teresa
Spinelli (NG-18 Solar Array Deployment Anomaly Team of Northrop Grumman), Ade Adebayo (Advanced Manufacturing Team of Jacobs), Alex Rigas (International Space Station Russian Vehicle Coolant Leak Response Team of The Boeing Company), Woody Hoburg (presenting).
(RNASA photo, 2024)
Artemis I Technical Launch Team of The Boeing Company - Impressive technical integrity, innovative thinking, extremely resilient, excellent communication and problem-solving skills during the launch of Artemis I.
Cargo Mission Manager Team of NASA Johnson Space Center - Outstanding development and execution of the International Space Station cargo missions in support of critical mission objectives.
Demonstrations and Science Experiments (DSX) Team of Air Force Research Laboratory - Successful demonstration of several new space technologies and capabilities on orbit in support of our National Defense Strategy.
International Space Station Russian Vehicle Coolant Leak Response Team of The Boeing Company - Technical excellence in expedited response for Russian Vehicle coolant anomaly to continue safe International Space Station operations.
Jacobs Advanced Manufacturing Team of Jacobs - Excellence and innovation through manufacturing services to support critical NASA programs.
NG-18 Solar Array Deployment Anomaly Team of Northrop Grumman - Outstanding contribution in overcoming a launch vehicle anomaly on the NG-18 mission that jeopardized the cargo delivery mission to the International Space Station.
OSIRIS-REx Mission Team of Lockheed Martin and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - For exceptional performance on NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission that successfully returned the United States' first asteroid sample – the largest carbon-rich sample ever returned to Earth.
Pressure Garment Team of Axiom Space - Unparalleled engineering skill, creativity, and determination in developing the innovative Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit spacesuit, a key achievement in the Artemis campaign, showcasing exceptional leadership in spacesuit design, manufacturing, and certification.
Space Launch System Core Stage Rocket Propulsion Team of The Boeing Company - Outstanding team technical excellence in designing and developing the SLS Core Stage's massive, clean, safe, efficient rocket propulsion system, resulting in a groundbreaking accomplishment on Artemis I.
Read the press release as a PDF.
Press Release
RNASA Foundation Honors Dr. Christopher Scolese, Gina Sunseri, Gerald Griffin and Stellar Winners
Rotary National Award for Space Achievement
May 1, 2024
Media Contact: Lindsey Cousins, Lindseyrc99@gmail.com
Christopher Scolese receiving the National Space Trophy
(RNASA photo, 2024)
See full size.
Gina Sunseri receiving the Space Communicator Award
(RNASA photo, 2024)
See full size.
Vanessa Wyche (right) presents Gerald Griffin the 2024 Corona Award
(RNASA photo, 2024)
See full size.
Michael Coats (right) presents the 2024 National Space Trophy to Christopher Scolese
(RNASA photo, 2024)
See full size.
Eileen Collins (right) presents the OMEGA speedmaster watch to Christopher Scolese
(RNASA photo, 2024)
See full size.
RNASA Foundation Chairman Rodolfo González welcomed guests to the gala, saying, "the RNASA Foundation recognizes achievements in space across the entire nation and across all sectors, and we are incredibly honored to have so many visitors here from around the country."
The Clear Brook High School JROTC Color Guard presented the colors, followed by Danny Myers, who sang the National Anthem. Reverend David Bridges, Executive Director of the Clear Creek Family Promise, provided the invocation.
After dinner, the program kicked off with a year-in-review film by Space City Films. Kristin Fisher, CNN Space and Defense Correspondent, served as the emcee. In her opening remarks, Kristin said, "make no mistake, the reason that I have the job that I have today is because of the hard work that all of you have done in the past 10 years to really propel the space industry to new heights... something that I find so remarkable and so inspiring in 2024."
Stellar Awards were presented to 29 individuals and 9 teams. The Stellar Award winners were announced by NASA Astronauts "Woody" Hoburg and Jasmin Moghbeli, who then presented them with engraved marble trophies. The Stellar Awards were presented in Early Career, Mid Career, Late Career, and Team categories.
Freelancer writer Mark Carreau presented the Space Communicator Award to Gina Sunseri. He remarked, "I consider the best reporters to be astronauts that explore the Earth, and I believe Gina is every bit of that. She's dedicated to understanding the technical and scientific subject matter as well as the personal challenges that are part of the space profession."
Sunseri said of her award, "part of what I wanted to talk about tonight are the human stories that really catch people's attention... Pam Melroy gave me very bad news; she said chocolate tastes bad in space. I think that's fascinating, and I think our viewers really, really enjoy that kind of story."
Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche presented the coveted Corona Award to Gerald Griffin. She reflected on Griffin's career, saying, "Gerry's immense dedication and contribution to the space program shaped our agency's foundation and inspired generations to push the boundaries of what's possible... serving as an exemplary mentor and advocate for the future of space exploration."
Griffin said of his award, "when NASA was formed, it set off a bell with me that I wanted to get into that business... it immediately resonated in my mind. If there is a legacy from Apollo... it was the fact that we had done it. When we started, we didn't know we could do it, we thought we could, but we didn't know for sure. So when we started having this round of success, we finally got it in our mind we are going to do this. And if anything we've left for Artemis is that you can take this (doubt) out of the equation - it can be done."
Mike Coats, former Johnson Space Center Director, presented the prestigious National Space Trophy to Dr. Christopher Scolese. While introducing Scolese, Mike commented "As the JSC Director, I had the good fortune to work with Chris for several years, and I have yet to see him raise his voice or show much frustration. Even when he was the Acting NASA Administrator he always kept his poise. Nowadays, a lot of people are asking 'where are the adults in the room?'... it gives me great pleasure to introduce one of those adults in the room."
During his acceptance speech, Scolese remarked, "In the past, I have been asked how I arrived at the many positions held over the years. I said that there was a book that was edited by the first recipient of the National Space Trophy - Max Faget. It was "Manned Spacecraft: Engineering Design and Operation"... it is a great book that explains the intricacies of design, orbital mechanics, how to deal with challenges, and more. While the technology it describes is dated, the principles are everlasting. I have worked with and continue to work with incredible people - all amazing, all willing to push the envelope, and all willing to help each other. I think what we really do is give people hope for the future. We show how technology can be used to improve the world, to expand the horizon of society, and to motivate people, especially young people, like Max Faget did, to do difficult things and strive for the stars."
Eileen Collins, astronaut and recipient of the RNASA 2006 National Space Trophy, presented an OMEGA Speedmaster watch to Scolese. Collins paid tribute to General Tom Stafford who presented the OMEGA Watch to the RNASA NST recipients for 22 years prior to his passing in 2024. Collins reflected on Stafford's legacy saying, "General Stafford was an incredible human being - he was an explorer, he was a hero, he was a diplomat, he was a leader with integrity." She went on to point out facts about the Speedmaster watch, "It holds two records - one is the distance record from Earth on Apollo 13 when it went as far as 249,000 miles from Earth, and the other is a speed record - 24,791mph on Apollo 10 which was commanded by General Stafford."
A portrait of Scolese was on display at the gala and used as the cover of the souvenir program. The portrait will become part of the National Space Trophy display at Space Center Houston for one year.
RNASA Chairman Rodolfo González concluded the evening by thanking the Foundation's corporate sponsors whose support and achievements made the event possible: Aegis Aerospace, Inc., Aerojet Rocketdyne, L3Harris, The Aerospace Corporation, All Points Logistics, ARES Corporation, ASRC Federal, Axiom Space, Barrios Technology, Bastion Technologies, Inc., Blue Origin, The Boeing Company, Booz Allen Hamilton, CACI International, Collins Aerospace, Deloitte, Draper, Jacobs, JES Tech, KBR, Leidos, Lockheed Martin, Logical Innovations, Inc., MORI Associates, Inc., MRI Technologies, Northrop Grumman, Oceaneering International, OMEGA, Paragon Space Development, Peraton, SAIC, SpaceX, TTTech North America, Inc., United Launch Alliance, V2X, and Vericon Technical Services.
Visit http://www.rnasa.org/photos.html for images from the event.
The Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation's black-tie Gala on April 26, 2024, was recorded live, in its entirety, by Space City Films and is accessible on the website's agenda page, www.rnasa.org/agenda.html.
Read the press release as a PDF.
Press Release
Rotary Gala Honors Heroes of Space
Rotary National Award for Space Achievement
April 5, 2024
Media Contact: Lindsey Cousins, Lindseyrc99@gmail.com
The Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation will recognize members of the space industry at their annual space awards gala on Friday, April 26, 2024, at the Houston Hyatt Regency.
The RNASA Foundation was formed by the Space Center Rotary Club in 1985, to publicly recognize the unsung heroes of America's space program alongside the more well-known achievers. This year, the RNASA Foundation will present the 2024 National Space Trophy, to Dr. Christopher Scolese, Director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Former Johnson Space Center Director, Mike Coats, will present the prestigious award to Dr. Scolese.
Freelance writer Mark Carreau will present the Space Communicator Award to ABC News Producer, Gina Sunseri.
Gerald Griffin, former NASA Apollo Flight Director and former Director of the Johnson Space Center, will receive the Corona Award which has only been presented four times in RNASA's 37-year history. The award will be presented by Vanessa Wyche, Johnson Space Center Director.
Kristin Fisher, CNN Space and Defense Correspondent, will serve as Emcee and NASA Astronaut Eileen Collins, will present an OMEGA watch to Scolese at the closing of the program.
The National Space Trophy honoree is selected each year by the RNASA Foundation's Board of Advisors. This board represents a Who's Who of government and corporate aerospace leaders, including former Trophy and Space Communicator Award recipients.
In addition to the National Space Trophy, stellar awards will be presented to people in early career, mid career, late career, and team categories. RNASA Chairman Rodolfo González said, "We received an impressive 161 stellar nominations this year, 40 government and 117 corporate, and 4 government/corporate joint team." The nominations came from Aegis Aerospace, Aerojet Rocketdyne/L3Harris, Air Force Research Laboratory, ARES Corporation, ASRC Federal, ASTRION, Axiom Space, Barrios Technology, Blue Origin, The Boeing Company, Booz Allen Hamilton, CACI, Collins Aerospace, Jacobs, KBR, Leidos, Lockheed Martin, MRI Technologies, NASA Ames Research Center, NASA Johnson Space Center, NASA Kennedy Space Center, NASA Langley Research Center, Northrop Grumman, Paragon Space Development Corporation, S&K Global Solutions LLC, SAIC, United Launch Alliance, and the United States Space Force.
Of all the nominations, only a few Stellar awards are given, and are announced the evening of the banquet. The winners will receive engraved marble trophies generously sponsored by Northrop Grumman. The trophies will be presented by NASA Astronauts "Woody" Hoburg and Jasmin Moghbeli.
The RNASA Stellar Awards Evaluation Panel ranks the nominations received from industry and government in all categories, 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 2024 Stellar judges are Michael Coats, Eileen Collins, Sandra Magnus, and Michael Hawes.
The Stellar Award nominees and team representatives will enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of the Johnson Space Center and a luncheon where all are recognized with mounted certificates and a Fisher Space Pen donated by the company. The Fisher Space Pen was originally carried by the astronauts of the Apollo moon missions and is still used on manned space flights to this day. They are precision assembled, hand tested, and guaranteed to perform underwater, at any angle including upside down, in extreme temperatures, and of course in zero gravity. The keynote speaker at the luncheon will be astronaut Thomas Marshburn.The reception begins at 6 p.m., and the program starts at 7 p.m with a welcome by RNASA Chairman Rodolfo González. Following will be a presentation of the colors by Clear Brook High School Army JROTC, accompanied with the national anthem sung by Danny Myers. Reverend David Bridges, Executive Director of the Clear Creek Family Promise will provide 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.
Read the press release as a Word document.
Press Release
Gerald "Gerry "Griffin, former NASA Apollo Flight Director and Director of the Johnson Space Center, to receive the 2024 RNASA Corona Award
Rotary National Award for Space Achievement
February 8, 2024
Media Contact: Lindsey Cousins, Lindseyrc99@gmail.com
Gerald Griffin. (RNASA photo, 2024).
The Corona Award was created to recognize the achievement of America's brightest space explorers. The award is presented only when the RNASA Foundation deems that exceptional merit and opportunity require it. The three previous honorees include Dr. Robert Gilruth in 1992, Captain John Young in 1997, and Walter Cronkite in 1999. Griffin was nominated for the award by former NASA Flight Director Eugene Kranz and Griffin Communications Group President Jeffrey Carr. In his nomination letter, Carr wrote, "From the trenches of Gemini flight control to Apollo, Shuttle, classrooms and the halls of Congress, Gerry's legacy of service and leadership is unrivaled, and it is due time for this recognition with the Corona Award."
Griffin joined NASA's Johnson Space Center in 1964 as a flight controller, specializing in guidance, navigation, and control systems for the Gemini and, later, the Apollo programs. In 1968, he was selected as Flight Director for Apollo 7, the first manned Apollo mission. He went on to serve on all nine manned missions to the moon, including the six lunar landings. Gerry served as Lead Flight Director for Apollo 12, 15, and 17. As Flight Director, he orchestrated a Mission Control team of flight controllers, engineers, and specialists who controlled the missions from liftoff to splashdown.
Griffin said of his award, "I am in good company with the three prior recipients of this prestigious award. All three are forever icons in the domain of human space exploration, and it is very humbling to be considered worthy of standing beside them in the aura of the Corona Award."
After the Apollo program drew to a close in 1972, Gerry was summoned to NASA Headquarters, where he was appointed Assistant Administrator for Legislative Affairs. In this role, he led NASA's efforts with Congress to fund the agency's programs in aeronautics and space, especially the fledgling Space Shuttle Program. He was later named Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Operations, a role in which he was responsible for developing operations policies for the shuttle. In 1976, he transferred to the Dryden Flight Research Center in California as Deputy Director. There, he worked on a series of test flights that would provide key data for the shuttle's landing operations. He was then Deputy Director of the Kennedy Space Center from 1977 through the launch of the first Space Shuttle from Cape Canaveral on April 12, 1981. In 1982, he was named the third director of the Johnson Space Center. Gerry retired from NASA in 1986.
Since 1986, he has served in a myriad of private industry roles, including CEO of the Greater Houston Chamber of Commerce, where he worked with local business leaders to create an expanded economy built on a foundation of aerospace, medicine, and biotechnology. In addition, he has served in numerous private sector leadership roles, including Managing Director of Korn/Ferry-Houston Office, Chairman of the Board of Comarco, Inc., Chairman of the Board of Golden Spike Company, and advisory board member for Aegis Aerospace.
Gerry continues to be a tireless advocate for the future of space exploration. He has made hundreds of speeches and appearances around the globe, promoting the past, present, and future of space. He injects clarity into a complex topic, thereby fueling enthusiasm for continued development. He is a true ambassador to the American space program.
Griffin is the recipient of numerous honors, including the Space Pioneer Award, NASA's Distinguished Service Medal, NASA's Outstanding Leadership Medal, NASA's Exceptional Service Medal, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom for the Apollo XIII Mission Operations Team. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the American Astronomical Society, and the British Interplanetary Society. In addition, he is a member of Schreiner University's Board of Trustees, and is a former member of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board appointed by Governor George W. Bush. Gerry holds a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Texas A&M University and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.
The RNASA Foundation invites members of the public and the aerospace community to attend the black-tie event on April 26, 2024, at the Houston Hyatt Regency, where Mr. Griffin will be presented with the Corona Award during the 36th annual RNASA Space Awards gala. Please visit rnasa.org to reserve your table, purchase tickets, or inquire about sponsorship opportunities. If you would like to reserve a room for the evening, please contact the Hyatt at 713-654-1234 and inquire about the RNASA group rate.
Read the press release as a PDF.
Press Release
Gina Sunseri, ABC News Producer, to receive the 2024 RNASA Space Communicator Award
Rotary National Award for Space Achievement
February 6, 2024
Media Contact: Lindsey Cousins, Lindseyrc99@gmail.com
Based in Houston, Gina has been a trusted fixture on the ABC News space beat for more than two decades. Her introduction to the space program began in 1996, when one of her earliest assignments was to cover astronaut Shannon Lucid - the only American woman to live aboard the Mir space station. Since then, Gina has produced or contributed to hundreds of articles and broadcast news segments covering Space Shuttle launches, spacewalks, commercial space flight, the International Space Station, five Mars missions, and the much anticipated Artemis II mission scheduled to launch in 2025.
Mark Carreau, Aviation Week & Space Technology Houston Correspondent, and 2006 Space Communicator Award recipient, nominated Sunseri saying, "For over two decades, Gina Sunseri has set a high bar for outstanding coverage of our nation's space programs, educating millions of Americans through her thoughtful and expert productions for ABC News.”" Veronica McGregor, Digital News and Media Manager for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and 2013 Space Communicator Award recipient, says "Her deep understanding of the space program is evident in stories that often provide angles that other media miss. Her dedication to covering the space beat has benefitted the industry as well as ABC and millions of viewers."
Sunseri said of her award, "Being in the same company as previous honorees is truly humbling. I have always tried to make the space program engaging for our viewers - and to share the curiosity, hard work, creativity, and passion of the people who fulfill our desire to explore. I am fascinated by the small stories-- the cat videos from space. The lost tomato. The astronaut who had spicy shrimp cocktail for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of his mission. And of course, Suni Williams' cutting her ponytail in space for charity."
Following the tragic loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia in 2003, Sunseri reported extensively on the seven astronauts lost aboard STS-107, as well as NASA's investigation of the disaster, and the safety measures that were initiated prior to the 2005 Return to Flight. She was an integral part of the ABC News team that went on to earn an Emmy Award for their investigation and report titled "Columbia Final Mission" which aired on "Primetime Thursday".
When she's not chasing the next story or interviewing a new source, Gina enjoys travel, weather, music, and gardening. She is happily married to John Treadgold, a retired KPRC photographer, and is mom to two children.
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. The previous recipients of the award are: 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; Mark Carreau, formerly of the Houston Chronicle; Neil deGrasse Tyson of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History; Veronica McGregor, Manager of News and Social Media at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Chris A. Hadfield. former Canadian Space Agency astronaut; Bill Nye (the science guy), CEO of the Planetary Society; Rob Navias, Public Affairs Officer (PAO) Mission commentator; William Shatner, actor, author, producer and director; and Bill Ingalls, senior NASA photographer.
Sunseri will be honored with the 2024 Space Communicator Award at RNASA's Space Awards Gala on April 26, 2024, at the Houston Hyatt Regency. Dr. Christopher Scolese, Director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), will receive the 2024 National Space Trophy. Please visit rnasa.org to reserve your table, purchase tickets, or inquire about sponsorship opportunities. If you would like to reserve a room for the evening, please contact the Hyatt at 713-654-1234 and inquire about the RNASA group rate.
Read the press release as a PDF.
Press Release
Dr. Christopher Scolese, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Director, to receive the 2024 National Space Trophy
Rotary National Award for Space Achievement
January 23, 2024
Media Contact: Lindsey Cousins, lindsey@baysidegraphics.net
Rodolfo González, president of the RNASA Foundation, said, "The RNASA Foundation is thrilled to host Dr. Scolese as the guest of honor at the 2024 Space Awards Gala. The annual RNASA Gala is organized to recognize outstanding achievements in our field, and we look forward to celebrating Dr. Scolese's contributions to space discovery, exploration and advancement."
"I am honored to receive the National Space Trophy," Dr. Scolese said. "This award is a tribute to the collaborative efforts of the entire space community, and it fuels my commitment to advancing innovation and exploring the limitless potential of space."
Dr. Scolese was nominated for the award by former Johnson Space Center Director Michael Coats. In his nomination letter, Coats wrote, "Dr. Scolese has consistently demonstrated technical brilliance, exemplary administrative skills, and outstanding leadership during a 32-year NASA career, culminating with 7 years as [Goddard Space Flight Center] Director and currently as the director of the NRO."
Sworn in on August 5, 2019, Dr. Scolese is the 19th NRO director and the first to be presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed. Under his leadership, the NRO develops, acquires, launches and operates a vast network of reconnaissance satellites that provides critical national security data to the U.S. Intelligence Community, the U.S. Department of Defense, and America's allies around the world. Dr. Scolese's direction builds on the NRO's legacy of advancing technologies, building key partnerships, and identifying threats around the world.
Dr. Scolese's career began in 1987 at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, where he served as Earth Observing System (EOS) Systems Manager, EOS Terra Project Manager, EOS Program Manager, and Deputy Director of Flight Programs and Projects for Earth Science. In 2001, he was assigned to NASA's Washington, D.C., office, where he served in a variety of positions beginning with Deputy Associate Administrator of Space Science. In this role, Dr. Scolese managed the oversight of NASA's Space Science Flight Program, technology development and contract management of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In 2004, he returned to Goddard Space Flight Center as Deputy Director before shifting back to NASA headquarters as Chief Engineer in 2005. In 2007, he was appointed NASA's Associate Administrator, overseeing the agency's programmatic and technical efforts. Between January and July 2009, Dr. Scolese served as NASA's Acting Administrator.
Dr. Scolese returned to Greenbelt, Maryland, in 2012, as Director of Goddard Space Flight Center. While there, he led a team of scientists, engineers, and technologists in the development of systems for Human Space Flight, Astrophysics, Planetary and Earth Science missions, as well as missions for NOAA and USGS including the James Webb Telescope. The James Webb Telescope is an ambitious project that launched in 2021 and has returned staggering images of the first galaxies that were formed more than 13 billion years ago. Dr. Scolese retired from NASA in 2019.
Dr. Scolese is the recipient of numerous honors including the 2018 AIAA Von Karman Award, the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive, the NASA Distinguished Leadership Medal, Goddard Outstanding Leadership, and two NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals. He is a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Dr. Scolese holds a Bachelor of Sciences degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of New York at Buffalo; a master's degree in electrical and computer engineering from George Washington University; and a Ph.D. in systems engineering from George Washington University.
The RNASA Foundation invites members of the public and the aerospace community to attend the black-tie event on April 26, 2024, at the Houston Hyatt Regency, where Dr. Scolese will be presented with the National Space Trophy during the 36th annual RNASA Space Awards gala. Please visit rnasa.org to reserve your table, purchase tickets, or inquire about sponsorship opportunities. If you would like to reserve a room for the evening, please contact the Hyatt at 713-654-1234 and inquire about the RNASA group rate.
Read the press release as a PDF