1997-2003 Stellar Awards Winners

Please note that beginning with the 2002 Stellar Awards, the Recent Graduate category was combined with the Early Career category. Prior to 1997, the winners were not categorized by age, so those winners are on a separate page.

Although all RNASA events were photographed, and prints made available to awardees afterwards, only a subset of the originals were catalogued in the JSC archive - mostly images of JSC employees. If you have photos of award winners prior to 2004 that you'd be willing to have copied/scanned for our online archive, please contact Marianne Dyson. Thank you!

See Stellar Award Winners from 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003

2003 Stellar Award Winners

The 2003 RNASA Stellar Award winners in each of four categories were announced at the banquet on May 22, 2003 at the Houston Hyatt Regency hotel.

The 2003 Stellar Awards were presented by Astronauts Sandra H. Magnus and James F. Reilly, II.

Category	Winner	Affiliation	Citation
Early	Angela R. Prince	NASA Johnson Space Center	Exceptional leadership of the Mission Operations Directorate's Robotics Systems Group and successful leadership through the most challenging period of Robotic Operations in human space flight history.
Early	James Y. Tsai	Boeing, Rocketdyne	Exceptional contributions to structural engineering for the International Space Station, including the development of automated stress analysis processes and tools, leading to significant cost savings.
Early	Bryan M. Corley	United Space Alliance	Demonstration of exceptional technical expertise, coordination, and leadership in support of ISS trajectory operations and ISS safety as the Trajectory Operations Officer Increment-5 Lead.
Early	Joseph G. Martinez	Boeing, Rocketdyne	Exceptional level of professional responsibility and technical leadership as lead system design engineer for the MB-XX cryogenic upper stage rocket engine.
Early	Capt. Robert T. Bridges	United States Air Force	Outstanding leadership in developing and testing space control concepts and prototypes while laying the foundation for gaining and maintaining space superiority.
Mid	Donald L. Carter	NASA Marshall Space Flight Center	Personal dedication, leadership, and outstanding technical accomplishment as the ISS Water Reclamation and Management Subsystem Manager, ensuring the application of sound engineering judgment and effective international negotiations to troubleshoot, resolve, and avoid on-orbit problems.
Mid	Ralph R. Roe, Jr.	NASA Johnson Space Center	Motivational leadership and effective management for the Space Shuttle Program, in the design, modification, certification and testing of the orbiter vehicle.
Mid	Maj. Rudolph E. Butler III	United States Air Force Space Command	Creating revolutionary ways to integrate space capabilities, and defining a process for Air Force Space Command to developing new ideas that shape Air Force space doctrine at all levels.
Mid	David L. Wineland	Boeing, Rocketdyne	Outstanding achievements and accomplishments in the areas of design, development, test and continued safe flight of turbomachinery for the Space Shuttle Main Engines.
Mid	Steven R. King	Lockheed Martin	Tireless work ethic, uncompromising attention to detail, and astute engineering insight, applied to a wide array of vexing challenges associated with design, development, test, and evaluation of human space vehicles and mechanisms.
Mid	Laura A. Brozowski	Boeing, Rocketdyne	Outstanding project leadership and technical skills, generously and effectively provided in the design and development of the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen turbopumps for the Integrated Powerhead Demonstration Program.
Mid	Stephen A. Beckel	Pratt & Whitney	Fifteen-year contribution toward the advancement of hypersonic airbreathing propulsion systems and technology, outstanding leadership and vision, and pioneering a "systems level approach" to scramjet engines and vehicle optimization.
Late	John J. Talone	NASA Kennedy Space Center	Incisive command of the integration and launch of most of the one hundred or so major spacecraft going to the International Space Station, innate ability to attract outstanding people, and contributions to maintaining this historic pace of human space flights.
Late	Daniel R. Hausman	Boeing, Rocketdyne	Dedication, skill, and expertise in working various facets of the Boeing, Rocketdyne Space Shuttle Main Engine Team since 1972, covering 112 missions of the Space Shuttle.
Late	Col. Stanley L. Mushaw	United States Air Force	Successful implementation of the recommendations of the Commission to Assess United States National Security Space Management and Organization, formulation of national space policy in support of the National Security Council's Policy Coordinating Committee for Space, and efforts in spearheading Department of Defense and Department of the Air Force international space cooperation initiatives with the governments of Australia, Canada, Great Britain and Turkey.
Team	ISS Cardiocog BatteryHazard Identification Team	NASA Johnson Space Center	Identification, research, and testing of serious safety issues with the Cardiocog battery, leading to a decision by the ISS program manager that the batteries should not be used on the International Space Station, contributing to the safety of ISS crew.
Team	Miniature Autonomous Extravehicular Robotic Camera Team	NASA Johnson Space Center	Outstanding innovation and technical excellence in developing and demonstrating Mini AERCam, a nanosatellite free-flying inspection robot intended for remote viewing inspection around human spacecraft such as the International Space Station.
Team	Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Team	Air Force Space Command	Significant achievements in delivering a new era of low cost, highly reliable expendable spacelift vehicles with shorter manufacturing and launch operations timelines.
Team	76th Space Control Squadron	United States Air Force	Outstanding leadership in developing and testing space control concepts and prototypes while laying the foundation for gaining and maintaining space superiority.
Team	ISS Electric Power System Team	Boeing, Rocketdyne	Successful design, development, integration, testing and support of the ISS's electric power system, which has provided 100% availability since initial start-up two years ago and has 185 electric power system orbital replacement units on orbit with a combined 2 million hours of operation.
Team	Orbiter Flow Liner Investigation Team	The Boeing Company	Exceptional dedication, hard work, and technical excellence in understanding and resolving the orbiter propellant line flow liner issue resulting in a safe return-to-flight of the Space Shuttle fleet.

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2002 Stellar Award Winners

The 2002 RNASA Stellar Award winners in each of four categories were announced at the banquet on March 8, 2002 at South Shore Harbor.

The 2002 Stellar Awards were presented by Astronauts Lt. Col. Pamela Melroy and Dr. James F. Reilly.

Category	Winner	Affiliation	Citation
Early	Paula M. Bilstein	International, Inc.	Dedication to excellence in teaching and a commitment to the vision of international cooperation in space, during management of the JSC Language Training Program for ISS and Shuttle crews and implementation of unified training programs between NASA JSC and the Russian Space Agency.
Early	Ali R. Dianaty	Boeing Rocketdyne	Exceptional contributions to the design and development of the new generation of turbopumps for booster and upper stage liquid rocket engine applications.
Early	Capt. John W. Wagner	USAF Space Warfare Center	Tremendous impact on our national security space programs and the advancement of space technologies which will ensure that the U.S. maintains space superiority and remains ready to meet future challenges.
Early	Timothy J. Woeste (Tim)	NASA Johnson Space Center	Successful leadership of two critical Shuttle flight tests of the ISS Space Integrated GPS/Inertial Navigation System (SIGI) Orbital Attitude Readiness Experiment, and effective management of the ISS SIGI program.
Mid	Richard D. Baily (Rick)	Boeing Rocketdyne	Excellent technical and programmatic leadership of critical Boeing rocket engine and electrical power system development programs, with notable attention to detail and organizational skills, root cause and corrective action process logic and discipline, and dedication to employee diversity.
Mid	Gerald J. LeBeau (Jay)	NASA Johnson Space Center	Persistence, dedication, and creativity in the development of the Direct Simulation Monte-Carlo Analysis Code, recognized as NASA's state-of-the-art computational tool for low density flow field simulations.
Mid	Dave A. Thayer (Andy)	American Pacific Corporation	Heroic and indispensable effort in preserving America's production capacity for the strategic solid rocket fuel component, ammonium perchlorate, and applying the production process to the rigorous requirements of manned space flight.
Mid	David A. Weber (Dave)	United Space Alliance	Instrumental leadership in transitioning the NASA managed tasks to USA in the first years of USA's formation, and achievement of numerous successes as Deputy Director, Launch Operations.
Late	Paul E. Adamek (Ed)	United Space Alliance	Significant achievements in support of continuous improvements to the Space Shuttle Program's ground operations and launch processes at the Kennedy Space Center.
Late	Lt. Gen. Brian . Arnold	United States Air Force Materiel Command	Visionary leadership of the military space program for the Department of the Air Force, including development, production, and sustainment of multiple, highly technical space and missile systems in a portfolio valued at $5 billion.
Late	Benton C. Clark, Ph.D. (Ben)	Lockheed Martin Astronautics Operations	Scientific leadership of Lockheed Martin Planetary and Discovery missions, including Mars Global Surveyor, Stardust, Genesis, and the 2001 Mars Odyssey.
Late	Harold C. Croop	U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Structural Mechanics Branch	Technical and programmatic leadership in the field of Thermal Structures Concepts for three decades, enabling future endeavors in the area of Reusable Launch Vehicles and Military Space Operating Vehicles.
Team	RSRM Nozzle-to-Case J-Leg Team	ATK Thiokol Propulsion Corp.	Successful demonstration of a new Reusable Solid Rocket Motor Nozzle-Case J-joint with carbon rope thermal barrier on FSM-9 with no leaks into or through the joint, a major milestone in the flight certification.
Team	Development Team	NASA Johnson Space Center	Application of state-of-the-art concepts for the development of Robonaut, whose humanoid robot upper torso represents multiple technological advances and opens a wide range of possibilities for augmenting human support of space vehicles such as Space Station.
Team	NASA Kennedy Space Center Expendable Launch Vehicle Project Management Team	NASA Kennedy Space Center	Successful implementation of the NASA Expendable Launch Vehicle Project consolidation, and providing safe, reliable, and timely launch services for 35 active NASA scientific missions on 6 different launch vehicles.
Team	The Window Observation Research Facility and Science Window Team	The Aerospace Corporation	Dramatically improved view of Earth from the ISS, made possible with the Destiny Module Nadir Science Window and Window Observational Research Facility, providing world class Earth science with high quality views of 85% of the globe.
Team	Boeing Rocketdyne RS-68 Development Team	Boeing Rocketdyne	Successful development of the RS-68, the first stage engine for the new Delta IV family of launch vehicles, as the first U.S. rocket engine in 25 years, in half the time of previous rocket engine programs and with notable cost savings.

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2001 Stellar Award Winners

The 2001 RNASA Stellar Award winners in each of four categories were announced at the banquet on March 2,2001 at Space Center Houston.

The 2001 Stellar Awards were presented by Astronauts Dr. Franklin Chang-Diaz and Lt. Col. Pamela Melroy.

Category	Winner	Affiliation	Citation
Recent	Mukwatsibwoha L. Alibaruho	NASA Johnson Space Center	Exceptional contributions in developing cabin atmosphere depressurization responses to ensure the safety of flight crews living on-board the International Space Station.
Recent	Cynthia D. Cross	NASA Johnson Space Center	Exceptional level of professional responsibility, technical expertise, and leadership, as Subsystem Manager, in the testing, qualification, and achieving flight readiness of the External Active Thermal Control System of the International Space Station.
Recent	Patrick H. Dunlap, Jr.	NASA Glenn Research Center	Significant contributions to the research and development of advanced thermal barrier seals for the Space Shuttle and future space vehicles.
Recent	J. David Jochim	NASA Johnson Space Center	Outstanding efforts to design, develop, fabricate, and test both the Pneumatic Transporter and the Mini-AERCam robots.
Early	Michael A. Brieden	NASA Johnson Space Center	Outstanding contributions in the leadership of the Shuttle cockpit avionics upgrade effort.
Early	Capt. Derek L. Geeskie	USAF 1st Space Launch Squadron	Outstanding leadership as the Air Force Launch Director for the first successful Delta III mission.
Early	Susan F. Gomez	NASA Johnson Space Center	Significant contributions to successful implementation of Global Positioning System technology on the International Space Station and the Crew Return Vehicle.
Early	Frank W. James	Lockheed Martin Space Operations	Significant contributions to the design and development of Extra-Vehicular Activity tools such as the Body Restraint Tether.
Early	Dr. Troy E. Meink, Ph.D.	US Air Force Research Laboratory, AFRL/VSSV	Significant contribution to the future of space structures and high power solar array systems, greatly reducing the cost and enhancing the capability of future launch and space systems.
Mid	Col. Glen C. Collins	US Army Space and Missile Defense Command / Force Development & Integration Center	Orchestration and synchronization of military space activities, leading to numerous successes in headline-news level military operations, and for operationalizing space for our nation's military forces.
Mid	Dr. Richard V. Morris, Ph.D.	NASA Johnson Space Center	Outstanding leadership as an internationally recognized mineralogist and planetary scientist whose work will greatly further our understanding of the geological processes and climate of Mars, and will help pave the way for future human exploration.
Mid	William C. Panter	NASA Johnson Space Center	Significant contributions to the International Space Station Program in the area of software development and integration.
Mid	Dr. Janice Meck, Ph.D.	NASA Johnson Space Center	Improving the Johnson Space Center's status in the national and international research communities by developing the cardiovascular laboratory into one that is internationally recognized for its excellence.
Late	George C. Alford	Thiokol Propulsion	Outstanding leadership on the technically challenging Space Shuttle Reusable Solid Rocket Motor program, resulting in 16 successful full-scale static tests and 72 launches.
Late	Dr. Russell A. Howard, Ph.D.	Naval Research Laboratory	Contributions to imaging of the solar corona and demonstration of the relationship of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) to geomagnetic storms.
Late	James R. Jaax	NASA Johnson Space Center	Overall leadership and technical direction of NASA's pioneering space efforts.
Late	Lonnie J. Schmitt	United Space Alliance	Outstanding leadership to United Space Alliance and the Space Shuttle Program during his career of over 20 years as a PROP flight controller.
Team	ISS Houston Support Group in Russia	NASA Johnson Space Center	Outstanding achievement in establishing a NASA flight operations team in Russia to ensure the effective integration of joint International Space Station operations requirements.
Team	Boeing Delta III Return to Flight Team	The Boeing Company	Successful flight of the Delta III launch vehicle in August 2000, demonstrating the operational status of the Delta III and proving the operation of the second stage, which is a critical element of the Delta IV next generation of launch vehicles.
Team	Space Vision System Development Team	NASA Johnson Space Center	Exceptional dedication and technical excellence in designing, developing, certifying and implementing the first ever Space Vision System.
Team	Raytheon Technical Services Company, Aerospace Engineering Service's Part Task Trainer Development Team	Raytheon Technical Services Company, Aerospace Engineering Services	Successfully developing the Part Task Trainer to provide the capabilities required for the successful training of the International space Station's Expedition 1 flight crew.

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2000 Stellar Award Winners

The 2000 RNASA Stellar Award winners in each of four categories were announced at the banquet on March 10, 2000 at Space Center Houston.

The 2000 Stellar Awards were presented by Astronauts Col. Eileen Collins and Dr. Michael Foale.

View full size image. Foale presents Delma C. Freeman Jr. (Langley Research Center) with Stellar Award (NASA photo, 2000)	View full size image. Foale presents Stellar Award to Lorin E. Blewitt (JSC-NASA) (NASA photo, 2000)	View full size image. Collins presents Stellar Award to David E. Williams (NASA photo, 2000)	View full size image. Collins presents Stellar award to Dr. Helen W. Lane (NASA photo, 2000)
View full size image. Collins presents Stellar award to Jeffrey S. Kincaid (Boeing Canoga Park) (NASA photo, 2000)	View full size image. Collins presents Stellar award to Robert E. Castle (NASA-JSC) (NASA photo, 2000)	View full size image. Foale presents Stellar award to Dr. Kitt C. Reinhardt (Air Force Research Laboratory) (NASA photo, 2000)	View full size image. Foale presents Stellar award to Kriss J. Kennedy (NASA-JSC) (NASA photo, 2000)
View full size image. Foale presents Stellar award to Mark A. Bowman (Wyle Laboratory) (NASA photo, 2000)	View full size image. Collins presents Stellar award to Dana J. Weigel (Barrios Technology) (NASA photo, 2000)	View full size image. Collins presents Stellar award to David Cochran (Kistler Aerospace) (NASA photo, 2000)	View full size image. Collins gives Stellar Award award to Donn G. Sickorez for NASA KC-135 Reduced Gravity Flight Opportunity Student Team (NASA photo, 2000)
View full size image. Foale gives Stellar award to Dr. Martin Weisskopf (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center) (NASA photo, 2000)	View full size image. Collins gives Stellar award to the Student Tracked Atmospheric Research Satellite for Heuristic International Networking Equipment Team (STARSHINE) (NASA photo, 2000)	View full size image. Collins gives Stellar award to the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket Team (NASA photo, 2000)	View full size image. Collins gives Stellar award to the X-38 Project Team (NASA photo, 2000)
View full size image. Collins gives Stellar award to the Chandra X-Ray Observatory Team (NASA photo, 2000)

Category	Winner	Affiliation	Citation
Recent	Dana J. Weigel	Barrios Technology, Inc.	Outstanding dedication, professionalism, and technical excellence in developing the Extra-Vehicular Activity procedures and conducting crew training for the successful third Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission.
Recent	David B. Cochran	Kistler Aerospace Corporation	Exceptional level of professional responsibility and technical leadership as Structures Manager for the K-1 Fully Reusable Launch Vehicle Program.
Early	Dr. Kitt C. Reinhardt	Air Force Research Laboratory	Significant contribution to reducing the cost and enhancing the capability of future space power systems.
Early	Kriss J. Kennedy	NASA Johnson Space Center	Significant contributions to the TransHab project, the design of the ISS alternative crew quarters, and the Mars Combo-Lander project.
Early	Mark A. Bowman	Wyle Laboratories	Commitment to a working US-Russian partnership and his superior performance with integrating US hardware into Russian space vehicles.
Mid	D. Larry Clark	Lockheed Martin Astronautics	Pioneering efforts in developing In-Situ Resource Utilization technologies for use in reducing the mass and cost of planetary exploration.
Mid	Dr. Dave R. Williams	NASA Johnson Space Center	Outstanding achievements and leadership in neuroscience research and excellent management of the Space and Life Sciences Directorate at the Johnson Space Center.
Mid	Dr. Helen W. Lane	NASA Johnson Space Center	Outstanding scientific accomplishments in nutrition and food science that have advanced the understanding and application of nutritional concepts for life in space and also here on earth.
Mid	Jeffrey S. Kincaid	The Boeing Company	Engineering leadership of the X-33 Linear Aerospike Rocket Engine development program teams.
Mid	Robert E. Castle, Jr.	NASA Johnson Space Center	Outstanding leadership as a Lead Flight Director in the development of the flight control team operations concept, capabilities, and Russian interfaces to support the ISS.
Late	Charles W. Murphy	United Space Alliance	Establishing the NASA Shuttle Logistics Depot in Florida, and for his leadership in transitioning it to the recently formed United Space Alliance.
Late	Delma C. Freeman, Jr.	NASA Langley Research Center	Outstanding technical and leadership contributions to the Nation's development of advanced space transportation systems.
Late	Dr. Martin C.Weisskopf	NASA Marshall Space Flight Center	Scientific expertise, technical insight, leadership, and dedication as Project Scientist for the Chandra X-ray Observatory.
Late	Lorin E. Blewett	The Boeing Company	Expertise in staged combustion rocket engines and successful management of the Space Shuttle Main Engine Development and Flight Operations Program.
Team	NASA's Chandra X-Ray Observatory Team	NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, TRW Space & Electronics Group	Successfully designing, building, launching and deploying NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, the world's most capable and most powerful X-ray observatory, which provides astronomers with views that cannot be seen by conventional optical telescopes.
Team	NASA KC-135 Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunity Program	NASA Johnson Space Center	Creating a unique and highly innovative engineering and science education initiative which inspires and challenges hundreds of students and teachers across the United States, helping to prepare the next generation of workers to contribute to the success of our Nation's space program.
Team	Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket Team	Muniz Engineering, Inc., NASA Johnson Space Center	Successfully accomplishing the first stage of an experimental engine which promises affordable high-speed transportation technology for future human and robotic space flight.
Team	X-38 Project Team	NASA Johnson Space Center	Technical expertise and determination in the design and flight test of the X-38 Crew Return Vehicle Prototype.
Team	Student Tracked Atmospheric Research Satellite for Heuristic International Networking Experiment	STARSHINE Headquarters	Initiative, leadership, and selfless dedication, resulting in the launch of the STARSHINE satellite for the students of the world.

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1999 Stellar Award Winners

The 1999 RNASA Stellar Award winners in each of four categories were announced at the banquet on March 12 at Space Center Houston.

The 1999 Stellar Awards were presented by Astronauts Robert D. Cabana and Lisa M. Nowak.

View full size image. Dr. Steven M. Huybrechts accepts a Stellar Award in the Recent Category (NASA photo, 1999)	View full size image. Christopher P. Hansen accepts a Stellar Award in the Recent Category (NASA photo, 1999)	View full size image. Donna Fender accepts a Stellar Award in the Early Category (NASA photo, 1999)	View full size image. John Curry accepts a Stellar Award in the Early Category (NASA photo, 1999)
View full size image. Gregory J. Harbaugh accepts a Stellar Award in the Mid-Career Category (NASA photo, 1999)	View full size image. Linda K. Bromley accepts a Stellar Award in the Mid-Career Category (NASA photo, 1999)	View full size image. Thomas R. Hoffman accepts a Stellar Award in the Mid-Career Category (NASA photo, 1999)	View full size image. Dr. Philip Stepaniak accepts a Stellar Award in the Mid-Career Category (NASA photo, 1999)
View full size image. Astronauts Robert Cabana and Lisa Nowak present Stellar Award in the Late Category to Jay Greene while Master of Ceremonies Dr. Red Duke stands in the background (NASA photo, 1999)	View full size image. Unidentified man accepts a Stellar Award in the Late Category (NASA photo, 1999)	View full size image. Unidentified man accepts Stellar Award in the Late Category (NASA photo, 1999)	View full size image. Dr. William Schneider receiving a Stellar Award (NASA photo, 1999)
View full size image. Accepting a Team Stellar Award on behalf of the Space Maneuver Vehicle Team (NASA photo, 1999)	View full size image. Donna Fender accepts a Team Stellar Award on behalf of the TransHab Development Team (NASA photo, 1999)	View full size image. Stellar Award in the Team Category (NASA photo, 1999)

Read about 1999 awards in "Stellar employees receive Rotary awards," Space News Roundup, March 26, 1999.

Category	Winner	Affiliation	Citation
Recent	Christopher P. Hansen	NASA Johnson Space Center	Technical expertise and demonstrated leadership in detailed structural design and analysis of space flight hardware, including the Space Shuttle crew seat redesign, Orbiter landing gear, and the Space Station Interim Control Module.
Recent	Dr. Steven M. Huybrechts	United States Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland AFB	Development of revolutionary space structures that will greatly reduce cost and enhance capability of future launch and space systems.
Early	Donna L. Fender	NASA Johnson Space Center	Team leadership, persistence, and determination in the successful effort to demonstrate the feasibility of the TransHab inflatable vehicle concept.
Early	John M. Curry	NASA Johnson Space Center	Initiative and leadership in establishing the Houston Support Group at the Russian Mission Control Center in Moscow.
Mid	Dr. Philip C. Stepaniak	NASA Johnson Space Center	Pioneering efforts in aerospace medicine as the lead flight surgeon for STS-95, which paved the way for future endeavors in space flight geriatric research.
Mid	Gregory J. Harbaugh	NASA Johnson Space Center	Outstanding technical and managerial leadership of extravehicular activity planning and development necessary to support the International Space Station assembly and maintenance activities.
Mid	Linda K. Bromley	NASA Johnson Space Center	Leadership and management of the Space Station Early Communication (ECOMM) System, which will allow for continuous monitoring of the Space Station health and status, as well as an early video teleconferencing capability.
Mid	Thomas R. Hoffman	Thiokol Propulsion	Exceptional technical leadership in propellant structural and safety-related issues for the Space Shuttle solid propellant rocket motors.
Late	Dr. William C. Schneider	NASA Johnson Space Center	Enduring leadership and technical direction of special engineering studies at the Johnson Space Center, including work on the Mars TransHab and Space Shuttle meteoroid and orbital debris damage assessment.
Late	Earl Eastabrooks	United Space Alliance	Critical Mission Control Center software verification, integrated training, and valuable support to the Simulation Supervisor Office.
Late	Jay H. Greene	NASA Johnson Space Center	Attention to detail and relentless pursuit of excellence as a technical and managerial leader during the planning, development, and operation of hardware and software for the International Space Station.
Late	Paul W. Ledoux	The Boeing Company	Expertise in materials and process engineering and management during the support of Apollo, Apollo/Soyuz, Skylab, Shuttle/Orbiter, the International Space Station and other space flight programs.
Late	Thomas A. Dougherty	Lockheed Martin	Management of the NASA Discovery Program Lunar Prospector Team which enabled a return to the Moon after 25 years and the acquisition of valuable scientific lunar data.
Team	The Space Maneuver Vehicle Team	United States Air Force, Kirtland Air Force Base	Accomplishment of the first-ever successful landing of a low lift-to-drag unmanned vehicle, the X-40A, with a fully autonomous approach profile using differential GPS/INS guidance.
Team	The Thiokol Solar Thermal Propulsion Team	Thiokol Propulsion	Furthering the advancement of launch vehicle propulsion concepts, resulting in the potential to significantly reduce the cost of placing spacecraft in desired orbits.
Team	The TransHab Development Team	NASA Johnson Space Center	Successful building and testing of a full-scale TransHab demonstration unit to develop the technologies needed for the first inflatable spacecraft that will be used for human exploration and development of space.
Team	The Motorola Iridium System Team	Motorola	Development of a low-Earth-orbit satellite constellation to provide users world-wide with a global, digital, wireless communications system.

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1998 Stellar Award Winners

The 1998 RNASA Stellar Award winners in each of four categories were announced at the banquet on March 6, 1998 at Space Center Houston.

The 1998 Stellar Awards were presented by Canadian Astronaut Julie Payette, USN/NASA Astronaut Captain James D. Wetherbee, and NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin.

View full size image. Dan Goldin presents an Early Category Stellar Award to Jeff Bantle (NASA photo, 1998)	View full size image. Dan Goldin presents Mid Category Stellar Award to Capt. Frank Culbertson, Jr. (USN, Ret) (NASA photo, 1998)	View full size image. Astronauts Julie Payette and James Wetherbee presented Stellar Awards (NASA photo, 1998)	View full size image. Vicki Kloeris, John Lewis, and Nigel Packham accept the Stellar Team Award for the 90-Day Closed Chamber Lunar/Mars Support Test Crew (NASA photo, 1998)
View full size image. Dan Goldin presents a Recent Category Stellar Award to Mr. and Mrs. David H. Korth. (NASA photo, 1998)

Category	Winner	Affiliation	Citation
Recent	Capt. James R. Hunter	United States Air Force	Development of the first detailed space-campaign analysis model to measure the worth of space systems to ground and air forces, as lead of the Space and Missile Systems Center's Space Based Concept AnalysisTeam at Los Angeles Air Force Base.
Recent	David H. Korth	Barrios Technology, Inc.	Demonstrated and validated the effectiveness and suitability of International Space Station Operations Planning tools and processes, including the concept of joint Russian / U.S. planning operations.
Recent	John Chris Scott	Lockheed Martin	Successful management of Mission Control Center support of Space Shuttle flight operations and delivery of International Space Station capabilities into the Mission Control Center.
Recent	Rodolfo A. González	NASA Johnson Space Center	Flight control system development and failure detection algorithm for the Autonomous Extra-Vehicular (EVA) Robotic Camera (AERCam) Sprint project.
Early	Dr. Matthew R. Berry	United Space Alliance	Demonstrations of automation, expert systems and distributed computing concepts. His work also included technologies to improve safety and reduce costs of space operations.
Early	Jeff A. Bantle	NASA Johnson Space Center	Improvements to Shuttle ascent/entry operational procedures and safety, and for significant cost-savings to Shuttle support network operational costs.
Early	Karen D. Pickering	NASA Johnson Space Center	Technical leadership of the Phase III Lunar-Mars Support Test Program regenerative life support systems test.
Early	Kerry Switzer	The Boeing Company	Leadership in the International Space Station Pressurized Mating Adapter design, manufacturing, and test.
Mid	Capt. Frank L. Culbertson, Jr., USN (Ret.)	NASA Johnson Space Center	Planning and execution of U.S. scientific investigations aboard Mir Space Station, responses to potentially serious threats to crew safety, actions to maintain value of the research program, and the strengthening of NASA's relationship with the Russian program.
Mid	John F. Muratore	NASA Johnson Space Center	Innovative management approaches to designing and building human spacecraft for significantly lower costs than traditional approaches.
Late	Alexander McCool	NASA Marshall Space Flight Center	Development of propulsion systems for early U.S. space launch vehicles and management and performance of the Space Shuttle main propulsion system, including main engines, solid rocket boosters, reusable solid rocket motors, and external tanks.
Late	Gerald Hoskins	Naval Research Laboratory	Development, production, launches, and operation of the U.S. Navy Transit Satellites; development of the Trident II submarine navigation system; and technical leadership of the Space Based Wide Area Surveillance initiative. Other significant work included space demonstrations of remote sensing science and technology, and sustained outstanding leadership of junior scientists and engineers.
Late	James T. Hazelton	United Space Alliance	Work in planning, execution, and scheduling for all Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle flight hardware operations.
Team	The NASA/JPL Mars Pathfinder Team	NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory	Accomplishing the mission of landing robotic spacecraft on Mars and proceeding to explore the Martian surface.
Team	The 90-Day Closed Chamber Lunar/Mars Support Test Crew	NASA Johnson Space Center	Ground-based life support tests demonstrating the feasibility of regenerative life support systems technology for extended space missions.
Team	Parents, Kids, Computers and Science Program Team	The Boeing Company	Instruction in basic computer and science concepts to junior high students who do not have the benefit of computers at home, encouraging "at-risk" young people to stay in school, and stimulating student interest in science and technology.

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1997 Stellar Award Winners

The 1997 RNASA Stellar Award winners in each of four categories were announced at the banquet on March 7, 1997 at Space Center Houston.

The 1997 Stellar Awards were presented by Precinct 8 Constable Bill Bailey with NASA Astronaut Shannon Lucid.

Category	Winner	Affiliation	Citation
Recent	Jennifer D. Wagenknecht	NASA Johnson Space Center	Application of state-of-the-art methods for critical guidance, navigation and control system design and flight software development. Her efforts in this area promise to significantly reduce the time and resources required while enhancing safety and reliability of future spacecraft.
Recent	Neil W. Lemmons	United Space Alliance	Contributions as a traffic planner for International Space Station efforts, which will ensure that critical Station resupply needs are met
Early	David A. Smith	McDonnell Douglas	Efforts in developing a new space cargo delivery system which is used to re-supply the Mir Space Station. He has two patents pending for the Spacecraft Soft Stowage System, which promises to significantly reduce the cost per pound of payload to orbit.
Early	Dr. Peter Gaiser	Naval Research Laboratory,	Research in polarimetric radiometry for remote sensing of the global ocean wind vector, which will play a key role in the Navy's future space surveillance and remote sensing programs.
Mid	Dr. Neal Pellis	NASA Johnson Space Center	Pioneering research in the area of three-dimensional tissue growth in the space environment. This technology may eventually produce transplantable quantities of critical human tissues.
Mid	Mr. Bill Gerstenmaier	NASA Johnson Space Center	Efforts in developing techniques and concepts for ground operations support in the Phase 1 Mir Program, which lay the groundwork for future Space Station operations.
Late	Garth A. Hull	NASA/Ames Research Center	Mr. Garth A. Hull of the Ames Research Center is recognized for his work in developing Teacher Resource Centers and other innovative teacher programs.
Team	The Mars Meteorite Research Team		Research and analysis of Mars meteorite samples, which suggest that primitive life may have existed on Mars more than 3.6 billion years.
Team	The Shuttle-Mir Docking Team		Efforts in planning, developing, and managing efforts leading to hardware which is critical to the success of future human space efforts.

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