2015 Stellar Awards Winners
The 2015 RNASA Stellar Award winners in each of four categories were announced at the banquet on April 24, 2015 at the Houston Hyatt Regency hotel.
The 147 nominations were evaluated by former National Associate Administrator for Space Systems Development, Arnold D. Aldrich, and former National Space Trophy winners, Dr. Glynn S. Lunney, Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.), and Col. Eileen Collins, USAF (Ret.).
A list of all the Stellar Awards nominees was printed in the 2015 program book.
The 2015 Stellar Awards were presented by Astronauts Randy Bresnik and Tracy Caldwell-Dyson.
2015 Early Career Stellar Award Winners
Six awards were presented in the 2015 Early Career Category.
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L to R: Randolph Bresnik (presenting), Kyle Brewer (NASA Johnson), Frank Bremer (Lockheed Martin), Nathan Stastny (USAF Research Laboratory), Esteban Barajas (Aerojet Rocketdyne), Jason Grow (The Boeing Company), Melinda Dutton (Orbital ATK), Tracy Caldwell-Dyson (presenting) (NASA photo, 2015)
Jason Grow of Boeing - Exceptional engineering and leadership to successfully achieve full-scale space launch system core stage feedline liquid oxygen test stand design, build and test in 2014.
Esteban Barajas of Aerojet Rocketdye - Exceptional contributions to the space launch system RS-25 engine program.
Nathan Stastny of USAF Air Force Research Laboratory - Exceptional advancements in state-of-the-art automated passive relative navigation for space rendezvous and proximity operations resulting in a unique Air Force capability for space superiority during crucial space situational awareness activities.
Frank Bremer of Lockheed Martin - Technical excellence and extraordinary achievement contributing to the development and qualification of the Orion Crew Module Propulsion System for NASA's historic Exploration Flight Test-1.
Kyle Brewer of NASA Johnson Space Center - Exceptional contributions to real-time operations, implementing quality and efficiency improvements in ISS mechanisms and maintenance operations.
Melinda Dutton of Orbital ATK - Outstanding work ethic and results-driven focus enabling the resolution and implementation of corrective actions for the asbestos-free insulator replacement of the SLS Solid Rocket Booster.
2015 Middle Career Stellar Award Winners
Ten awards were presented in the 2015 Middle Career Category.
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L to R: Tracy Caldwell-Dyson (presenting), Ismael Gonzales (Lockheed Martin), Robert Bardwell (The Boeing Company), Julie Kramer White (NASA Johnson), Renee Spinhirne (Lockheed Martin), Bryan Titus (USAF), Jeffrey Wiemeri (USAF), Mark Ricciardo (The Boeing Company), Edmund Taddey (UTC Aerospace Systems), Colin Sipe (Lockheed Martin), Kristi De Grys (Lockheed Martin), Randolph Bresnik (presenting) (NASA photo, 2015)
Colin Sipe of Lockheed Martin - Outstanding development of cutting-edge composite material for the Orion Spacecraft upper aeroshell subsystem, critical for crew protection on future deep-space missions.
Edmund Taddey of UTC Aerospace Systems - Exceptional technical skill and leadership in engineering to development of systems and components for human space and unmanned space.
Bryan Titus of USAF SAF/AQS - Demonstrated history of excellent performance and leadership in space acquisitions, satellite payload processing, and on-orbit satellite anomaly resolution to ensure continued operation for a variety of satellite systems.
Renee Spinhirne of Lockheed Martin Space Systems - Outstanding technical leadership and successful execution of the integrated test campaign for avionics and system testing for MPCV EFT-1.
Julie Kramer White of NASA Johnson Space Center - Outstanding technical contributions to human space flight as the Orion Multi-purpose crew vehicle Chief Engineer.
Robert Bardwell of the Boeing Company - Outstanding technical excellence in weights and mass properties analysis and control, and innovative propellant management techniques to support shuttle, Ares I upper stage, and space launch system core stage applications.
Mark Ricciardo of Aerojet Rocketdyne - Outstanding innovation, technical excellence and support of the RL-10 program in its quest to provide sustainable and affordable propulsion solutions while maintaining its mission success legacy.
Jeffrey Wiemeri of USAF - Outstanding leadership of the Rocket Systems Launch Program Team responsible for developing and building three space missions and one target launch mission.
Ismael Gonzales of Lockheed Martin - Exceptional achievement in the design, development, and test of the state-of-the-art automated vehicle management system for the Orion spacecraft.
Kristi De Grys of Aerojet Rocketdyne - Outstanding contributions in leadership, development, and in the areas of Arcjet and Hall Current Thruster Electric Propulsion for national and international spacecraft.
2015 Late Career Stellar Award Winners
Seven awards were presented in the 2015 Late Career Category.
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L to R: Randolph Bresnik (presenting), Eric Christiansen (NASA Johnson), George Cain (Lockheed Martin), Brian Keller (Orbital ATK), David Copeland (The Boeing Company), John Jordan (Orbital ATK), Mark Geyer (NASA Johnson), Mark Caron (UTC Aerospace Systems), Tracy Caldwell-Dyson (presenting) (NASA photo, 2015)
David Copeland of the Boeing Company - Outstanding leadership in advancing science on-board the International Space Station.
John Jordan of Orbital ATK - Outstanding contributions as Orbital Chief Engineer for the highly successful Landsat-8 Development.
Mark Geyer of NASA Johnson Space Center - Exemplary Leadership in planning and executing Exploration Flight Test 1, the first beyond earth orbit flight in the nation's new Human Space Exploration Program.
Brian Keller of Orbital ATK - Outstanding leadership and technical management as Lead Engineer for Rendezvous/Proximity Operations for Orbital's Cygnus.
George Cain of Lockheed Martin - Exceptional design and development of Liquid Propulsions Systems for NASA's Deep Space Human Exploration Spacecraft achieving significant improvements in affordability and schedule.
Eric Christiansen of NASA Johnson Space Center - Outstanding leadership of the Hypervelocity Impact Technology Group in the protection of crew members and spacecraft from micrometeoroids and orbital debris.
Mark Caron of UTC Aerospace Systems - Exceptional technical skills and engineering leadership in developing systems to enable human space travel on-board ISS, Orion, and Boeing CST-100.
2015 Team Stellar Award Winners
Ten awards were presented in the 2015 Team Category.
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L to R: Tracy Caldwell-Dyson (presenting), Tim Priser (Maven Mission Team, Lockheed Martin), Carolyn Mercer (Solar Power for Electric Propulsion Team, NASA Glenn), Brian Beal (Advanced Extremely High Frequency Hall Thruster Team, USAF Research Laboratory), Laura Isaacs (Active Thermal Control System Pump Module Anomaly Resolution Team, The Boeing Company), Mark Kirasich (Orion EFT-1 NASA Management Team, NASA Johnson), Jim Bray (Orion Hardware Development Team, Lockheed Martin), Roger McNamara (Orion EFT-1 Industry Team, Lockheed Martin), Lee Rosen (Falcon 9 Launch Operations Team, SpaceX), Maria Collura (Commercial Crew Transportation Capability Source Evaluation Board, NASA Kennedy), Randolph Bresnik (presenting)
Not pictured: Thomas Flatley (Spacecube Team, NASA Goddard) (NASA photo, 2015)
Orion Exploration Flight Test-1 Industry Team of Lockheed Martin Space Systems - Successful spaceflight test of NASA's new Orion Spacecraft designed for human exploration of our solar system.
Solar Power for Electric Propulsion Team of NASA Glenn Research Center - Successful development of innovative solar array technology to enable high-power solar electric propulsion for 21st century space exploration.
Active Thermal Control System (ATCS) Pump Module Anomaly Resolution Team of the Boeing Company - Exceptional resolution of a zero fault tolerant failure of the external active thermal control system pump module on the International Space Station.
Orion EFT-1 NASA Management Team of NASA Johnson Space Center - Successful leadership of the Joint Government-Industry Team to accomplish EFT-1 while advancing management innovations and improving affordability.
Orion Hardware Development Team of Lockheed Martin Space Systems - Innovative development and manufacturing of a new spacecraft design for future deep-space exploration missions.
Advanced Extremely High Frequency Hall Thruster Team of USAF Air Force Research Laboratory - Exceptional resolution of an unexpected performance issue affecting the electronic propulsion systems onboard advanced extremely high frequency satellites.
Falcon 9 Launch Operations Team of SpaceX - Outstanding technical and operational performance leading to a remarkable pace of launch for the Falcon 9 rocket, including four back-to-back launches from July to September 2014.
Spacecube Team of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - Successful development of Spacecube Hybrid Data Processing Technology enabling the next generation of advanced space flight applications.
Maven Mission Team of Lockheed Martin - A successful orbital capture and sampling of Mars' upper atmosphere to provide answers to long-standing questions about the red planet.
Commercial Crew Transportation Capability Source Evaluation Board of NASA Kennedy Space Center - Innovative strategies enabling procurement of a safe and reliable U.S. Commercial crew transportation system to transport NASA astronauts to and from the International Space Station.
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