2023 Stellar Awards Winners
The 2023 RNASA Stellar Award winners in each of four categories were announced at the banquet on April 28, 2023 at the Houston Hyatt Regency hotel.
The 130 nominations were evaluated by Michael Coats, Kevin Chilton, Eileen Collins, Sandra Magnus, Charles Elachi, and Michael Hawes.
A list of all the Stellar Awards nominees was printed in the 2023 program book.
The 2023 Stellar Awards were presented by Astronauts Bob Hines and Kate Rubins.
2023 Early Career Stellar Award Winners
Five awards were presented in the 2023 Early Career Category.
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L to R: Kate Rubins (presenting), Amy M. Caldwell, Dr. James S. McCabe, Jordan Olliges, Dr. Andrew J. Metcalf, Angelica D. Garcia, Bob Hines (presenting). (RNASA photo, 2023)
Amy M. Caldwell of The Boeing Company - Outstanding initiative and commitment to crewBsafety and success of the International Space Station (ISS) Environmental Controls and Life Support System (ECLSS).
Angelica D. Garcia of CACI - Exemplary performance in the enhancement of NASA's Simplified Aid For EVA Rescue (SAFER) simulation and in leading a team of engineers in developing a state-of-the-art simulation of lunar surface visuals supporting the crewed Artemis missions.
Dr. Andrew J. Metcalf of United States Space Force - Outstanding contributions in developing new spacecraft Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) and communication technologies and capabilities.
Dr. James S. McCabe of NASA Johnson Space Center - Impressive technical acumen, innovative thinking, excellent communication skills, passion for human space flight, and being the consummate unselfish team player.
Jordan Olliges of Blue Origin, LLC - Outstanding contributions building the road to space through technology and leadership, from development of reusable BE-3PM rocket engine to New Glenn's BE-3U upper stage engine.
2023 Middle Career Stellar Award Winners
Six awards were presented in the 2023 Middle Career Category.
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L to R: Bob Hines (presenting), Felipe J. Sauceda, Dr. Teems E. Lovett, Dr. Wellesley E. Pereira, Sarah Sheviakov, Kate Rubins (presenting). Not shown: Damon Erb, Dr. Steven Laurie (RNASA photo, 2023)
Damon Erb of Lockheed Martin - Technical excellence and exceptional leadership across the entire Spacecraft Mechanical Systems organization to certify all subsystems of the Orion Spacecraft for the Artemis I mission.
Dr. Steven S. Laurie of KBR - Excellence and innovation furthering the understanding of Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS) and cardio-pulmonary disciplines.
Dr. Teems E. Lovett of CACI - Outstanding leadership and technical excellence in spacecraft software and data architecture integrating complex Lunar Gateway modules into a single highly autonomous vehicle.
Felipe J. Sauceda of The Boeing Company - Outstanding leadership and flexibility in developing and executing plans for protection and efficient operation of ISS Solar Arrays.
Sarah Sheviakov of Blue Origin, LLC - Exceptional contributions and technical leadership in the development and certification of the BE-4 for next generation of American orbital rockets.
Dr. Wellesley E. Pereira of United States Space Force - Outstanding contributions to developing new intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) & missile warning technologies and capabilities.
2023 Late Career Stellar Award Winners
Eight awards were presented in the 2023 Late Career Category.
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L to R: Kate Rubins (presenting), John R. Elieson, Deneen M. Taylor, Lt. Col. Lindley N. Johnson, Rodney A. Houser, William A. Hoskins, Dr. Alison A. Nordt, Teresa M. Kulakowski, Bob Hines (presenting). Not shown: Enrique Moeller (RNASA photo, 2023)
John R. Elieson of Aerojet Rocketdyne - Career excellence for 37 years in development and fielding of Human Space and Exploration Systems.
William A. Hoskins of Aerojet Rocketdyne - Invaluable work on the NEXT-C ion engine, which was recently demonstrated aboard NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirect Technology (DART) mission.
Rodney A. Houser of United States Space Force - Outstanding leadership in advancing the Global Positioning System through acquisitions, satellite operations, launch, and ground control sustainment over 32 years.
Lt. Col. Lindley N. Johnson of NASA Headquarters - Outstanding leadership and early vision that helped establish planetary defense.
Teresa M. Kulakowski of Collins Aerospace - Outstanding electrical design contributions to the Collins Aerospace life support systems for the International Space Station and other space programs.
Enrique Moeller of Barrios - Outstanding contributions critical to the quality, safety and performance of the Commercial Crew Program, and preparation of aerial delivery platforms for both the Orion and Commercial Crew Program.
Dr. Alison A. Nordt of Lockheed Martin - Exceptional engineering and technical leadership to develop complex systems for space science missions that advance knowledge in Earth and planetary sciences, heliophysics, and astrophysics.
Deneen M. Taylor of NASA Johnson Space Center - Significant contributions to the safe continued operations of the International Space Station and Commercial Crew Program.
2023 Team Stellar Award Winners
Nine awards were presented in the 2023 Team Category.
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L to R: Bob Hines (presenting), Phuong Phan (Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) Service Life Extension Team of United States Space Force), Angela Kibler (Callisto Technology Demonstration Team of Lockheed Martin), Kathy Rice (Kennedy Space Center Weather Team), Wesley W. Wilson (KBR US Extravehicular Activity (EVA) 80 Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Processing Team), Steve VanKeuren (International Space Station (ISS) O2 Generator System/Life Support Rack (OGS/LSR) Relocation Team of The Boeing Company), Billy Cairnes (Jacobs Artemis I LH2 Replenish Valve Issue Resolution Team), Blaine Brown and Frank Lin (Orion Program Artemis 1 Mission Team of Lockheed Martin and NASA Johnson Space Center), Kate Rubins (presenting). Not shown: Crew 3 Team of NASA Johnson Space Center, 1st Range Operations Squadron of United States Space Force (RNASA photo, 2023)
1st Range Operations Squadron of United States Space Force - Outstanding teamwork in managing the world's busiest spaceport with a diverse and talented team of 73 military and government service professionals.
Callisto Technology Demonstration Team of Lockheed Martin - Significant "first-of-its-kind" achievement for human space flight technology by successfully demonstrating a next-generation crew interface system, driving advances in commercial payload integration, deep-space network operations, and human-machine interaction.
Crew 3 Team of NASA Johnson Space Center - Outstanding teamwork and support during the first Axiom-1 mission to the ISS.
International Space Station (ISS) O2 Generator System/Life Support Rack (OGS/LSR) Relocation Team of The Boeing Company - Excellence in planning and safely completing the ISS Oxygen Generator System/Life Support Rack Relocation enabling Tech Demo implementation.
Jacobs Artemis I LH2 Replenish Valve Issue Resolution Team - Extraordinary efforts to resolve a hydrogen replenish valve leak while fueling the upper stage of the Space Launch System rocket during the Artemis I launch countdown, enabling the successful liftoff of the mission.
KBR US Extravehicular Activity (EVA) 80 Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Processing Team - Successful identification of the source of anomalous water in the EVA helmet and ensuring safe and successful EVA operations for the future.
Kennedy Space Center Weather Team - Exceptional initiative, vision, and excellence in protecting NASA people, property, and assets from weather affecting their success.
Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) Service Life Extension Team of United States Space Force - Outstanding contributions to the Acquisition Strategy for Service Life Extension of Narrowband Satellite Communications Space and Ground Segments.
Orion Program Artemis 1 Mission Team of Lockheed Martin and NASA Johnson Space Center - Successful completion of the first mission around the Moon and back for a human-rated spacecraft since 1972, serving as the first step to return humans back to the surface of the Moon and beyond.
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