Lawrence Sperry Award Open for Nominations 1 June 2025 – 1 September 2025

Award Recipients

2024

• Ms Michelle N Banchy
  NASA Langley Research Center

  Awarded

  Award: 2024 AIAA Lawrence Sperry Award

  AIAA Citation: For exceptional technical contributions in the field of aerodynamic design toward the development and application of natural laminar flow systems.

2023

• Dr Phillip J Ansell
  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  Awarded

  Award: 2023 AIAA Lawrence Sperry Award

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to electrified aircraft technologies and pioneering work toward sustainable aviation.

2022

• Michael P Snyder
  Redwire (Formerly Made in Space)

  Awarded

  Award: 2022 AIAA Lawrence Sperry Award

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding and notable contributions to advance in-space additive manufacturing to ensure safer, sustainable spaceflight missions and manufacturing industrial products to benefit Earth.”

2021

• Prof Benjamin Jorns
  University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

  Awarded

  Award: 2021 AIAA Lawrence Sperry Award

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of his seminal experimental and theoretical work on wave-driven effects in Hall thrusters and his contributions to the development of advanced thruster technologies.

2020

• Dr Patrick R C Neumann
  Neumann Space

  Awarded

  Award: 2020 Lawrence Sperry Award

  AIAA Citation: For continued development of miniature electric spacecraft propulsion systems and ceaseless advocacy for the development of Australian space capabilities

2019

• Dr Katya M Casper
  Sandia National Laboratories

  Awarded

  Award: For outstanding and notable contributions to fundamental understanding of boundary layer transition and fluid-structure interactions in hypersonic flows through novel diagnostics with national program impact

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding and notable contributions to fundamental understanding of boundary layer transition and fluid-structure interactions in hypersonic flows through novel diagnostics with national program impact

2018

• Dr Michael D West
  Department of Defence

  Awarded

  Award: "For significant contributions to AIAA and the Australian aerospace sector through policy, education, and significant scientific research activities”

  AIAA Citation: "For significant contributions to AIAA and the Australian aerospace sector through policy, education, and significant scientific research activities”

2017

• Karen T Berger
  NASA-Langley Research Center

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to hypersonic boundary layer transition through supporting Space Shuttle in-orbit damage assessment and leading the Shuttle Boundary Layer Transition Flight Experiment Project.

2016

• Dr Joshua Rovey
  University of Illinois

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For exceptional contributions to research in the areas of plasmadynamics and space propulsion, and to the AIAA Missouri S&T Student Branch.

2015

• Dr Jeremy T Pinier
  NASA LaRC

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For significant technical accomplishments and leadership in the aerodynamic design and development of the next U.S. crew and heavy-lift launch vehicles.

2014

• Dr Kimberley C Clayfield
  CSIRO Space Sciences & Technology

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For significant and sustained contributions to the development of the Australian aerospace sector through national public policy, scientific leadership, and education activities.

2013

• Dr Eric J Ruggiero
  GE

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For innovation and leadership in turbo-machinery seals technology.

2012

• Prof Hamsa Balakrishnan
  Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For the development and implementation of advanced air traffic management techniques leading to significant environmental improvements.

2011

• Dr M. Brett McMickell
  Honeywell International, Inc.

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For proven leadership in the area of small satellite technology with focus on the advancement of momentum and structural control systems.

2010

• Prof Mitchell L Walker II
  Georgia Institute of Technology

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For technology advances in the field of electric propulsion and contributions to aerospace education.

2009

• Dr Adam Rasheed
  GE Global Research Center

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding technical contributions to high-speed propulsion concepts, hypersonics and pulse detonation engines and for innovative research in propulsion.

2008

• Dr Ryan P Starkey
  Raytheon Missile Systems

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions in multidisciplinary hypersonic vehicle design and propulsion/airframe integration/optimization for both access to space and hypersonic cruise vehicles, and computational chemistry for combustion and plasma analysis.

2007

• Dr Amy Pritchett
  Pennsylvania State University

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For advancing the science of human cognition and applying it to engineer important aerospace applications.

2006

• Lynn Nicole Smith
  NASA Glenn Research Center

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of exceptional contributions to the aerospace industry through programmatic and technical excellence and for outstanding leadership with NASA and AIAA.

2005

• Prof Tim C Lieuwen
  Georgia Institute of Technology

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to understanding of combustion dynamics and commitment to aerospace engineering education.

2004

• Dr Jeffrey D Jordan
  NASA-Langley Research Center

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For significant contributions to a broad range of aerospace research programs through the development and application of advanced measurement trechniques and innovative sensing technologies

2003

• Dr Myles L Baker
  M4 Engineering, Inc.

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For significant technical contributions in the fields of aeroelasticity, structural analysis, and optimization

2002

• Prof Edward C Smith
  The Pennsylvania State University

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For extraordinary leadership as founder of a national rotorceaft technology center; for pioneering research in aeroelasticity of composite rotors; and for dedication to aerospace engineering education

2001

• Dr Keith A Comeaux
  Jet Propulsion Laboratory

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For significant contributions to the development of the xenon ion propulsion (XIPS) orbit raising, and station change mission architectures on the HS702 satellite

2000

• Dr Anna-Maria R McGowan
  NASA-Langley Research Center

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For significant contributions to the DARPA/AF/NASA smart wing program enabling successful wind-tunnel demonstrations of the world’s two most advanced wings with embedded smart materials

1999

• Dr Robert D Braun
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: Non-equilibrium gas flows and their application to aerospace systems

1998

• Dr Iain D Boyd
  University of Michigan

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to physical models and the development, implementation, and verification of numerical techniques for predicting

1997

• Dr John Kallinderis
  University of Texas at Austin

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For work that has led to orders of magnitude improvements in efficiency of computational fluid dynamics and help in tremendously improving our ability to carry out large-scale simulations

1996

• Dr Penina Axelrad
  University of Colorado Boulder

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For research in the field of Global Positioning Systems Applications

1995

• Dr William P Schonberg
  Missouri University of Science and Technology

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions in the analysis and design of orbital debris protection systems for safe space travel and operations

1994

• Dr William K Anderson
  NASA Langley Research Center

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For pioneering advancements in the development and application of computational algorithms to solve complex, steady and unsteady, aerodynamic problems

1993

• Prof Tim Barth
  NASA-Ames

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For fundamental and outstanding contributions in algorithm development and turbulence modeling for computational fluid dynamics

1992

• Dr John T Batina
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the development and application of computational fluid dynamic methods for the prediction of unsteady transonic aerodynamics and aircraft aeroelastic response

1991

• Prof Mark Drela
  Massachusettes Institute of Technology

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For contributions of a method design subsonic airfoils and for his demonstration of his airfoil in Human Powered Aircraft

1990

• Prof Ilan M Kroo
  Stanford University

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For imaginative use of the personal computer that is revolutionizing aerospace design education, and for extraordinary variety of research and teaching achievements in applied aerodynamics, flight-vehicle design and optimization

1989

• Dr Case P Van Dam
  University of California-Davis

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For major innovative contributions in applied aerodynamics related to lift-induced vortex drag minimization design integration and optimization of novel aerodynamic concepts for aircraft, including natural laminar flow

1988

• David W Thompson
  Orbital ATK

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For imaginative leadership in creating space enterprise and advancing space technology, conception and direction of the privately funded Transfer Orbit State development, which sets new standards for reliability, performing and delivery economy of satellite payloads

1987

• James L Thomas
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For major contributions in experimental aerodynamics and in the analysis of inviscid and viscous flow, particularly for the development of subsonic panel methods and an efficient relaxation solution method for upwind-differenced, flux-split Navier-Stokes equations

1986

• Dr Parviz Moin
  Stanford University

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For pioneering work in the field of large eddy simulation of turbulent flows, establishing the scientific credibility of computer-generated turbulent databases, and making the first application of the characteristic decomposition of turbulence

1985

• Dr Vijaya Shankar
  HyPerComp, Incorporated

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For developing an advanced supersonic computational method based on the full potential equation and notable contributions to transonic figuration design and analysis techniques

1984

• Sally Ride
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions during the STS-7 Mission, June 18-24 1983, including superb execution of the first single joint track and capture of a free-flying satellite, and for pioneering contribution as the first American woman in space.

1983

• Mr. Luat T Nguyen
  NASA-Langley Research Center

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For the development of control system concepts that have been widely accepted and used in current generation fight aircraft for improving maneuverability and departure/spin resistance

1982

• Jeffrey N Cuzzi
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For advancing the understanding of the nature and structure of planetary rings and their associated particles by both theoretical and observational methods as well as leadership in the development of scientific strategy for the Voyager-Saturn encounter.

1981

• Mr. Charles W Boppe
  Draper Lab

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For developing an advanced computational aerodynamic method which is used in the analysis of complex aircraft configurations at transonic speeds

1980

• Dr William F Ballhaus
  Aerospace Corp

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For advancing computational fluid dynamic as a practical tool for improving designs of transonic aircraft through the development of applicable and efficient numerical methods and computer codes and through fostering their implementation in the aeronautical community.

1979

• Dr David A Caughey
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions toward the efficient numerical computation of transonic flow fields about complex configurations of practical significance.

1978

• Dr Paul Kutler
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For furthering the understanding of supersonic aerodynamics through development of numerical methods that solve flow fields with intricate shock and expansion wave interactions

1977

• Mr Joseph L Weingarten
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding professional competence, initiative, and creativity in the development of criteria for cargo movement, in both aircraft and spacecraft, and for your effort in achieving a high degree of air transportability for the Department of Defense

1975

• Dennis M Bushnell
  NASA Langley Research Center

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For significant advances in the state-of-the-art for predicting complicated fluid mechanics phenomena such as the two phase flows resulting from fluid infection during reentry flight; the heating of interfering flows involving multiple shock systems and separation; and the flow of compressible turbulent shear layers and boundary layers

1974

• Mr. Jan R Tulinius
  Rockwell International Corp

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For the development of practical advancement theoretical aerodynamic design methods combined with the unique adaptation of computer techniques to realize maximum efficiency for the determination of advanced air vehicle characteristics

1973

• Dr Dino A Lorenzini
  SpaceQuest Ltd.

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For developing a modern inertial guidance test facility which incorporates current technology in the areas of computer control, data acquisition, sensor excitation and seismic isolation

1972

• Dr Sheila E Widnall
  Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For contributions to the understanding of vortex flows in wing wakes, aerodynamic noise and lifting surface theory

1971

• Mr. Ronald Berry
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For many outstanding achievements in the field of manned space flight, particularly in lunar mission analysis and design development.

1970

• Glenn Lunney
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding performance as a flight director during the Gemini and Apollo manned space flight missions and exceptional leadership, professional skill, and personal dedication which contributed to the success of this nation’s first manned lunar mission and particularly during the flight of Apollo 13 when you and your team directed the return of the damaged spacecraft following an explosion in space.
• Dr Glynn S Lunney
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding performance as a flight director during the Gemini and Apollo Manner space flight missions and exceptional leadership, professional skill, and personal dedication contributed to the success of this nation’s first manned lunar mission, and particularly during the flight of Apollo 13 when you and your team directed the return of the damaged spacecraft following an explosion in space.

1969

• Edgar C Lineberry Jr.
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For significant advancement of the field of rendezvous mechanics through development of the spacecraft maneuver logic and associates control techniques and formulation of the mission plans which contributed decisively to the success of all rendezvous operations conducted during the U.S. manned space flights.

1968

• Roy V Harris
  Awarded

1967

• Eugene F Kranz
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For imaginative use of the personal computer that is revolutionizing aerospace design education, and for extraordinary variety of research and teaching achievements.

1966

• Joe H Engle
  The Stafford Task Force

  Awarded

1965

• Rodney C Wingrove
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For precise calculations toward minimizing total heat on a spacecraft during re-entry, enabling success of NASA’s early space programs.

1964

• Daniel M Tellep
  Awarded

1962

• Robert O Piland
  Awarded

1961

• Douglas G Harvey
  Awarded

1960

• Robert B Howell
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For contributions to development of advanced theoretical guidance and control techniques.

1959

• Prof James E Mc Cune
  M I T

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For research contributions.

1958

• Dr Robert G Loewy
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For work on rotary-wing aircraft.

1957

• Mr. Clarence A Syvertson
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For solving problems at flight at speeds 30 times that of sound.

1956

• Mr. George F Jude
  Terraces 6240

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For contribution to the advancement of precision automatic flight control and safe all-weather flight.

1955

• Giles J Strickroth
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For contributions to the development of guidance system for the Matador.

1954

• Mr. A. S Crossfield
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For important contributions in aeronautical flight research, especially at transonic and supersonic speeds up to Mach 2

1953

• Prof Donald E Coles
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For fundamental contributions to the understanding of supersonic skin friction.

1952

• Dr Dean R Chapman
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For contributions to the basic knowledge of skin friction base pressure, and heat transfer at supersonic speeds.

1951

• Mr. Robert C Seamans Jr.
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For system of determining dynamical characteristics of an airplane and matching them to automatic controls by measuring the pulse excitement response in flight.

1950

• Mr. Frank N Piasecki
  Piasecki Aircraft Corporation

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the design and development of helicopters.

1949

• Dr Alexander H Flax
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For significant additions to the methods available for determining dynamic behavior of airplanes, helicopters, and missiles.

1948

• Dr Allen E Puckett
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the design and development of supersonic wind tunnels.

1947

• N A M Gaylor
  Awarded

1946

• Peter R Murray
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For radio control systems for guided missiles and pilotless aircraft.

1945

• Richard Hutton
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the development of carrier-based aircraft.

1944

• Mr. William H Phillips
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contribution in the field of stability and control of aircraft.

1943

• William B Bergen
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For theoretical and experimental studies of dynamic loads on airplanes.

1942

• Edward C Wells
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the art of airplane design, with special reference to four-engined aircraft.

1941

• Ernest G Stout
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For contribution to the experimental determination of hydrodynamic stability of model flying boats and seaplanes.

1939

• Mr. Charles M Kearns Jr.
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For successful application of methods of measuring propeller vibration stresses in flight.

1938

• Russell C Newhouse
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For development and first practical application of the terrain clearance indicator.

1937

• Clarence L Johnson
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For important improvement of aeronautical design of high-speed commercial aircraft.

1936

• William C Rockefeller
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For application of aerodynamics and meteorology in determining the optimum flight path in air transport operation.