Space Operations & Support Award Open for Nominations 10 November 2024 – 15 January 2025

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Established in 1991, the Space Operations & Support Award is presented for outstanding efforts in overcoming space operations problems and assuring success, and recognizes those teams or individuals whose exceptional contributions were critical to an anomaly recovery, crew rescue, or space failure.

This award is presented biennially (in odd-numbered years) at the AIAA AVIATION Forum/ASCEND.

Deadlines:
Accepting Online Nominations: 10 November (Even-numbered years)
Nomination Deadline: 15 January (Odd-numbered years)
Endorsement Letters Deadline: 1 February (Odd-numbered years)

Award Recipients

2017

  • Mrs Suzana O Bianco
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    Award: “ACOSS (Advanced Commercial international Space Station), Commercially Habitable LEO/Mars Habitable Module.”
    AIAA Citation: “ACOSS (Advanced Commercial international Space Station), Commercially Habitable LEO/Mars Habitable Module.”
  • Todd Quasny
    NASA Johnson Space Center
    Awarded
    Award: For leadership and innovation in working around the External Thermal Control System Loop A Flow Control Valve failure on the International Space Station
    AIAA Citation: For leadership and innovation in working around the External Thermal Control System Loop A Flow Control Valve failure on the International Space Station
  • Anthony Vareha
    Awarded
    Award: For leadership and innovation in working around the External Thermal Control System Loop A Flow Control Valve failure on the International Space Station
    AIAA Citation: For leadership and innovation in working around the External Thermal Control System Loop A Flow Control Valve failure on the International Space Station

2015

  • Wind Operations Team
    Wind Operations Team
    Awarded
    Award: -
    AIAA Citation: For exceptional ingenuity and personal sacrifice in the recovery of NASA's Wind spacecraft.

2013

  • Orbital Express Flight Operations Team
    Orbital Express Flight Operations Team
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For recovery from a post-launch anomaly which almost resulted in loss of the mission, and then successfully completing the prime mission objective resulting in becoming the first to perform an automated rendezvous, docking and servicing mission.

2003

  • Artemis Satellite Recovery Team
    Artemis Satellite Recovery Team
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For recovering ARTEMIS and demonstrating the following firsts: Optical inter-orbit satellite link, Major on-orbit reprogramming of a telecommunications satellite, Orbital transfer to geostationary orbit using ion propulsion, and Longest-ever operational drift orbit.

2001

  • NEAR Shoemaker Space Craft Mission Ops Team
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary performance in recovering the NEAR spacecraft, conducting an unplanned Eros flyby, and successfully placing the spacecraft back on course for rendezvous with Eros.

1999

  • Mr. Robert S Bokulic
    Johns Hopkins University
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary performance in recovering the NEAR spacecraft, conducting an unplanned Eros flyby, and successfully placing the spacecraft back on course for rendezvous with Eros
  • Paul Carr
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary performance in recovering the NEAR spacecraft, conducting an unplanned Eros flyby, and successfully placing the spacecraft back on course for rendezvous with Eros
  • Carolyn D Chura
    The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary performance in recovering the NEAR spacecraft, conducting an unplanned Eros flyby, and successfully placing the spacecraft back on course for rendezvous with Eros
  • Carol L Collinsa
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary performance in recovering the NEAR spacecraft, conducting an unplanned Eros flyby, and successfully placing the spacecraft back on course for rendezvous with Eros
  • Jonathan L Criss
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary performance in recovering the NEAR spacecraft, conducting an unplanned Eros flyby, and successfully placing the spacecraft back on course for rendezvous with Eros
  • Mr Owen E Dudley
    Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary performance in recovering the NEAR spacecraft, conducting an unplanned Eros flyby, and successfully placing the spacecraft back on course for rendezvous with Eros
  • Gabriella A Griffith
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary performance in recovering the NEAR spacecraft, conducting an unplanned Eros flyby, and successfully placing the spacecraft back on course for rendezvous with Eros
  • Patricia A Hamilton
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary performance in recovering the NEAR spacecraft, conducting an unplanned Eros flyby, and successfully placing the spacecraft back on course for rendezvous with Eros
  • Gene A Heyler
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary performance in recovering the NEAR spacecraft, conducting an unplanned Eros flyby, and successfully placing the spacecraft back on course for rendezvous with Eros
  • Mark E Holdridge
    Johns Hopkins University
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary performance in recovering the NEAR spacecraft, conducting an unplanned Eros flyby, and successfully placing the spacecraft back on course for rendezvous with Eros
  • Mr Jason E Jenkins
    NASA Headquarters
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary performance in recovering the NEAR spacecraft, conducting an unplanned Eros flyby, and successfully placing the spacecraft back on course for rendezvous with Eros
  • Charles T Kowal
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary performance in recovering the NEAR spacecraft, conducting an unplanned Eros flyby, and successfully placing the spacecraft back on course for rendezvous with Eros
  • Mr. Gary A Moore
    ODSC
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary performance in recovering the NEAR spacecraft, conducting an unplanned Eros flyby, and successfully placing the spacecraft back on course for rendezvous with Eros
  • Mr. T J Mulich Jr.
    Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary performance in recovering the NEAR spacecraft, conducting an unplanned Eros flyby, and successfully placing the spacecraft back on course for rendezvous with Eros
  • Robert L Nelson
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary performance in recovering the NEAR spacecraft, conducting an unplanned Eros flyby, and successfully placing the spacecraft back on course for rendezvous with Eros
  • J Courtney Ray
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary performance in recovering the NEAR spacecraft, conducting an unplanned Eros flyby, and successfully placing the spacecraft back on course for rendezvous with Eros
  • Mary K Reynolds
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary performance in recovering the NEAR spacecraft, conducting an unplanned Eros flyby, and successfully placing the spacecraft back on course for rendezvous with Eros
  • Rolland A Riehm
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary performance in recovering the NEAR spacecraft, conducting an unplanned Eros flyby, and successfully placing the spacecraft back on course for rendezvous with Eros
  • Lisa J Segal
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary performance in recovering the NEAR spacecraft, conducting an unplanned Eros flyby, and successfully placing the spacecraft back on course for rendezvous with Eros
  • Dina Tady
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary performance in recovering the NEAR spacecraft, conducting an unplanned Eros flyby, and successfully placing the spacecraft back on course for rendezvous with Eros

1997

  • Neal Ausman
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of the highly successful design, development, and operation of flight and ground systems that enabled the Galileo Orbital Mission
  • Mr. Robert Barry
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of the highly successful design, development, and operation of flight and ground systems that enabled the Galileo Orbital Mission
  • N Talbot Brady
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of the highly successful design, development, and operation of flight and ground systems that enabled the Galileo Orbital Mission
  • Dany Breda
    Thales Avionics
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of the highly successful design, development, and operation of flight and ground systems that enabled the Galileo Orbital Mission
  • Mr. KarMing Cheung
    Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of the highly successful design, development, and operation of flight and ground systems that enabled the Galileo Orbital Mission
  • Dr Leslie J Deutsch
    Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of the highly successful design, development, and operation of flight and ground systems that enabled the Galileo Orbital Mission
  • San Erickson
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of the highly successful design, development, and operation of flight and ground systems that enabled the Galileo Orbital Mission
  • Mr. Robert Gershman
    Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of the highly successful design, development, and operation of flight and ground systems that enabled the Galileo Orbital Mission
  • Joseph Gleason
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of the highly successful design, development, and operation of flight and ground systems that enabled the Galileo Orbital Mission
  • Dean Hardi
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of the highly successful design, development, and operation of flight and ground systems that enabled the Galileo Orbital Mission
  • Mr. Gary R Kunstmann
    Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of the highly successful design, development, and operation of flight and ground systems that enabled the Galileo Orbital Mission
  • Greg Levanas
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of the highly successful design, development, and operation of flight and ground systems that enabled the Galileo Orbital Mission
  • Mr James C Marr IV
    Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of the highly successful design, development, and operation of flight and ground systems that enabled the Galileo Orbital Mission
  • Mr. John B McKinley
    SAIC
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of the highly successful design, development, and operation of flight and ground systems that enabled the Galileo Orbital Mission
  • Mr. Robert A Mitchell
    Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of the highly successful design, development, and operation of flight and ground systems that enabled the Galileo Orbital Mission
  • Mr. Erik N Nilsen
    Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of the highly successful design, development, and operation of flight and ground systems that enabled the Galileo Orbital Mission
  • William O`Neil
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of the highly successful design, development, and operation of flight and ground systems that enabled the Galileo Orbital Mission
  • J Edmund Riedel
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of the highly successful design, development, and operation of flight and ground systems that enabled the Galileo Orbital Mission
  • Mr. Eugene L Saragnese
    GE
    Awarded
  • Joseph Stanton
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of the highly successful design, development, and operation of flight and ground systems that enabled the Galileo Orbital Mission
  • Dr John Zipse
    Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of the highly successful design, development, and operation of flight and ground systems that enabled the Galileo Orbital Mission

1995

  • Mr. Tom L Akers
    AeroMech Inc
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For dedication, skill and ingenuity in carrying out the First Servicing Mission for the Hubble Space Telescope
  • Kenneth Bowerssox
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For dedication, skill and ingenuity in carrying out the First Servicing Mission for the Hubble Space Telescope
  • COL Richard O Covey
    Retired f/United Space Alliance
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For dedication, skill and ingenuity in carrying out the First Servicing Mission for the Hubble Space Telescope
  • Jeffrey Hoffman
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For dedication, skill and ingenuity in carrying out the First Servicing Mission for the Hubble Space Telescope
  • Story Musgrave
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For dedication, skill and ingenuity in carrying out the First Servicing Mission for the Hubble Space Telescope
  • Prof Claude Nicollier
    EPFL
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For dedication, skill and ingenuity in carrying out the First Servicing Mission for the Hubble Space Telescope
  • Kathryn Thornton
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For dedication, skill and ingenuity in carrying out the First Servicing Mission for the Hubble Space Telescope

1993

  • Bruce Burlton
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For innovation and tenacity in successfully recovering the ANIK-E satellite from a potential mission-ending anomaly
  • Dr Neil E Goodzeit
    Lockheed Martin Space Systems
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For innovation and tenacity in successfully recovering the ANIK-E satellite from a potential mission-ending anomaly
  • Edward Haddard
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For innovation and tenacity in successfully recovering the ANIK-E satellite from a potential mission-ending anomaly
  • Dr Carl H Hubert
    Hubert Astronautics Inc.
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For innovation and tenacity in successfully recovering the ANIK-E satellite from a potential mission-ending anomaly
  • Mr. D. Jung
    Spar Aerospace Ltd.
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For innovation and tenacity in successfully recovering the ANIK-E satellite from a potential mission-ending anomaly
  • Richard Ledig
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For innovation and tenacity in successfully recovering the ANIK-E satellite from a potential mission-ending anomaly
  • Nicholas A Martens
    Retired
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For innovation and tenacity in successfully recovering the ANIK-E satellite from a potential mission-ending anomaly
  • Phillip Olikara
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For innovation and tenacity in successfully recovering the ANIK-E satellite from a potential mission-ending anomaly
  • Jack Raisch
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For innovation and tenacity in successfully recovering the ANIK-E satellite from a potential mission-ending anomaly
  • Mr. George M Reis
    Spar Aerospace Ltd.
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For innovation and tenacity in successfully recovering the ANIK-E satellite from a potential mission-ending anomaly
  • Barry Tuner
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For innovation and tenacity in successfully recovering the ANIK-E satellite from a potential mission-ending anomaly