Aerospace Power Systems Award Open for Nominations 10 February 2025 – 1 June 2025

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The Aerospace Power Systems Award, established in 1981, is presented for a significant contribution in the broad field of aerospace power systems, specifically as related to the application of engineering sciences and systems engineering to the production, storage, distribution, and processing of aerospace power.

This annual award is generally presented at the AIAA SciTech Forum.

Deadlines:
Accepting Online Nominations: 10 February
Nomination Deadline: 1 June
Endorsement Letters Deadline: 1 July

Award Recipients

2021

  • Robert J Walters
    Awarded
    Award: 2021 AIAA Aerospace Power Systems Award
    AIAA Citation: For significant technical contributions and leadership in the area of space photovoltaic technology development and solar cell radiation damage research.

2020

  • Mr Charles William Bennett
    Lockheed Martin Space Systems
    Awarded
    Award: 2020 AIAA Aerospace Power Systems Award
    AIAA Citation: “For sustained excellence in the design and deployment of energy storage systems for unique space environments and applications.”

2019

  • Dr Judith Jeevarajan
    Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
    Awarded
    Award: 2019 Aerospace Power Systems Award
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of significant contributions to the design, development, and test of safe and reliable battery energy storage power systems for aerospace applications.

2018

  • Peter Carian
    The Aerospace Corporation
    Awarded
    Award: 2018 Aerospace Power Systems Award
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of technical excellence in space power systems architecture, electronic component design, and anomaly resolution

2017

  • Thomas W Kerslake
    NASA Glenn Research Center
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exceptional service to the aerospace space power community; invaluable technical contributions to the design, analysis, test, and on-orbit operation of photovoltaic solar arrays; and dedicated technical leadership of electrical power subsystem development resulting in multiple successful spacecraft mission deployments

2016

  • Dr Henry W Brandhorst Jr
    Retired
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For over 55 years in developing aerospace power systems with both space and terrestrial application, for providing exceptional leadership and innovation in to the aerospace power system community and academia, and for significant contributions to AIAA.

2015

  • Theodore G Stern
    SolAero Technologies
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For over 30 years of developing advanced photovoltaic power systems for spacecraft; for providing exceptional leadership and innovation in the aerospace power system community; and for significant contributions to AIAA and AIAA professional education

2013

  • Dr Geoffrey A Landis
    NASA Glenn Research Center
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For 35 years of developing advanced photovoltaic power systems for extreme space environments; providing leadership, fostering innovation, interfacing with the public; and contributing to an improved scientific understanding of operating solar power devices from the solar corona to the Martian surface and beyond.

2012

  • Robert L Wiley
    Retired
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For over 40 years of outstanding contributions in space nuclear power systems, for efforts contributing to successful development and use of radioisotope power systems, and for efforts contributing to advancement and advocacy of space nuclear reactor technologies.

2011

  • Albert H Zimmerman
    The Aerospace Corporation
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of more than 35 years of outstanding technical contributions in the fundamental understanding of battery operation its application to aerospace battery systems, and for exceptional leadership in the aerospace power system community.

2010

  • Dr Edward M Gaddy
    The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition for over 40 years of outstanding contributions in the field of space photovoltaics, for efforts to develop cost-effective improvements to solar arrays and increase the reliability of space photovoltaic systems, and for imparting knowledge on the next generation.

2009

  • Mr Paul M Stella
    Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For a career of leadership and pioneering technical contributions to the advancement of the science and engineering of space photovoltaic power systems.

2008

  • Douglas M Allen
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of over 25 years of pioneering efforts, vision, leadership, and expertise towards the advancement of space power systems and related technologies.

2007

  • Mr James Haines
    Retired - formerly ESA/ESTEC
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For sustained outstanding contributions toward the advancement of the state of the art in spacecraft electrical power systems on European and international space programs and leadership as a mentor for many young engineers.

2006

  • Richard K Shaltens
    NASA Glenn Research Center
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For nearly 30 years of pioneering efforts in the development, management and advocacy of dynamic power conversion technologies and related power systems for NASA missions and other space applications.

2005

  • Mr David M Landis
    The Aerospace Corporation
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For continued excellence in electronics design for Spacecraft Power Systems on major government programs, analysis of operational issues and leadership as a mentor for many young engineers.

2004

  • Dr Dean C Marvin
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For significant contributions to the research, development, and application of advanced space photovoltaics in support of numerous government and commercial space programs

2003

  • Paul Dick
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For a lifetime of leadership and pioneering technical accomplishments in the successful development of nuclear space power systems, including the Transit, Nimbus, Pioneer and Viking Spacecraft power sources.

2002

  • Mr. Ronald J Sovie
    NASA Glenn Research Center
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For a lifetime of personal contributions in the guidance and management of advanced space power technology research and development, including the development of a foundation for a national nuclear space power capability as Deputy Program Manager for the SP-100 program

2001

  • Mr. Chuck Lurie
    Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For a career of outstanding achievements in advancing spacecraft battery technology

2000

  • Bruce Anspaugh
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For career achievements in theoretical and empirical space solar cell radiation characterization and the generation of high altitude calibration standards for the aerospace community

1999

  • Dr Clyde P Bankston
    Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of Perry Bankston''s career achievements and leadership in the research, development, and application of aerospace power technology, including solid state microdevices and materials, electric space power sources, and energy storage devices.

1998

  • Mr. Richard E Quigley Jr
    ASRL/PR
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of Richard Quigley’s career achievements in the field of aerospace power system technology, most significantly his leadership and tireless efforts to demonstrate the benefits of the More Electric Aircraft concept

1997

  • Mr. Jack N Brill
    EaglePicher Technologies LLC
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For technical, marketing, and managerial leadership toward the advancement of Nickel-Hydrogen battery technology as a viable energy storage candidate for commercial and military aerospace applications

1996

  • Vincent Truscello
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of exceptional managerial and technical contributions to the Space Nuclear Power Program as the SP-100 Project manager form 1983-1994

1995

  • Dr Gary L Bennett
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding leadership of the Ulysses radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) program, which provided the most advanced, highest power space RTG design flown to date
  • Mr. Richard J Hemler
    Martin Marietta Corporation
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding leadership of the Ulysses radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) program, which provided the most advanced, highest power space RTG design flown to date
  • James Lombardo
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding leadership of the Ulysses radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) program, which provided the most advanced, highest power space RTG design flown to date

1994

  • Lowell D Massie
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For over 30 years of achievement and leadership in the development of aerospace power technology that has led to successful application in current space power systems

1993

  • G Ernest Rodriquez
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of sustained outstanding contributions toward the advancement of the state of the art in spacecraft electrical power systems and power systems electronics technology

1992

  • Sanjiv Kamath
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For research and development of the first large area high efficiency GaAs solar cells for space applications, including development of the infinite melt liquid phase epitaxy process for their commercial production

1991

  • Mr. Frederick E Betz
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For leadership and technical contributions in the areas of research, development, test and evaluation of aerospace power sources and storage systems

1990

  • Voyager/Galileo Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) Team - NUS Corporation
    Voyager/Galileo Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) Team - NUS Corporation
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For successfully completing a range of risk and environmental studies including the preparation of the nuclear risk analysis portion of the safety analysis report.
  • Voyager/Galileo Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) Team - EG&G Mound Applied Technologies,Inc
    Voyager/Galileo Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) Team - EG&G Mound Applied Technologies,Inc
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For the successful fabrication of the isotope heat sources, for the successful assembly and testing of the GPHS-RTGs, and for the completion of the safety analysis report for the radioisotope heater units on Galileo.
  • Voyager/Galileo Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) Team - General Electric Company GE Power
    Voyager/Galileo Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) Team - General Electric Company GE Power
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For the design and development of the world's most advanced space RTGs, for the successful system integration, and for completion of the most detailed safety analysis report yet prepared for a nuclear space mission.
  • Voyager/Galileo Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) Team - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    Voyager/Galileo Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) Team - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For the successful achievement of launch approval, for the successful integration of the RTGs with the spacecraft, and for outstanding mission control and power management.
  • Voyager/Galileo Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) Team - Johns Hopkins University
    Voyager/Galileo Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) Team - Johns Hopkins University
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For completing a series of experiments designed to elucidate the reentry response of the heat source, and for completing a number of complex reentry calculations in support of the radioisotope heater units analyses.
  • Voyager/Galileo Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) Team - Martin Marietta Energy Systems
    Voyager/Galileo Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) Team - Martin Marietta Energy Systems
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For the successful production of the iridium alloy that was essential for the encapsulation of the fuel pellets, and for the successful production of the thermal insulator sleeves for safe reentry in postulated accidental reentries.
  • Voyager/Galileo Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) Team - Westinghouse Savannah Corporation
    Voyager/Galileo Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) Team - Westinghouse Savannah Corporation
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For the successful production of the Plutonium-238 oxide fuel and fuel pellets, and for the successful encapsulation of the pellets ahead of schedule.
  • Voyager/Galileo Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) Team-Fairchild Space and Defense Corporation
    Voyager/Galileo Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) Team-Fairchild Space and Defense Corporation
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For developing the GPHS-RTG concept, and for completing some extremely complex hydrocode calculations of RTG responses to impacts, fragments, and explosions in support of the safety analysis report.
  • Voyager/Galileo Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) Team - Los Alamos National Laboratory
    Voyager/Galileo Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) Team - Los Alamos National Laboratory
    Awarded
    Award: .
    AIAA Citation: For the successful development of the fuel form, and for the outstanding performance in completing safety tests and analyses on an extremely tight schedule.

1989

  • William Billerbeck
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For major contributions to the advancement of the state-of-the-art in spacecraft power systems. His achievements extend from original concepts and research and development to supervision of major spacecraft power systems development

1988

  • Charles Badcock
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For expertise in energy storage which constituted outstanding contributions as TC chairman, author and recruiter, and for his faithful service to the AIAA, we fondly remember and honor him.

1987

  • Mr. Gerrit Van Ommering
    SSL, a Maxar Technologies company
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For technical achievements and contributions in the invention, design, engineering development and flight development of spacecraft nickel-hydrogen batteries, including the pioneering effort culminating in the first operational flight of this system

1984

  • Mr. Stephen J Gaston
    GE
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For providing technical leadership in the diverse disciplines associated with electro-chemical storage design and development. His contributions have been realized in the long-life batteries on the RCA SATCOM satellites. His efforts continue to advance the applications of the electro-chemical energy storage

1983

  • Mr. Hans S Rauschenbach
    T R W Inc
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For providing technical leadership in the diverse disciplines associated with solar array design and development. His contributions have been realized on such systems as TDRSS and form the basis for advanced space photovoltaic systems and concepts.

1982

  • Mr. Theodore J Ebersole
    Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For developing an autonomous high performance power system that was used on three major spacecraft. This system manages battery charge and discharge autonomously, accommodates failure and is hardened to service nuclear radiation exposure