Wyld Propulsion Award Open for Nominations 10 February 2025 – 1 June 2025

Award Recipients

2024

• Prof Joseph Majdalani
  Auburn University

  Awarded

  Award: 2024 AIAA Wyld Propulsion Award

  AIAA Citation: For groundbreaking theoretical modeling and research on cyclonic rocket engines, revolutionizing the understanding of these and many other liquid, solid, and hybrid rocket engines.

2023

• Rodney L Burton
  CU Aerospace LLC

  Awarded

  Award: 2023 AIAA Wyld Propulsion Award

  AIAA Citation: For distinguished enhancement of science and innovation in the field of electric space propulsion, education of scientist engineers, and entrepreneurial leadership in aerospace engineering.

2022

• Dr Daniel J Dorney
  NASA-Marshall Space Flight Center

  Awarded

  Award: 2022 AIAA Wyld Propulsion Award

  AIAA Citation: “For his leadership, sustained contributions, and outstanding dedication to the design, development, testing, and operation of propulsion systems critical to our nation’s future in space.”

2021

• Dr Stephen D Heister
  Purdue University

  Awarded

  Award: 2021 AIAA Wyld Propulsion Award

  AIAA Citation: “For continuous leadership in advancing rocket propulsion engineering through state-of-the-art computational and experimental research and decades of mentorship of students.”

2020

• Prof Alec D Gallimore
  University of Michigan

  Awarded

  Award: 2019 Wyld Propulsion Award

  AIAA Citation: “For groundbreaking achievements and leadership in technology and workforce development that has contributed significantly to increased utilization of spacecraft electric propulsion systems.”

2019

• Dr Stanley K Borowski
  Awarded

  Award: 2019 Wyld Propulsion Award

  AIAA Citation: For sustained outstanding contributions in advanced propulsion, including the development and application of nuclear thermal propulsion for future human lunar and Mars exploration missions.

2018

• Mr T. Kent Pugmire
  Spincraft, Division of Standex International Corporation

  Awarded

  Award: 2018 Wylde Propulsion Award

2017

• Mr. John R Brophy
  Jet Propulsion Laboratory

  Awarded

  Award: For leadership and technical contributions resulting in the implementation of electric propulsion on deep-space NASA missions and enabling the Asteroid Retrieval Mission.

  AIAA Citation: Propulsion and Energy Group

2016

• Dr Gary A Flandro
  Gloyer Taylor Laboratories

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For exceptional contributions to the knowledge base and technology implementation of rocket propulsion and astronautics, especially in solid and liquid propellant rocket combustion instability and interior ballistics.

2015

• Mr R Carl Stechman
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For over 50 years of development and integration of storable rocket engines into Space Systems from Apollo, to the Space Shuttle, to Orion.

2014

• Dr Roger M Myers
  Aerojet Rocketdyne

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For sustained high-value contributions to propulsion for U.S. and international space systems and services to aerospace propulsion communities.

2012

• Prof Robert G Jahn
  Princeton University

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For pioneering research and educational leadership in the field of electromagnetic plasma propulsion for spacecraft

2011

• Prof Kenneth K. Kuo
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For numerous seminal contributions to advancements in hybrid rocket and solid rocket propulsion systems.

2010

• Russell A Ellis
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For significant improvements to solid and liquid nozzle reliability and performance through introduction and demonstration of innovative design concepts incorporating new composite materials.

2009

• Prof William A Sirignano
  University of California, Irvine

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For extensive and fundamental contributions to the advancement of chemical rocket propulsion through theories of nonsteady combustion and fluid dynamics.

2008

• Dr Paul J Wilbur
  Colorado State University

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of outstanding technical contributions and leadership in developing electrostatic thrusters and hollow cathode sources that significantly enhance commercial and government inspace propulsion capabilities.

2007

• Mr. Frederick A Boorady
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For multiple contributions to the development of numerous liquid propulsion technologies as well as developing and fielding multiple liquid propulsion systems.

2006

• Dr Frank M Curran
  Aerojet Rocketdyne

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of technical contributions and program leadership resulting in the successful development and first U.S. flight tests of arcjet, NSTAR, and Hall-effect thrusters.

2005

• Dr Ghanshyam P Purohit
  The Aerospace Corporation

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For technical expertise, leadership, and innovative contributions to hypergolic bipropellant systems and zero-gravity capillary flow devices.

2004

• Mr. Thomas L Boggs
  Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contribution to the field of solid rocket technology

2003

• Dr Stanley V Gunn
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For substantial technical achievement contributions in the areas of chemical combustion instability, hydrogen pumping, thermal management, and nuclear rocket technologies for second-generation propulsion systems

2002

• Yvonne C Brill
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For pioneering innovations in electric on-orbit propulsion systems, management leadership, and essential liquid engine and solid booster design contributions, resulting in extraordinary and sustained benefits to the US space program

2001

• Dr Franklin R Chang-Diaz
  Ad Astra Rocket Company

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For pioneering contributions toward the development of the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket, a new and visionary propulsion technology that could dramatically shorten human transit time between planets

1998

• Prof Herman Krier
  University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions in analytical and experimental studies of solid propellant combustion mechanisms and advancing the understanding of combustion stability of solid rocket motors

1997

• Dr Leonard H Caveny
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For conduct and leadership of programs in solid and electric propulsion that significantly advanced U.S. space propulsion capabilities and competitiveness

1996

• Prof Richard H Sforzini
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to expansion, improvement, and dissemination of solid propulsion technology and for fostering its application within academia and throughout the industry

1995

• Prof John R Osborn
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions in analytical and experimental studies of liquid and solid rocket propulsion combustion phenomena which contributed to the successful development of rocket propulsion systems including the Space Shuttle Main Engine and the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Motor

1994

• Dr Richard R Weiss
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For leadership in developing propulsion technology for air-launched and ballistic missiles and launch vehicles

1993

• Allan J McDonald
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For sustained professionalism, leadership, and integrity displayed throughout his career, especially during the events surrounding the loss of the Challenger and the recovery of safe shuttle operation

1992

• Robert L Sackheim
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For transforming innovative concepts into practical reliable systems which became the backbone of liquid propulsion technology

1991

• Mr Thomas Davidson
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions that led to the emergence of solid rockets as a major factor in the ballistic missiles and launch vehicles, and leadership that is paving the way for similar successes in the future

1990

• Dr J Michael Murphy
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For contributions to the field of liquid and solid propulsion technology and his notable achievement in leading the successful Shuttle Return-to-Flight “Propulsion Failure Modes and Effects/Critical Item Evaluation” program

1989

• James R Sides
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the solid propulsion community both as a scientist and manager and for an innovative leadership style which promotes high quality standard and rigid cost controls in the high volume production environment

1988

• David C Byers
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding and sustained achievement in the development of electric propulsion components and systems

1987

• A G Casey
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions and leadership in developing the propulsion technology that has been extremely successful in the Minuteman and Peacekeeper ballistic missile programs

1986

• Dominick Sanchini
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For the successful design, development and operation of the Space Shuttle Main Engine which is one of the greatest engineering accomplishments in aerospace.

1985

• Dr Rolf S Bruenner
  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For jointly inventing solid propellant bonding agent technology, allowing the construction of large motors to proceed with confidence and which increased the useful life of all composite propellant rocket motors
• Adolph Oberth
  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For jointly inventing solid propellant bonding agent technology, allowing the construction of large motors to proceed with confidence and which increased the useful life of all composite propellant rocket motors

1984

• Mr. Rudi Beichel
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding technical contributions to liquid rocket propulsion throughout a distinguished career, and in particular for his pioneering work in high chamber pressure-staged combustion, dual expander, and dual-fuel engine cycles

1983

• Gerry R Makepeace
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding leadership, dedication, and support of this nations programs in missile and space vehicle propulsion technology.

1982

• Lloyd F Kohrs
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding accomplishment in technical leadership during design and development of the Orbit Maneuvering and Aft Reaction Control propulsion systems for the Space Shuttle Orbiter

1981

• John Kincaid
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For innovative and timely contributions to the solid propulsion community as an inventor, scientist and manager of your continued outstanding technical leadership in the development of propulsion systems for tactical and strategic missiles

1980

• Howard W Douglass
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For continued and significant contributions to the basic research and technology of rocket propulsion systems

1979

• Derald A Stuart
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding achievement in the development or application of rocket propulsion systems.

1978

• William C Rice
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the development of solid propellant rocket motors and superior leadership of aerospace technology programs.

1977

• Martin Summerfield
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For pioneering combustion research and rocketry

1976

• Howard Seifert
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For leadership in the field of rocket propulsion over the past 3 decades, and for extensive contributions to the technical literature in propulsion and space systems

1975

• James Lazar
  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding leadership of this nation's advanced propulsion programs in the separate fields of nuclear and electric rocket propulsion.
• Roderick Spence
  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding leadership of this nation's advanced propulsion programs in the separate fields of nuclear and electric rocket propulsion.

1974

• Clarence W Schnare
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the field of rocket propulsion over the last 27 years.

1973

• G. W Elverum
  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding leadership and technical contribution to the dep throttling rocket engine for the Apollo lunar mission.
• Norman C Reuel
  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding leadership and technical contribution to the dep throttling rocket engine for the Apollo lunar mission.

1972

• Dr Karl Klager
  Awarded

1971

• Luigi M Crocco
  Awarded

1970

• Hans G Paul
  Awarded-CoRecipients
• Mr. Joseph G Thibodaux
  Awarded-CoRecipients

1969

• Dr Harold Kaufman
  Awarded

1968

• Harold B Finger
  Awarded

1967

• Adelbert O Tischler
  Awarded

1966

• Maurice J Zuckrow
  Awarded

1965

• Dr Werner R Kirchner
  Kirchner Industries, Inc

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to solidrocketry, including his development of the thrust-vector control and thrust reverser that made possible the use of large, solid-propellant rocket motors in ballistic missiles such as the Polaris.

1963

• Dr David Altman
  Awarded
• Maj Gen Joseph S Bleymaier
  Awarded

1962

• Mr. S. K Hoffman
  Awarded
• VADM William F Raborn
  Awarded

1961

• Harrison A Storms
  Awarded

1960

• Mr. Robert L Johnson
  Awarded
• Dr Ernst Stuhlinger
  Awarded

1959

• K J Bossard
  Awarded
• Ernest Roberts
  Awarded

1958

• Barnet R Adelman
  Awarded
• Holger N Toftoy
  Awarded

1957

• Dr William H Pickering
  Lignetics Inc

  Awarded
• Levering Smith
  Awarded

1956

• Louis G Dunn
  Awarded
• Bruce H Sage
  Awarded

1955

• D. S Miller
  Awarded
• Dr John P Stapp
  Awarded

1954

• Dr Harold W Ritchey
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the field of solid propellant rocketry and specifically for the developments which removed the size limitations of solid-propellant rockets.
• Mr. Milton W Rosen
  Awarded

1953

• Charles E Bartley
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: for outstanding contributions.

1952

• A L Antonio
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For aggressive leadership in building an outstanding research and development organization in the field of solid propellant rockets; and for the development of advanced types of solid propellant rockets for specific guided missile and assist take-off applications.

1951

• Dr William H Avery
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: for outstanding work in solid propellant rockets

1950

• COL Leslie Skinner
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: for outstanding work in solid propellant rockets

1949

• James A Van Allen
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: for outstanding work in solid propellant rockets

1948

• Frank Malina
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: for outstanding work in solid propellant rockets