| Michael Griffin - RNASA Winner for 2009 |
| Editor: Gonzalez, Rodolfo A. |
| Posted on Jan 29 2009 |
 | The Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation's
National Board of Advisors has selected former NASA Administrator
Michael D. Griffin to receive its highest honor, the National Space
Trophy. The award has been presented annually for the past 23 years to
an individual who has excelled in furthering national goals in the
field of space.
Rodolfo González, President of the RNASA
Foundation in Houston and member of Space Center Rotary Club, reported that Griffin will be presented
the National Space Trophy at the RNASA annual black-tie banquet
to be held on Friday, May 8, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency Houston.
|
González reported that Griffin was selected for the National Space
Trophy for: developing the plan for completion of the International
Space Station following the loss of Space Shuttle Columbia, personally
directing the shuttle return-to-flight activities; initiating the first
procurement of commercial cargo and crew service in the agency's
history; successfully establishing the architecture for a sustainable,
achievable, and technically viable human exploration program; and
awarding the initial spacecraft and launch vehicle contracts that will
ensure the program meets its demanding schedule.
Griffin is also
being recognized for the impressive series of senior government and
industry executive positions he held prior to being named NASA
administrator. These positions include Space Department head of the
John Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab where he oversaw and
directly supervised the final preparation, launch, and early mission
operations for the MESSENGER spacecraft to Mercury; president and COO
of In-Q-Tel, where he led a private non-profit, strategic venture
capital organization created to identify and develop advanced
technologies for Central Intelligence Agency applications; and
executive positions with Orbital Sciences Corporation, Space Industries
International, and American Rocket Company; service as the NASA chief
engineer and associate administrator for Exploration; and the deputy
for technology for the Department of Defense's Strategic Defense
Initiative Organization (SDIO).
A strong advocate for education,
Griffin holds six postgraduate degrees and has served as an adjunct
professor and lecturer at three different universities. He is also the
lead author for more than two dozen technical papers as well as writing
the definitive textbook on space vehicle design.
Former Apollo
astronaut and 2008 Trophy winner Capt. Eugene Cernan said, "Mike
Griffin has made an enormous contribution to the American Space Program
throughout his career as a scientist, engineer, and manager. Few people
understand the challenges and rewards of spaceflight like he does. Mike
has been a visionary, but with a realistic and pragmatic approach to
the challenges he has faced. Above all, Mike Griffin recognizes the
positive educational impact of our nation's space program on the youth
of America."
RNASA Advisor and former Space Shuttle astronaut
Capt. Ken Reightler added, "Mike Griffin is one of those rare
individuals who is not afraid to tackle even the most difficult
engineering and management issues, such as those NASA has faced while
implementing the U.S. Space Exploration Policy and during the
return-to-flight activities after the Columbia accident.
Griffin
will receive his trophy at the RNASA annual black-tie banquet to be
held on Friday, May 8, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency Houston. Veteran
space correspondent Miles O'Brien will serve as Master of Ceremonies.
Information on corporate sponsorship opportunities and other program
information are available on the Foundation's Web site:
http://www.rnasa.org.
The nonprofit Rotary National Award for
Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation was established by the Space
Center Rotary Club of Houston in 1985 to organize and coordinate an
annual awards event to recognize outstanding achievements in space and
create greater public awareness of the benefits of space exploration.
For more information, contact:
Marianne Dyson, mdyson@rnasa.org. |
