AIAA award winners to be honored at conferences in Anaheim

Reston, Va. - The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) will honor the winners of AIAA technical and literary achievement awards on September 1 at a noon luncheon in conjunction with the AIAA SPACE 2010 Conference & Exhibition and the 28th AIAA International Communications Satellite Systems Conference (ICSSC), being held August 29-September 2, 2010 at the Anaheim Convention Center and Hilton Anaheim Hotel in Anaheim, Calif.

The awardees are:

• Harvey Berger, technical fellow, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, Redondo Beach, Calif., will receive the AIAA Aerospace Communications Award, which is presented for an outstanding contribution in the field of aerospace communications. Berger is being recognized for his contributions to satellite communications link technology.
• Michael Gass, president and chief executive officer, United Launch Alliance, Centennial, Colo., will receive the AIAA George M. Low Space Transportation Award, which is presented for a timely outstanding contribution to the field of space transportation. Gass is being recognized for his leadership in combining the Atlas V, Delta II, and Delta IV launch vehicle programs to form United Launch Alliance, and in successfully launching 36 rockets in ULA's first 36 months.
• The STS-125 Team will receive the AIAA Haley Space Flight Award, which is presented for demonstrated leadership of innovative scientific investigations associated with space science missions. The team behind space shuttle mission STS-125 is being honored for their tremendous accomplishments in the service of science by repairing and upgrading the Hubble Space Telescope and proving the unique value of manned spaceflight. The award will be accepted by John Grunsfeld, STS-125 mission specialist and deputy director of the Space Telescope Science Institute.
• The STPSat-1 Team will receive the AIAA Space Systems Award, which is presented to recognize outstanding achievements in the architecture, analysis, design and implementation of space systems. The government-led multi-contractor team behind the STPSat-1 satellite is being recognized for the successful design, development, integration, and on-orbit tests of technologies and mission operations supporting critical U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy missions. The award will be accepted by Paul Lithgow, president, Comtech AeroAstro, Inc.
• Wanda Austin, president and CEO, The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, Calif., will receive the AIAA von Braun Award for Excellence in Space Programs Management, which is presented to recognize outstanding achievements in the architecture, analysis, design and implementation of space systems. Austin is being recognized for significant contributions in satellite acquisition, systems engineering, and system simulation, and for leadership in ensuring not only technical excellence but space mission success.
• J. D. Hunley, Chief Historian (Retired), NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif., will receive the AIAA Gardner-Lasser Aerospace History Literature Award, which is presented for the best original contribution to the field of aeronautical or astronautical historical non-fiction literature published in the last five years dealing with the science, technology and/or impact of aeronautics and astronautics on society. Hunley is being honored for his two-volume set: "Preludes To U.S. Space-Launch Vehicle Technology: Goddard Rockets to Minutemen III" and "U.S. Space-Launch Vehicle Technology: Viking to Space Shuttle."

Provided by American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics