HONORING SPACE ACHIEVEMENT

The Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) was founded by the Space Center Rotary Club of Houston, Texas 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. The first awards event was held in 1987. Since then, the organization has honored 23 individuals Winners with a black-tie banquet event where they are presented with the National Space Trophy, a professional portrait (displayed afterwards at Space Center Houston), and an Omega watch.

The 2009 recipient was former NASA Administrator Michael D. Griffin, PhD. Please see the Press and Trophy Winner pages for press releases, photos, and biographical information. The Agenda page lists banquet speakers.

THE NATIONAL SPACE TROPHY

Nominations for the recipient of the National Space Trophy are submitted by leaders in government, industry, professional organizations, and the media. A ballot is voted upon by the RNASA's Board of Advisors, all individuals intimately involved with the space program, including NASA center directors, presidents of aerospace corporations, military, newsmedia, academic, and political leaders, and previous trophy winners. Their confidential votes are tabulated by an independent accounting firm. The winner is presented with the National Space Trophy at a black-tie gala held in the spring of each year.

STELLAR AWARDS

In addition to the National Space Trophy, nominations for Stellar Awards for individual and team achievements are also solicited each year from the government, military, and industry. In order to ensure recognition of individuals at all stages of their careers, nominations are solicited in four categories: early career, mid-career, late-career, and teams. The nominations are reviewed by a committee of distinguished scientists, engineers, managers, and academicians who select the winners based on whose accomplishments hold the greatest promise for furthering future activities in space. All nominees are invited for a special day of activities at Johnson Space Center and the winners in each category are announced at the spring gala. The list of winners is posted on the Stellar Winners page.

COMMUNICATOR AWARD

The Foundation also periodically selects an individual or team for the Space Communicator Award. This award is for an important professional contribution to the public's understanding of and appreciation for the accomplishments of the American space program. This category extends to communicators of all varieties including journalists, government public affairs professionals, industry public relations professionals, broadcasters, publishers, and public figures.

SPONSORS

RNASA is supported by sales of banquet Tables and congratulatory advertisements in the souvenir Program Book. Proceeds remaining after each year's event are donated to an organization involved in aerospace education. RNASA is grateful for the participation of NASA, the Department of Defense, academic organizations, and the generous support it has received from corporate Sponsors. This support assures the continued recognition of outstanding achievements by United States' citizens in the area of space exploration.

RNASA is not a 501(c)3 charitable organization.

Copyright 2009, Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Foundation

Send comments or corrections to: Marianne Dyson, dyson@rnasa.org

Last Update: 7-2-09