Please see the following tables for Stellar Award winners for each category:

• Individual, Recent Graduate

• Individual, Early Career

• Individual, Mid Career

• Individual, Late Career

• Team

• Winners Prior to 1997

Please note that beginning with the 2002 Stellar Awards, the Recent Graduate category was combined with the Early Career category. Prior to 1997, the winners were not categorized by age, so those winners are on a separate page. 

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Category	Year	Winner	Company	Citation
Early	2007	Capt Brian M. Clifford	United States Air Force	Exceptional contributions as the Flight Commander for the first two Vandenberg AFB Delta IV Missions, successfully placing National Reconnaissance Office and Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) payloads in orbit in direct support of the Global War on Terror.
Early	2007	Robert Crouch	Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne	Dedication and leadership in supporting safe flight of the Space Shuttle.
Early	2007	Joshua B. Hopkins	Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company	Development of safe trajectories enabling Atlas V to carry commercial passengers, and authoring the International Reference Guide to Space Launch Systems, which has become the industry standard reference on launch vehicles.
Early	2007	Matthew P. Scudder	The Boeing Company	Significant knowledge and expertise resulting in recognition by the ISS program as the ISS expert in numerous program areas, including plasma contactor units, remote power control modules, electrical power system orbital replaceable unit firmware, and NASA’s Java mission evaluation workstation system data gathering and display software.
Early	2007	Dana J. Weigel	NASA Johnson Space Center	A history of strong technical ability and leadership resulting in her selection as a flight director in 2005, where she immediately began leading Mission Control in critical activities.
Early	2007	David R. York	The Boeing Company	Outstanding contributions in resolving critical technical issues as a result of his expertise in the area of large flexible body structural dynamics, and specifically for developing a tool currently used to calculate dynamic transient loads to help ensure the safety of the ISS crew.
Early	2006	Joseph P. Arves, II	Lockheed Martin, Michoud Ops	Exceptional accomplishments in pioneering the development of hybrid propulsion, leading to a successful sounding rocket flight test, and in 2005, the longest known burn of a large scale hybrid motor.
Early	2006	Jeremy M. Hemler	ATK Thiokol	Exceptional initiative in the design and integration of Reusable Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) testing in support of NASA's safe Return-to-Flight and "Test Before You Fly" initiatives.
Early	2006	Brian D. Krolczyk	United Space Alliance , LLC	Exceptional contributions to the development of on-orbit Space Shuttle wing leading edge repair materials and repair techniques through risk analysis and safety leadership.
Early	2006	Capt. Peter E. Muend	United States Air Force	Overcoming technical hurdles through brilliant innovation and corporate vision that has benefited multiple U.S. space programs.
Early	2006	David A. Nordling	Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne	Technical excellence in the area of advanced electric propulsion systems as well as numerous contributions to other advanced propulsion and power systems.
Early	2006	Dr. Patricia B. Schmidt	The Boeing Company	Exceptional technical leadership as EVA console shift lead in the ISS Mission Evaluation Room for the STS-114 "Return-to-Flight" mission and as co-chair of the EVA System Problem Resolution Team.
Early	2006	Darby J. Vicker	NASA Johnson Space Center	Exemplary performance and dedication in the development and application of high fidelity computational modeling analysis of launch vehicle aerodynamic environments for the Space Shuttle, helping to assure the safety of future Shuttle missions.
Early	2005	Jeffrey D. Donoughue	The Boeing Company	Outstanding leadership of the ISS electrical power system mission operations, and dedication to mentoring team members to ensure continuing effectiveness in supporting the on-orbit system.
Early	2005	Michael S. Etchells	Science Applications International Corporation	Exceptional commitment to technical excellence and vigilance in assuring that the shuttle remote manipulator system is safe, reliable and ready to meet operational demands.
Early	2005	James A. Furfaro	ATK Thiokol Inc.	Exceptional innovation and dedication in developing the solid rocket motor industry's first-ever direct measurement of propellant erosive burning characteristics, key in analyzing and testing the world's largest segmented solid rocket motor, ETM-3.
Early	2005	2Lt Eric J. Hansen	United States Air Force Research Laboratory	Leading the development of the Miniaturized Vibration Isolation System to provide a stable platform for precision space imagery and communications applications.
Early	2005	Holly E. Ridings	NASA Johnson Space Center	Exceptional level of leadership, professional responsibility, and technical expertise of the International Space Station otion ontrol ystem flight control group.
Early	2004	Elizabeth Bauer	NASA Johnson Space Center	Outstanding leadership in managing the engineering development of the ISS Human Research Facility.
Early	2004	Capt. David J. Bawcom	USAF 4th Space Operations Squadron	Outstanding leadership instrumental to the launch, checkout, and operational activation of Milstar Flight-6, and the execution of the Milstar mission, which is critical to the success of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
Early	2004	Brian P.  Boyce	The Boeing Company	Technical expertise in the field of propulsion development, including contributions to successful completion of engine development and the first flight of the RS-68 engine.
Early	2004	Natalia Robarge	TechTrans International	Outstanding leadership for the development and implementation of operational concepts and training programs for Mission Control Center interpreters to assure international mission safety and success.
Early	2004	Maral O. Sagherian	The Boeing Company	Exemplary performance and significant contributions to the ISS Program in the development, test, delivery, and on-orbit operation of the Electric Power System.
Early	2003	Angela R. Prince	NASA Johnson Space Center	Exceptional leadership of the Mission Operations Directorate’s Robotics Systems Group and successful leadership through the most challenging period of Robotic Operations in human space flight history.
Early	2003	James Y. Tsai	Boeing, Rocketdyne	Exceptional contributions to structural engineering for the International Space Station, including the development of automated stress analysis processes and tools, leading to significant cost savings.
Early	2003	Bryan M. Corley	United Space Alliance	Demonstration of exceptional technical expertise, coordination, and leadership in support of ISS trajectory operations and ISS safety as the Trajectory Operations Officer Increment-5 Lead.
Early	2003	Joseph G. Martinez	Boeing, Rocketdyne	Exceptional level of professional responsibility and technical leadership as lead system design engineer for the MB-XX cryogenic upper stage rocket engine.
Early	2003	Capt. Robert T. Bridges	United States Air Force	Outstanding leadership in developing and testing space control concepts and prototypes while laying the foundation for gaining and maintaining space superiority.
Early	2002	Paula M. Bilstein	TechTrans International, Inc.	Dedication to excellence in teaching and a commitment to the vision of international cooperation in space, during management of the JSC Language Training Program for ISS and Shuttle crews and implementation of unified training programs between NASA JSC and the Russian Space Agency.
Early	2002	Ali R. Dianaty	Boeing Rocketdyne	Exceptional contributions to the design and development of the new generation of turbopumps for booster and upper stage liquid rocket engine applications.
Early	2002	Capt. John W. Wagner	USAF Space Warfare Center	Tremendous impact on our national security space programs and the advancement of space technologies which will ensure that the U.S. maintains space superiority and remains ready to meet future challenges.
Early	2002	Timothy J. Woeste (Tim)	NASA Johnson Space Center	Successful leadership of two critical Shuttle flight tests of the ISS Space Integrated GPS/Inertial Navigation System (SIGI) Orbital Attitude Readiness Experiment, and effective management of the ISS SIGI program.
Early	2001	Michael A. Brieden	NASA Johnson Space Center	Outstanding contributions in the leadership of the Shuttle cockpit avionics upgrade effort.
Early	2001	Capt. Derek L. Geeskie	USAF 1st Space Launch Squadron	Outstanding leadership as the Air Force Launch Director for the first successful Delta III mission.
Early	2001	Susan F. Gomez	NASA Johnson Space Center	Significant contributions to successful implementation of Global Positioning System technology on the International Space Station and the Crew Return Vehicle.
Early	2001	Frank W. James	Lockheed Martin Space Operations	Significant contributions to the design and development of Extra-Vehicular Activity tools such as the Body Restraint Tether.
Early	2001	Dr. Troy E. Meink, Ph.D.	US Air Force Research Laboratory, AFRL/VSSV	Significant contribution to the future of space structures and high power solar array systems, greatly reducing the cost and enhancing the capability of future launch and space systems.
Early	2000	Dr. Kitt C. Reinhardt	Air Force Research Laboratory	Significant contribution to reducing the cost and enhancing the capability of future space power systems.
Early	2000	Kriss J. Kennedy	NASA Johnson Space Center	Significant contributions to the TransHab project, the design of the ISS alternative crew quarters, and the Mars Combo-Lander project.
Early	2000	Mark A. Bowman	Wyle Laboratories	Commitment to a working US-Russian partnership and his superior performance with integrating US hardware into Russian space vehicles.
Early	1999	Donna L. Fender	NASA Johnson Space Center	Team leadership, persistence, and determination in the successful effort to demonstrate the feasibility of the TransHab inflatable vehicle concept.
Early	1999	John M. Curry	NASA Johnson Space Center	Initiative and leadership in establishing the Houston Support Group at the Russian Mission Control Center in Moscow.
Early	1998	Dr. Matthew R. Berry	United Space Alliance	Demonstrations of automation, expert systems and distributed computing concepts. His work also included technologies to improve safety and reduce costs of space operations.
Early	1998	Jeff A. Bantle	NASA Johnson Space Center	Improvements to Shuttle ascent / entry operational procedures and safety, and for significant cost-savings to Shuttle support network operational costs.
Early	1998	Karen D. Pickering	NASA Johnson Space Center	Technical leadership of the Phase III Lunar-Mars Support Test Program regenerative life support systems test.
Early	1998	Kerry Switzer	The Boeing Company	Leadership in the International Space Station Pressurized Mating Adapter design, manufacturing, and test.
Early	1997	David A. Smith	McDonnell Douglas	Efforts in developing a new space cargo delivery system which is used to re-supply the Mir Space Station. He has two patents pending for the Spacecraft Soft Stowage System, which promises to significantly reduce the cost per pound of payload to orbit.
Early	1997	Dr. Peter Gaiser	Naval Research Laboratory,	Research in polarimetric radiometry for remote sensing of the global ocean wind vector, which will play a key role in the Navy’s future space surveillance and remote sensing programs.

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Category	Year	Winner	Company	Citation
Mid	2007	Anthony J. Ceccacci	NASA Johnson Space Center	Twenty-six years of key leadership in manned space flight, spanning flight control in all phases of shuttle flight, with unparalleled depth and breadth of systems expertise and operations experience and an exemplary record leading Mission Control as a shuttle flight director.
Mid	2007	Robert R. Cuadros	Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne	Outstanding support for the advancement of rocket propulsion systems for the nation's space programs.
Mid	2007	Kimberly B. Doering	NASA Johnson Space Center	Outstanding contributions to the safe and highly successful Space Shuttle operations to continue the assembly of the ISS in 2005 and 2006.
Mid	2007	Timothy G. Leonard	Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne	Outstanding technical excellence in development and demonstration of engine throttle technology in support of space exploration upper stage and lunar lander applications.
Mid	2007	Wanda A. Sigur	Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Michoud Operations	Outstanding leadership demonstrated during the return-to-flight effort on the Space Shuttle’s External Tank program.
Mid	2007	Christopher E. Singer	NASA Marshall Space Flight Center	Unwavering pursuit of innovative approaches to mitigate critical debris sources from propulsion elements and enable the safe return to flight of the Space Shuttle.
Mid	2007	Carson W. Sparks	United Space Alliance	Service as a lead engineer for the Mission Operations Directorate's Flight Design and Dynamics division's Ascent/Entry Flight Dynamics unit, with significant contributions to safety of flight.
Mid	2006	Casey J. Adams	The Boeing Company	Technical excellence in leading the ISS Power Lab and extensive system expertise in command and data handling, software and firmware requirements, ISS electrical power system operation, and integrated testing.
Mid	2006	Craig Clokey	United Space Alliance , LLC	Contributions beyond expectations to strengthening the Flight Safety processes, by dedicating his leadership skills and technical expertise to enhance the flight readiness process, thus successfully preparing USA and NASA for return-to-flight.
Mid	2006	Edward L. Collins, Jr.	ATK Thiokol	Significant contributions to the aerospace industry and manned spaceflight through sustained exceptional effort, coupled with keen engineering insight and technical expertise in nozzle design and engineering.
Mid	2006	Steve M. Poulos, Jr.	NASA Johnson Space Center	Outstanding leadership and management for the Space Shuttle Program in the design, development, certification and testing of the orbiter vehicle.
Mid	2006	Daniel C. Smith	Lockheed Martin Technical Operations	Outstanding technical and leadership achievements contributing to the design and superb performance of the spacecraft control laws used in the Hubble Space Telescope's Two-Gyro Science Mode.
Mid	2005	Charles L. Bennett	NASA Goddard Space Flight Center	Definitive measurement of the structure of the Big Bang, through mapping the cosmic microwave background radiation to unprecedented sensitivity and accuracy.
Mid	2005	Kim K. de Groh	NASA Glenn Research Center	Outstanding contributions to the understanding and enhancement of spacecraft materials durability, as well as exceptional mentoring and outreach efforts.
Mid	2005	Donald W. Holder	NASA Marshall Space Flight Center	Outstanding technical leadership in development of the regenerative environmental control and life support air and water systems for the International Space Station, and personal dedication in resolving technical flight hardware issues.
Mid	2005	Rick L. Howerton	The Boeing Company, Rocketdyne Propulsion & Power	Outstanding contributions to the revitalization of space nuclear power in the United States .
Mid	2005	Larry Isom	Hamilton Sundstrand	Visionary leadership in developing technologies and processes for titanium satellite propellant tanks.
Mid	2005	Jon M. Kirschenbaum	Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company	Extraordinary technical excellence in the development and operation of the Gravity Probe B space vehicle attitude and translation control system.
Mid	2005	Pamela L. Madera	United Space Alliance	Outstanding leadership in solving complex aerodynamic; thermal; structural; and guidance, navigation, and control problems; and providing solid rationale for safe human space flight.
Mid	2005	Brian J. Pechi	The Boeing Company, Rocketdyne Propulsion & Power	Contributions to advances in material technologies and outstanding technical leadership in assuring the safety of the space shuttle main engines.
Mid	2004	Paul S. Hill	NASA Johnson Space Center	Exceptional level of initiative, commitment and technical expertise while leading the Early Sighting Assessment Team in analyzing and characterizing STS-107 pre-breakup debris and impact areas for the search and recovery effort, and for leading the early development of the on-orbit inspection and repair of the orbiter Thermal Protection System.
Mid	2004	John C. Karas	Lockheed Martin Space Systems	Exceptional leadership and management contributions to the design and development of the new Atlas V family of Lockheed Martin space launch vehicles, in addition to a new launch complex, vehicle processing facility and launch operations control center to meet both government and commercial launch service requirements.
Mid	2004	Lt. Col. Alec M. Robinson	United States Air Force	Effective leadership in securing funding for the Air Force Space Program in order to develop and deploy transformational communications and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance system.
Mid	2004	Patricia J. Stratton	United Space Alliance	Instrumental management and organizational contributions to Space Shuttle operations, and for her many contributions to the success of human space flight.
Mid	2004	Richard A. Swaim	The Boeing Company	Exemplary contributions to the continuing development of excellent quality avionics and software for human space flight programs.
Mid	2003	Donald L. Carter	NASA Marshall Space Flight Center	Personal dedication, leadership, and outstanding technical accomplishment as the ISS Water Reclamation and Management Subsystem Manager, ensuring the application of sound engineering judgment and effective international negotiations to troubleshoot, resolve, and avoid on-orbit problems.
Mid	2003	Ralph R. Roe, Jr.	NASA Johnson Space Center	Motivational leadership and effective management for the Space Shuttle Program, in the design, modification, certification and testing of the orbiter vehicle.
Mid	2003	Maj. Rudolph E. Butler III	United States Air Force Space Command	Creating revolutionary ways to integrate space capabilities, and defining a process for Air Force Space Command to developing new ideas that shape Air Force space doctrine at all levels.
Mid	2003	David L. Wineland	Boeing, Rocketdyne	Outstanding achievements and accomplishments in the areas of design, development, test and continued safe flight of turbomachinery for the Space Shuttle Main Engines.
Mid	2003	Steven R. King	Lockheed Martin	Tireless work ethic, uncompromising attention to detail, and astute engineering insight, applied to a wide array of vexing challenges associated with design, development, test, and evaluation of human space vehicles and mechanisms.
Mid	2003	Laura A. Brozowski	Boeing, Rocketdyne	Outstanding project leadership and technical skills, generously and effectively provided in the design and development of the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen turbopumps for the Integrated Powerhead Demonstration Program.
Mid	2003	Stephen A. Beckel	Pratt & Whitney	Fifteen-year contribution toward the advancement of hypersonic airbreathing propulsion systems and technology, outstanding leadership and vision, and pioneering a “systems level approach” to scramjet engines and vehicle optimization.
Mid	2002	Richard D. Baily (Rick)	Boeing Rocketdyne	Excellent technical and programmatic leadership of critical Boeing rocket engine and electrical power system development programs, with notable attention to detail and organizational skills, root cause and corrective action process logic and discipline, and dedication to employee diversity.
Mid	2002	Gerald J. LeBeau (Jay)	NASA Johnson Space Center	Persistence, dedication, and creativity in the development of the Direct Simulation Monte-Carlo Analysis Code, recognized as NASA's state-of-the-art computational tool for low density flow field simulations.
Mid	2002	Dave A. Thayer (Andy)	American Pacific Corporation	Heroic and indispensable effort in preserving America's production capacity for the strategic solid rocket fuel component, ammonium perchlorate, and applying the production process to the rigorous requirements of manned space flight.
Mid	2002	David A. Weber (Dave)	United Space Alliance	Instrumental leadership in transitioning the NASA managed tasks to USA in the first years of USA's formation, and achievement of numerous successes as Deputy Director, Launch Operations.
Mid	2001	Col. Glen C. Collins	US Army Space and MIssile Defense Command / Force Development & Integration Center	Orchestration and synchronization of military space activities, leading to numerous successes in headline-news level military operations, and for operationalizing space for our nation's military forces.
Mid	2001	Dr. Richard V. Morris, Ph.D.	NASA Johnson Space Center	Outstanding leadership as an internationally recognized mineralogist and planetary scientist whose work will greatly further our understanding of the geological processes and climate of Mars, and will help pave the way for future human exploration.
Mid	2001	William C. Panter	NASA Johnson Space Center	Significant contributions to the International Space Station Program in the area of software development and integration.
Mid	2001	Dr. Janice Meck, Ph.D.	NASA Johnson Space Center	Improving the Johnson Space Center’s status in the national and international research communities by developing the cardiovascular laboratory into one that is internationally recognized for its excellence.
Mid	2000	D. Larry Clark	Lockheed