The Space Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports the global space industry through information and education programs. It is a resource for the entire space community - industry, national security organizations, civil space agencies, private space companies and the military around the world. It also supports educators, students and journalists with information and education programs.
The Space Foundation annually hosts major industry events, including the National Space Symposium[1] in Colorado Springs, Colo. In 2011, more than 9,000 people participated in the 27th National Space Symposium. The 28th National Space Symposium is scheduled for April 16-19, 2012.
In 2011, the Space Foundation was designated by The NonProfit Times and Best Companies Group as among the Best Non-Profit Organizations to Work for 2011. [2] It was the only Colorado-based organization to make the list and ranked number 19 out of the 50 organizations honored nation-wide.
Recipients of the General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award include:
| Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Gen. Thomas S. Moorman, Jr.,USAF, Ret.[3] |
| 2011 | Charles Elachi, Ph.D.[4] |
| 2010 | Capt. John W. Young, USN (Retired)[5] |
| 2009 | The Honorable Peter B. Teets[6] |
| 2008 | Hans Mark, Ph.D. |
| 2007 | Simon Ramo, Ph.D. |
| 2006 | Buzz Aldrin, Ph.D. |
| 2005 | The Honorable Edward C. Aldridge, Jr. |
| 2004 | The late Gen. Bernard A. Schriever, USAF (Retired) |
| 2003 | Capt. James A. Jim Lovell, Jr., USN (Retired) |
| 2002 | Norman R. Augustine |
Winners of the Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award include:
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Charles County (Md.) Public Schools Superintendent James E. Richmond [7] |
| 2010 | Allen V. Robnett[8] |
| 2009 | Ricardo V. Soria[9] |
| 2008 | Kevin L. Simmons |
| 2007 | Luther W. Richardson |
| 2006 | Kathy R. Brandon |
| 2005 | Ronald F. Dantowitz |
| 2004 | Charles Geach |
| 2003 | Brian Copes |
| 2002 | Thomas F. Hunt, Frank E. Waller |
| 2001 | Lori Byrnes |
Winners of the Douglas S. Morrow Public Outreach Award include:
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Space Journalists Jay Barbree (NBC News), Marcia Dunn (The Associated Press) and Bill Harwood (CBS News)[10] |
| 2010 | Leonard Nimoy[11] |
| 2009 | Neil deGrasse Tyson, Ph.D.[12] |
| 2008 | Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts |
| 2007 | Col. Eileen M. Collins, USAF (Retired) |
| 2006 | Tom Hanks |
| 2005 | The Ansari X-Prize Foundation |
| 2004 | LIFE Magazine |
| 2003 | Robert T. McCall |
| 2002 | The late Gene Roddenberry and Majel Barrett Roddenberry |
| 2001 | Popular Science Magazine |
| 2000 | Space Awareness Alliance |
| 1999 | The Crew of the Space Shuttle Mission STS-95 |
| 1998 | NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory |
| 1997 | The Cable News Network (CNN) |
| 1996 | The Apollo 13 (Film)Team |
| 1995 | Discovery Communications, Inc. |
Winners of the Space Achievement Award include:
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2011 | SpaceX and Télécoms Sans Frontières[13] |
| 2010 | Hubble Space Telescope Repair Mission Team[14] |
| 2009 | China's Shenzhou 7 Mission[15] |
| 2008 | United States Air Force |
| 2007 | Bigelow Aerospace |
| 2006 | The U.S. Titan Launch Vehicle Team: Lockheed Martin, United States Air Force, The Aerospace Corporation, NASA |
| 2005 | SpaceShipOneTeam |
| 2004 | Ariane 4 Launch Team |
| 2003 | U.S. Air Force Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Team; Lockheed Martin Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Team; The Boeing Company Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Team |
| 2002 | NASA/Industry Galileo Space Probe Team and the men and women of United States Space Command and its component organizations |
| 2001 | Hubble Space Telescope Team |
| 2000 | Sea Launch |
| 1999 | NASA-Boeing International Space Station Team |
| 1998 | Gen. Thomas S. Moorman, Jr., USAF (Retired) |
| 1997 | Capt. James Jim Lovell, USN (Retired) |
| 1996 | American Astronautical Society |
| 1995 | Air University (United States Air Force) |
Winners of the John L. Jack Swigert, Jr., Award for Space Exploration include:
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2011 | No Award |
| 2010 | The Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) mission team |
| 2009 | NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander Team[17] |
| 2008 | Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency |
| 2007 | The California Institute of Technology |
| 2006 | Buzz Aldrin, Ph.D. |
| 2005 | NASA's Mars Exploration Team from Jet Propulsion Laboratory |
| 2004 | President George W. Bush |
The Space Foundation, in cooperation with NASA,[18], has conducted the Space Technology Hall of Fame[19] since 1988, inducting dozens of technologies and honoring hundreds of organizations and individuals that transform technology originally developed for space exploration into products that help improve the quality of life here on Earth. Induction into the Space Technology Hall of Fame affords space technology innovators much deserved recognition. It also serves to increase public awareness of the benefits of space technology and encourage further innovation.
| Year | Inductee |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Commercial Earth-Imaging Satellites (GeoEye and DigitalGlobe) and Intrifuge CellXpansion (NASA Johnson Space Center, Regenetech and Synthecon)[20] |
| 2010 | Eagle Eyes and Digital Fly-By-Wire[21] |
| 2009 | Aerodynamic Vehicle Design[22] and Micro Algae Nutritional Supplements[23] |
| 2008 | ArterioVision[24], Petroleum Remediation Product[25], and ResQPOD[26] |
| 2007 | Emulsified Zero-Valent Iron[27] and Microbial Check Valve[28] |
| 2006 | iRobot PackBot Tactical Mobile Robot[29] and Novariant AutoFarm RTK AutoSteer[30] |
| 2005 | Hyperspectral Imaging Systems[31], NanoCeram Superfilters[32], InnerVue Diagnostic Scope System[33] and Outlast Technologies, Inc. Smart Fabric Technology[34] |
| 2004 | Multi-Junction (MJ) Space Solar Cells[35], LADARVision 4000[36], Precision Global Positioning System (GPS) Software[37] and MedStar Monitoring System[38] |
| 2003 | Virtual Window[39], VisiScreen (Ocular Screening System[40], Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit Technology[41], Humanitarian Demining Device[42], Digital Latching Valve[43] and Cochlear Implant[44] |
| 2002 | Satellite Radio Technology[45] |
| 2001 | Data Matrix Symbology[46], Video Image Stabilization and Registration (VISAR)[47] and Quantum Well Infrared Photodetectors (QWIP)[48] |
| 2000 | Advanced Lubricants[49], DirecTV[50] and Light Emitting Diodes for medical applications[51] |
| 1999 | Heart Defibrillator Energy Source[52], Miniature Accelerometer[53], Active Pixel Sensor[54] and DeBakey Blood Pump[55] |
| 1998 | Global Positioning System (GPS)[56] and Tempur Foam[57] |
| 1997 | Advanced Communications Technology[58] and Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Technology[59] |
| 1996 | Radiant Barrier[60], Anti-Shock Trousers[61] and Fire-Resistant Aircraft Seats[62] |
| 1995 | Parawings or Hang Gliders[63] and Anti-Corrosion Coatings[64] |
| 1994 | Excimer Laser Angioplasty System[65] and Digital Image Processing - Medical Applications[66] |
| 1993 | Physiological Monitoring Instrumentation[67] and Liquid-Cooled Garments[68] |
| 1992 | Earth Resources Laboratory Applications Software[69] and Direct Readout Satellite System[70] |
| 1991 | Automatic Implantable Cardiovertor Defibrillator[71] and PMR-15 Polymide Resin[72] |
| 1990 | Heat Pipe Systems[73] and Safety Grooving[74] |
| 1989 | Cordless Tools[75], Scratch Resistant Lenses[76] and Fabric Roof Structures[77] |
| 1988 | Improved Firefighter's Breathing System[78], NASA Structural Analysis Computer Software[79], Sewage Treatment With Water Hyacinths[80], Programmable Implantable Medication System[81] and Power Factor Controller[82] |
The Space Certification Program was created in cooperation with NASA[18] to help improve public awareness and appreciation of the many practical benefits that come from space technology. The Space Certification Program awards a "seal of approval" to companies with products and services that demonstrate a viable link to the space program. Often referred to as "spinoffs", there are literally thousands of products and services that incorporate space technology including satellite television and radio, Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation, cellular communications, advanced industrial lubricants, robotics, plastics, and a long list of life-improving and life-saving medical technologies.
Among Space Certified products are Tempur-Pedic sleep surfaces (certified product),[83], AGI (Analytical Graphics,Inc.) Satellite Tool Kit [84] the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center (certified educational product),[85] and NORAD Tracks Santa (certified educational product), [86]
The Space Foundation is developing the next generation - and building the overall technological strength of the nation - through programs that stimulate students' interest and skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).[87]
Programs include: