NASA Technology Awards/Incentives
- Awards won
+ Nomination information

IPP Office Technology Awards
+ Awards won
+ Nomination information

GSFC Awards
+ Awards won
+ Nomination information

External Technology Awards
+ Awards won
+ Nomination information

If you would like additional information, nomination procedures, or to nominate a team or individual for awards listed on this site, please contact:

Innovative Partnerships Program Office
Code 504
phone: (301) 286-5810
email: Innovative Partnerships Program Office

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Norden Huang (Code 971) accepts the NASA Government Invention of the Year Award from Administrator Sean O’Keefe (right) and Paul Pastorek, General Counsel for NASA (left).

+ NASA Software of the Year Award
+ NASA Government Invention of the Year Award
+ NASA Commercial Invention of the Year Award
+ NASA Honor Award
+ NASA Software Release Award
+ NASA Tech Brief Article Award
+ NASA Patent Application Award
+ NASA Space Act Award

NASA Software of the Year Award

An annual award given by the Inventions and Contributions Board for NASA-developed software that has significantly enhanced the Agency's performance of its mission and helped American industry maintain its world-class technology status.

WINNERS:

2005

• Land Information System (LIS) v. 4.0: The LIS is a high-performance land surface modeling and data assimilation system based on Goddard's Land Data Assimilation Systems.
  
  Land surface models predict terrestrial water, energy, and biogeophysical processes critical for applications in weather and climate prediction, agricultural forecasting, water resources management, hazard mitigation and mobility assessment.
  
  The data used by LIS include:
  
  • Parameter data: Properties of the land surface that change on timesteps of a day or longer (e.g., soil, land cover, topography).
  • "Forcing" data: Atmospheric inputs to the land surface models, including precipitation, radiation, and surface winds, temperature, pressure, and humidity.

2003

• SeaDAS: SeaWiFS Data Analysis System (SeaDAS): SeaWiFS is the Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of- View Sensor, an Earth-orbiting ocean color sensor gathering quantitative data on global ocean bio-optical properties to monitor various types and quantities of marine phytoplankton (microscopic marine plants).
  
  Since the beginning of the SeaWiFS project in 1991, a primary objective has been to provide the Earth science community with rapid and easy access to the sensor’s data as well as the tools to work with the data. The SeaDAS software package provides essential processing, display, analysis, and quality control functions for the data users.
  
  Feedback from the research community on SeaDAS’s performance has been extremely favorable. It has been accepted as the standard ocean color satellite analysis system by the international research community (over 500 user sites in nearly 50 countries) and other space agencies. The software also has been used by many commercial entities, including ORBIMAGE, which is developing commercial products from SeaWiFS data, and SeaSpace and Integral System, Inc., which use SeaDAS as part of their direct-broadcast ground stations.

2002

• (Runner up) John Bristow and Dave Folta (and Al Hawkins, Greg Dell, and Keith Chapman of A.I. Solutions)-AutoCon: Autonomous Maneuver Control Flight Software: Developed to enable formation flying, AutoCon has two instantiations from a single code base, AutoCon-F or flight and AutoCon-G or ground. This technology reduces satellite operations costs and enables flying formations of satellites.
  
  Multiple satellite missions or formation flying obtain science that cannot be gathered by a single satellite. Formations enable stereo viewing, temporal and spatial resolution, multiple angle viewing and interferometry. Keeping satellites in formation, however, was a challenge. To satisfy spacecraft and mission constraints, maneuver planning required long hours from highly skilled analysts. AutoCon-G, with fuzzy logic and natural language, simplified this task. However, latency in formation control was still a concern and so AutoCon-F was developed. AutoCon-F plans maneuvers autonomously on-board, reducing cost and providing rapid response. AutoCon-F is a scaled AutoCon-G. Using the same code for flight and ground eases validation, and reduces risk. Control laws can be tested on the ground before uploading. Also, since AutoCon-F is object-oriented it supports uploads of new objects to evaluate new maneuver algorithms. AutoCon-F enabled NASA’s first ever satellite formation, EO-1/LandSat-7.

+ Nomination information

NASA Government Invention of the Year Award

An annual agency award to honor government employees

WINNERS:

2003

• Dr. Norden Huang-Hilbert-Huang Transform: HHT allows users to conduct more precise analysis of signal data than can be obtained from conventional Fourier-based methods. Designed specifically for processing nonlinear and nonstationary signals, HHT also can be used to analyze linear and stationary signals.

2001

• John R. Kolasinski and Alexander Coleman-Optical Fiber Cable Chemical Stripping Fixture: This technology consists of a method and apparatus for chemically stripping an optical fiber cable of its coating without damaging the glass fiber inside. This is particularly useful for removing the hard, thin polyimide coatings that cannot be removed mechanically or thermally.

2000

• Doug Leviton-Method and Apparatus for Ultra-High Sensitivity Incremental and Absolute Optical
  Encoding: These linear and rotary encoders use a CCD array to detect the relative and absolute position of an object by reading a microlithographic scale on the object. The award-winning technology enables these encoders to have higher sensitivity, read over longer distances, provide better measurements, and resist damage-all in a smaller package at a lower price.

1999

• Charles Clagett-Reaction/momentum wheel: Developed for the Small Explorer program, the invention is a compact, high-torque, low-vibration device to stabilize and point satellites and other space vehicles. At the time of this award, the invention was successfully flying aboard three NASA satellites. The wheel had also been licensed to Ithaco Space Systems and Orbital Sciences, Inc., which sold its version of the invention commercially.

+ Nomination information

NASA Commercial Invention of the Year Award

An annual award honoring commercial inventions

WINNERS:

+ Nomination information

NASA Honor Award

NASA’s most prestigious honor awards are approved by the Administrator and presented to a number of carefully selected individuals and groups of individuals, both Government and non-Government, who have distinguished themselves by making outstanding contributions to the Agency’s mission.  The Chair of the Incentive Awards Board (IAB) annually requests nominations for the various NASA honor awards.  After a rigorous review, the IAB forwards their recommendations to the Administrator for approval.  NASA medals and/or certificates are, subsequently, presented to the award recipients by the Agency’s highest officials at the annual awards ceremonies held at NASA Headquarters and each NASA Center.

WINNERS:

+ Nomination information

NASA Software Release Award

An automatic monetary award given when software has been approved for public release by NASA

WINNERS:

2007

2006

2005

+ Nomination information

NASA Tech Brief Article Award

A monetary award based on submission of an article published in NASA Tech Briefs.

WINNERS:

2007

Advanced Autonomous Lidar Instrument for Airborne Remote Sensing by Matthew McGill (Code 613.1) Scott Vibart (Code 694), and Luis Izquierdo (Code 694)
One-Dimensional Synthetic Aperture Microwave Systems by Peter Piepmeier (Code 555) and Terence Doiron (Code 555)
Finite-Element Computer Code for the Analysis of Composite Shell Structures by Gregory Clarke (Code 542)
Flow Solver for Incompressible 2-D Drive Cavity by Virginia Kalb (Code 614.5)
Flow Solver for Incompressible 2-D Rectangular Domains by Virginia Kalb (Code 614.5)
Improvement of Micro-channel Plates (MCPs) by Coating by Abdelhak Bensaoula and Abdelhakim Bensaoula (Integrated Micro Sensors, Inc.)
Lightwire by Thomas Shay (New Mexico State University, Las Cruces) and Stephen Horan  (New Mexico State University, Las Cruces) (Code 450)
Micro-Resistojet for Small Satellites by Kurt Hohman (Code 597) and John Duggan (Code 597)
Mole Spectrometry by Barbara Zukowski (Code 543)
Parameterization of the POD-based Dynamical System Coefficients by Virginia Kalb (Code 614.5)
Planetary Balloon: Balloon Design Software by Rodger Farley (Code 546)
Simple, Cost-Effective Method of Mounting Filters for Cryogenic Applications by Jason Hylan (Code 551), Wahid Zewari (Code 544), and Raymond Ohl (Code 551)
Simple, Scalable, Script-based Science Processing Archive by Christopher Lynnes (Code 610.2) and Wrandle C. Barth (Code 610.2)
Smart, Flexible Sensory Skin With Integrated Sensors and Electronics by Jonathan Engel (University of Illinois)
Sprag Handle Wrench by John Vranish (Code 543)
Stabilization of a POD-based Dynamical System by Virginia Kalb (Code 614.5)
Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) Command and Data Handling Flight Software by Timothy Leath (Code 582), Jay Miller (Code 582), and Emory Stagmer (Code 590)

2006

Absolute Cartesian Encoder (GSC-14330-1) by Douglas Leviton (Code 551)
Alignment Cube for Cryogenic, Optomechanical Assemblies (GSC-14954-1) by Joseph McMann (Man Tech), Henry Sampler (Code 551.1), and Carl Strojny (Code 551)
Alignment Cube for Cryogenic, Optomechanical Assemblies (GSC-14954-1) by John Hagopian (Code 551) and Raymond Ohl (Code 551)
Astronomer Proposal Tool* (GSC-14946-1) by Tony Krueger (Man Tech)—Astronomer’s Proposal Tool (APT) is a computer program that assists astronomers in preparing their Phase 1 and Phase 2 Hubble Space Telescope science programs. (December 2005)
Broadband Phase-Retrieval for Image-based Wavelength Sensing (GSC-14899-1) by Bruce Dean (Code 551)
Bumper: Method of Retaining Payload Interior Structure within Its Skin while Allowing Maximizing of Interior’s Components (GSC-14991-1) by Orville Fleming (Northrop Grumman)
Characterization of the HEFT CdZnTe Pixel Detectors* (GSC-14804-1) by Peter Mao (California Institute of Technology)— Image sensors designed for high spectral resolution and low power consumption. (October 2005)
Cloud Micro-Sensors for Application on Small UAVs and Balloons* (GSC-14950-1) by Paul Lawson (Spec Inc.)—This camera would rapidly acquire image data on aerosol particles. (May 2006)
Development of a 1,024x1,024 GaAs QWIP Detector Assembly (GSC-14688-1) by Murzy Jhabvala (Code 550) and Kwong-Kit Choi (Army Research Lab)
Development of an Improved Upper Stage Ignition System (GSC-14691-1) by Michael Cropper (Code 548), Herb Morgan (Code 548), and John Hickman (Code 548)
Discussion of Using a Reconfigurable Processor to Implement the Discrete Fourier Transform (GSC-14943-1) by Michael White (Code 564)
Earth Observing System Data Gateway (EDG) (GSC-14938-1) by Ed Sefert (Code 586), Mark Nestler (Code 586), Mark Solomon (Code 586), and Lorena Marsans (Code 586)
Earth Observing System Data Gateway (EDG) (GSC-14938-1) by Robin Pfister (Code 586)
Electric Field Antenna for Solar Probe and Space Missions Exposed to High Photon Intensities within the Inner Heliosphere by Edward Sittler (Code 612.2)
Filter Function for Wavelength Sensing and Control Over an Extended Field of View (GSC-14900-1) by Bruce Dean (Code 551)
Fixed Lens Wavelength Sensing (GSC-14901-1) by Bruce Dean (Code 551)
Free Vibration of Square Plate and Poisson’s Ratio Measurement at Cryogenic Temperatures (GSC-15021-1) by Christopher Hoffman (Code 541), Liqin Wang (Code 541), and Brian Harris (Code 541)
General EQFlux (GSC-14791-1) by Edward Gaddy (Code 563)
High Torque Circular Electrical Connector Tool, EVA Crew Aids and Tools (GSC-14670-1) by Patrick O’Neil (Swales)
High-Gain, Low-Noise Silicon MCP Technology (GSC-14701-1) by Sharon Schib (Nanosciences Corp.)
High-Torque Circular Electrical Connector Tool, EVA Crew Aids and Tools* (GSC-14670-1) by John Grunsfeld (Johnson Space Center)—A simple tool that exerts a strong grip. (October 2006)
Holographic Plossl Retroreflector (GSC-14472-1) by Eugene Waluschka (Code 551)
Improvement of MCPs by Coating (GSC-14936-1) by David Starikov and Chris Boney (both of Integrated Micro Sensors)
Innovative Utilization of the Heap Data Structure for Efficient Determination of Best Merges for HSEG (GSC-14995-1) by James Tilton (Code 606.3)
Integrated Modeling Environment* (GSC-14827-1) by Christopher Holtery (Constellation Software Engineering) and Gary Mosier (Code 592)—The Integrated Modeling Environment (IME) is a software system that establishes a centralized Web-based interface for integrating people (who may be geographically dispersed), processes, and data involved in a common engineering project. (June 2006)
Miniature Latching Valve by Glendon Benson (Aker Industries)
Iterative Transform Phase-Retrieval Utilizing Adaptive Diversity (GSC-14879-1) by Bruce Dean (Code 551)
Mercury Shopping Cart Interface (MSCI) (GSC-14940-1) by Robin Pfister (Code 586)
Modular Tracking Filter & Tracking Data Source Management Software Library (GSC-14974-1) by Raymond Lanzi (Code 598)
Phase-Oriented Gears (GSC-14790-1) by John Vranish (Code 544)
Portable Airborne Laser System* (GSC-14906-1) by Ross Nelson (Code 614.4)—A combination of laser ranging, video imaging, positioning, and data-processing subsystems designed for measuring the heights of forest canopies along linear transects from tens to thousands of kilometers long. (October 2005)
Power User Interface (PUI) (GSC-14939-1) by Robin Pfister (Code 586)
Reconfigurable Decentralized Framework for Formation Flying Control (GSC-14779-1) by Joseph Mueller (Princeton Satellite)
Requirements Tracing on TARGET (GSC-14976-1) by Jane Hayes (Univ. of Kentucky)
SMART Solar Sails (GSC-14762-1) by Steven Curtis (Code 695)
Solvent-Free Batch for the Manufacture of a New Generation of Highly Efficient Themoelectric Coolers* (GSC-14786-1) by Ali Boufelfel (Sigma Technologies)—Temperature differences as great as 50 K can be produced at or near room temperature. (February 2006)
Split-Remerge Method for Eliminating Processing Window Artifacts in RHSEG (GSC-14994-1) by James Tilton (Code 606.3)
Stress Boots (GSC-14700-1) by Howard Wood (Code 551), Michael Correia (Code 551), Jason Budinoff (Code 551), and Jessica Hauss (intern)
Three-Degree-of-Freedom Parallel Manipulator w/3 Inextensible Limbs and Base-Mounted Actuators* (GSC-14874-1) by Farhad Tahmasebi (Code 542)—The geometry and kinematics of this manipulator would afford advantages for some applications. (September 2006)
Three-Dimensional Solid Models of Scientific Data for Education Outreach* (GSC-14897-1)—John Keller (Code 691) by A method of generating solid models of terrain involves the conversion of topographical data into a form useable by a rapid-prototyping (RP) machine. (September 2005)
Tightly Packaged Integral Flexure Mount Design for Cryogenic, Metal Mirrors for Astronomy Instruments* (GSC-14969-1) by Said Zewari (Code 540), Raymond Ohl (Code 551), Shelly Conkey (Code 551), Jason Hylan (Code 544), and Sandra Irish (Code 544)—Compact and relatively inexpensive mounts. (June 2006)
Tree to Graph Folding Procedure for Systems Engineering Requirements (GSC-14951-1) by Mark Austin (Univ. of Maryland), Vimal Mayank (Univ. of Maryland), and David Everett (Code 431)
Unitary Graphite Composite Hinge (GSC-14896-1) by Peter Rossoni (Code 543), James Sturm (Code 543), and Wes Alexander (Code 543)
Use of Strain Gages to detect Bonded Joint Failures of Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) at Cryogenic Temperatures (GSC-14984-1) by Brian Harris (Code 541)
Virtual Feel Capaciflectors* (GSC-14955-1) by John Vranish (Code 544)—Exploits increases in capacitance with deviations from desired central positions. (June 2006)
Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) Command & Data Handling Flight Software (GSC-14964-1) by Art Ferrer (Code 582.1), Steve Slegel (Daedalian Systems Corp.), and Alan Cudmore (Code 582)

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

+ Nomination information

NASA Patent Application Award

A monetary award based on the filing of a patent

WINNERS:

2007

Conduit Purging Device and Method by Michael Wilks (Code 597
Conformal Gripping Device by John Vranish (Code 543)
Device, System, and Method for Miniaturized Radiation Spectrometer by Epaminondas Stassinopoulos (Code 561)
Driven Ground by John Vranish (Code 544)
Enhancing R2D2C Requirements-Based Programming With Automata Learning by Michael Hinchey (Code 581, James Rash (Code 588), and Christopher Rouff (Code 500)
Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition:  A Noise Assisted Data Analysis Method by Norden Huang (Code 614.2) and Zhaohua Wu (Code 614.2)
Extendable USB Drive by Mike Hinchey (Code 581)
Fixed Lens Wavefront Sensing by Bruce Dean (Code 551)
Hardware and Technique for Dead End Welding of all Types of Tubing by Michael WIlks (Code 597)
Hybrid Diversity Method Utilizing Adaptive Diversity Function and Optical System for Inducing Focus Diversity by Bruce Dean (Code 551)
Interferometric Polarization Control by David Chuss (Code 665), Edward Wollacjk (Code 665), Samuel Moseley (Code 665), and Giles Novak (Northwestern Univ.)
Iterative-Transform Phase-Retrieval Utilizing Adaptive Diversity by Bruce Dean (Code 551)
Method and System for Procedure Development and Verification by Formal Specifications Derived Mechanically from Informal Procedure Descriptions by Michael Hinchey (Code 581) and James Rash (Code 581)
Method For Developing and Maintaining Evolving Systems with Software Product Lines by Michael Hinchey (Code 581) and James Rash (Code 588) 
Method of Forming Pointed Structure by Diane Pugel (Code 553)
Millimeter Wave Polarization Transformer by David Chuss (Code 665), Edward Wollack (Code 685), Samual Moseley (Code 685), and Giles Novak (Code 685)
Miniaturized Radiation Spectrometer Development by Epaminodas Stassinopoulos (Code 561)
Modular Gear Bearings and Device, System, and Method for Sensing Electrical Circuit by John Vranish (Code 544)
Noise-Assisted Data Analysis Method, System and Program Product by Norden Huang (Code 610.3) and Zhaohua Wu (Center for Ocean-Land-Atmospheric Studies)
Polarization-Preserving Waveguide Filter and Transformer by Edward Wollack (Code 665) and Felice Vanin (Code 665)
Pulsed, 1 Micron, Single Frequency, Diode-Seeded Ytterbium-doped Fiber Amplifier With Variable Output Parameters by Donald Coyle (Code 601)
Solid-State Laser Gain Module and Optical Source and Apparatus for Remote Sensing by Donald Coyle (Code 554)
Specular Coatings for Composite Structures by Jim Lohr (Code 303), Russell Rowles (Code 540), Wanda Peters (Code 546), Rober Kiwak (Code 541), and Ken Segal (Code 543)
Strain-Based Carbon Nanotube Magnetometer by Stephanie Getty (Code 541)
Systems, Methods and Apparatus for Automata Learning in Generations of Scenario-Based Requirements in System Development by Christopher Rouff (Science Applications International Corp.), Michael Hinchey (Code 581), and James Rash (Code 581)
Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for D-Dimensional Formulation and Implementation of Recursive Hierarchical Segmentation by James Tilton (Code 606)
Systems, Methods and Apparatus for Flash Drive by Michael Hinchey (Code 581)
Template For Deposition of Micron and Sub-micron Pointed Structures by Diane Pugel (Code 553)

2006

2005

Charge Dissipative Electrical Cable (GSC-14648-1) by John Kolasinski (Code 565) and Edward Wollack (Code 665)
Evolvable Neural Software System (GSC-14657-1) by Steven Curtis (Code 695)
HHT Financial Data (GSC-14807-1) by Norden Huang (Code 971)
Integrated Structural Analysis and Test Program (GSC-14775-1) by Daniel Kaufman (Code 542)
Low Powered X-Ray (GSC-14796-1) by Yosef Eisen, Samuel Floyd (Code 691), Jacob Trombka (Code 691), Timothy McClanahan (Code 691), Jeffrey Schweitz, and Arthur Ruitberg
Parylene Thickness Optical Sensor System (GSC-14757-1) by Michael Beamesderfer (Code 541)
Phase-Oriented Gears (GSC-14790-1) by John Vranish (Code 544)
Screw Locking Wrench (GSC-14561-1) by John Vranish (Code 544)
SMART Solar Sail (GSC-14762-1) by Steven Curtis (Code 695)
Stepping Flexures (GSC-14562-1) by John Vranish (Code 544)

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

+ Nomination information

The NASA Space Act Monetary Awards Program for Significant Scientific and Technical Contributions

The objectives of this program are to provide official recognition of, and to grant equitable monetary awards for those inventions and other scientific and technical contributions that have helped to achieve NASA's aeronautical, technology transfer, and space goals; and to stimulate and encourage the creation and reporting of similar contributions in the future. To accomplish these objectives, the Inventions and Contributions Board is authorized to recommend the granting of monetary awards in amounts up to $100,000 in accordance with the provisions of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, and to grant monetary awards in amounts up to $10,000 in accordance with the provisions of the Government Employees Incentive Awards Act of 1954.

WINNERS:

2007

• Cable Medium in Robot Tooling by Vince Kerley (Code 500)

2006

2005

2004

+ Nomination information