NASA today is honoring teams of NASA researchers — and
their industry and university partners — whose work in safe
and affordable air transportation, growth in critical
national industries, enhanced national security, and
scientific exploration and discovery has contributed to
society. The Sixth Annual Turning Goals into Reality Awards
in Washington celebrates their accomplishments.

“Over the past 45 years, NASA’s research and technology
developments have transformed our society. Today we are
celebrating the year’s most significant accomplishments that
add to this NASA legacy. We are honoring these teams of women
and men, along with their industry and university partners,
for their contributions,” said J. Victor Lebacqz, Ph.D.,
Associate Administrator for Aeronautics. “Now NASA itself is
transforming. The technologies recognized today, and the
people behind them, strengthen our capability to achieve the
Vision for Space Exploration.”

The award ceremony and reception is being held at NASA
Headquarters and at the National Air and Space Museum’s
Steven J. Udvar-Hazy Center at the Washington Dulles
International Airport, Va.

A total of 17 teams are receiving awards today. At NASA
Headquarters 15 awards are being made for accomplishments in
the following areas: Aeronautics Technology, Space Launch
Initiative, Mission Science Measurement Technology,
Innovative Technology Transfer Partnerships, and Agency
Education Outreach Goals.

In addition, this evening at the Udvar-Hazy Center, Dr.
Lebacqz will present a special award to the Investigation
Organizer Team that supported the work of the Columbia
Accident Investigation Board, and NASA Administrator Sean
O’Keefe will present an award to the advanced information
technology infusion team that worked on the 2003 Mars
Exploration Rover mission.

A complete list of the winning teams, with synopses of their
accomplishments, is available at: http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/62333main_tgir_awards.pdf

For more information about the 2004 Turning Goals into
Reality awards, see: http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/events/tgir/2004/index.htm

For more information about NASA’s Aeronautics program, see:
http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov