Explorer, Leader, Educator, Speaker, and Learner. NASA’s Longest Continually Serving Head of Science 2016-2022.
Yesterday, I received the AIAA’s 2025 von Braun Award for Excellence in Space Program Management for “exemplary leadership of NASA's science program and its successful civilization-scale science missions, including the James Webb Space Telescope, Mars 2020, and Parker Solar Probe.” According to the AIAA, this award gives National recognition to an individual for outstanding contributions in the management of a significant space or space-related program or project. Receiving this award makes me deeply aware how each and everyone of these missions is the product of a team, one that is made out of individuals with strengths and weaknesses. When such teams come together - aligned by a common goal and tied together by hard work and trust - we can eliminate those weaknesses and become truly excellent and make these miracle missions a reality. Yes, sometimes it takes hard decisions and the path is very tough, but it is all worth it. I want to thank all the 130+ amazing mission teams I have been part of as I take this award to be a recognition for all of them! Finally, as there are questions swirling around NASA’s Science program, let me tell you how - like never before - NASA science missions is where leadership truly shines, where critical technologies are developed that make us safer and create opportunity, and where we inspire the US and the world!
Congrats dear Thomas. Well deserved for your exceptional and inspirational leadership! JamesWebb owes you so much.
Considering a nazi past of Von Braun (and 20 thousand of dead slave workers in Dora Buchenwald concentration camp V2 factory) I wonder why anyone would want to have a prize of his name, does anyone accept the dr. Mengele prize for medicine ?
25 years ago I was on the AIAA technical committee that established this award. Thrilled to see you as a recipient!
Congratulations Thomas, from me and the whole Psyche mission team!
Congratulations!
Congratulations Thomas! Great to see you receive this well deserved award in person at ASCEND!
My heartfelt Congratulations and so well deserved Thomas H. Zurbuchen ! ??????
Congratulations Thomas - a great tribute to NASA Scoence
Congrats Thomas! ??
Congrats Dr. Z! It was a privilege working for and learning from you.