Space Technology Hall of Fame


Space Technology Hall of Fame® Inductees Honored at Three Space Symposium Events

Written by: developer

The Space Foundation honored two 2013 Space Technology Hall of Fame® inductees at the 29th National Space Symposium with three special events:

  • The Space Technology Hall of Fame Private Induction Ceremony, co-sponsored by Intelsat
  • The Space Technology Hall of Fame Cocktail Reception, co-sponsored by Inmarsat
  • The Space Technology Hall of Fame Dinner, co-sponsored by SpaceX

The Space Technology Hall of Fame, which is celebrating its 25th year, recognizes technologies originally developed for - or dramatically improved by - space applications that now improve life on Earth. The new inductees are:

  • GATR Inflatable Satellite Communication System, a portable, rapidly deployed, inflatable antenna that targets a geostationary satellite to establish critical communications links
  • Mediphan ultrasound technologies, compact low-power ultrasound devices that can be used as a diagnostic tool where large scanning equipment is impractical

Private Induction Ceremony Honors Organizations and Individuals

The Private Induction Ceremony, an exclusive event co-sponsored by Intelsat, was held the afternoon of April 11, preceding the reception and dinner. It provided a forum for the formal induction of the organizations and individuals responsible for developing the technologies and adapting them for commercial use.

Host Space Foundation Director - Space Awareness Kevin Cook was assisted by Intelsat General President Kay Sears and former NASA Astronauts Mark Polansky and Michael Lopez-Alegria when he presented Space Technology Hall of Fame medals and trophies to the 2013 inductees.

GATR Organizational:

  • GATR Technologies, represented by Paul A. Gierow, P.E., president and CEO, GATR Technologies
  • NASA Glenn Research Center, represented by former NASA astronaut Mark Polansky

GATR Individual:

  • Paul A. Gierow, P.E., president and CEO, GATR Technologies
  • William R. Clayton, chief scientist, GATR Technologies (pictured, left, with Sears)
  • Robert Romanofsky, Ph.D., senior research engineer, NASA Glenn Research Center, Communications, Instruments and Controls Division
  • Kevin M. Lambert, Ph.D., senior research engineer, Vantage Partners, LLC

Mediphan Organizational:

  • Mediphan, Inc., represented by Mike Sandler, president and CEO, Epiphan Systems, Inc. & Mediphan, Inc.
  • NASA Johnson Space, represented by former NASA Astronaut Dr. Leroy Chiao

Mediphan Individual:

  • Scott A. Dulchavsky, M.D., Ph.D., chairman and surgeon-in-chief, Henry Ford Hospital (pictured, left)
  • Mike Sandler, president and CEO, Epiphan Systems, Inc. & Mediphan, Inc.
  • Leroy Chiao, Ph.D., chemical engineer, former consulting NASA astronaut lead on technology and special advisor - human spaceflight, Space Foundation.

Wyle Laboratories received a Commendation Award for contributions to technology training of astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS).

To see photos of the Private Induction Ceremony, click here.

Reception Features Displays

The Space Technology Hall of Fame reception, co-sponsored by Inmarsat, was of special interest this year becuase for the first time it featured physical displays of the inducted technologies for guests to view as they networked.

Pictured, right, Dulchavsky demonstrates the Mediphan technology to former NASA astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

Sigourney Weaver and P.J. O'Rourke Entertain at Dinner

The Space Technology Hall of Fame dinner, co-sponsored by SpaceX, was the final formal event of the Space Symposium.

The dinner, which filled the International Center to capacity, featured a welcome by corporate host SpaceX Vice President - Government Sales Adam Harris. The inductees received public recognition and videos were shown highlighting their accomplishments.

The entertainment for the evening was a "fireside chat" featuring actor Sigourney Weaver and author, satirist and Space Foundation Board Member P.J. O'Rourke. They discussed Weaver's career and her interest in the environment, science and education.

See More

See a video of the event here. To see photos, click here.

This article is part of Space Watch: May 2013 (Volume: 12, Issue: 5).


Posted in Space Technology Hall of Fame