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By NASA
NASA Honor Award recipients are shown with their award plaques, alongside NASA Stennis Space Center Director John Bailey and Deputy Director Christine Powell, following the ceremony at NASA Stennis on Aug. 13. Pictured (left to right) is Andrew Bracey, Briou Bourgeois, Jared Grover, Robert Simmers, Robert Williams, Richard Wear, Tom Stanley, Alison Dardar, Marvin Horne, Cary Tolman, Tim Pierce, Rebecca Mataya, Bailey, Powell, Gina Ladner, and Brittany Bouche. NASA/Danny Nowlin NASA Stennis Space Center Director John Bailey speaks to employees during the NASA Honor Awards ceremony at NASA Stennis on Aug. 13. NASA/Danny Nowlin NASA Stennis Space Center Director John Bailey and Deputy Director Christine Powell presented NASA Honor Awards to employees during an onsite ceremony Aug. 13.
One NASA Stennis employee received NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal. The medal is awarded to government employees for notable leadership accomplishments that have significantly influenced the NASA mission.
Marvin Horne of Fulton, Maryland, received the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal for his work in the Office of Procurement that has resulted in significant cost savings for the agency. Among his accomplishments, Horne designed, implemented, and led an integrated contract management office between NASA Stennis, NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The office transformed facility services from independent models to a shared model. The innovative solution was the first joint contract management office at NASA Stennis comprised of procurement, finance, and technical personnel designed to implement effective and efficient business processes. Horne currently serves as the NASA acting administrator for procurement.
Three NASA Stennis employees received NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal. The medal is awarded to government employees for sustained performance that embodies multiple contributions to NASA projects, programs, or initiatives.
Jared Grover of Diamondhead, Mississippi, received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for his contributions to the success of the NASA Stennis E Test Complex through his dedication and technical expertise. As a NASA mechanical operations engineer, he has led various testing and facility preparation efforts, worked with challenging propellants, and trained new personnel. His work has supported numerous NASA and commercial aerospace projects Grover is also active in community outreach, promoting NASA’s mission and inspiring future engineers.
Tim Pierce of Long Beach, Mississippi, received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal following 26 years with NASA and 41 years working at NASA Stennis as a contractor and civil servant in the Center Operations Directorate. Through Pierce’s contributions, NASA Stennis became a leader in drafting agreements with external agencies, streamlining administrative procedures, and enhancing partnerships. In one notable instance, he led efforts to collaborate with county officials on a sewer treatment project that will save costs and optimize underused infrastructure. Pierce retired from NASA in January 2025.
Barry Robinson of Slidell, Louisiana, received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal in absentia for service to the nation’s space program and achievement across multiple propulsion test programs and projects. Robinson joined NASA in 1994 and worked on the space shuttle main engine test project, eventually becoming a test operations consultant. Over the years, Robinson held various roles, including chief of the NASA Stennis Mechanical Engineering Branch and project manager for projects supporting NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket for Artemis missions to the Moon and beyond. Robinson retired from NASA in December 2024.
One NASA Stennis employee received NASA’s Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal. The medal is awarded to both government and non-government individuals for exceptional engineering contributions toward achievement of NASA’s mission.
Richard Wear of Slidell, Louisiana, received the NASA Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal for his contributions to the NASA Stennis Engineering and Test Directorate. Wear serves as the subject matter expert in thermal and fluid systems analysis. In that role, he has greatly contributed to facilitating the use of liquid natural gas propellant in testing onsite, including by developing a Cryogenics in Propulsion Testing training course to support future test projects and programs. His contributions have significantly enhanced NASA’s support for commercial partners at NASA Stennis.
Eight NASA Stennis employees received NASA’s Exceptional Achievement Medal. This medal is awarded to any government employee for a significant specific achievement or substantial improvement in operations, efficiency, service, financial savings, science, or technology which contributes to the mission of NASA.
Leslie Anderson of Picayune, Mississippi, received the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal in absentia for leadership and customer service as the lead accountant in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer at NASA Stennis. Anderson has successfully managed critical financial activities with technical expertise, project management, and strong customer service skills. Her efforts help maintain federal partnerships worth approximately $70 million annually and contribute to the success of NASA Stennis, demonstrating NASA’s core values of integrity, teamwork, excellence, and inclusion.
Alison Dardar of Diamondhead, Mississippi, received the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal for innovation in improving financial and technical processes associated with the $1 billion-plus consolidated operations and maintenance contract for NASA Stennis and NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. As senior budget analyst in the NASA Stennis Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Dardar led in identifying and addressing key reporting and accounting issues related to the contract. Her innovations resulted in a 55% improvement in cost reporting accuracy and $20 million in savings to the contract.
Gina Ladner of Diamondhead, Mississippi, received the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal for management, problem solving, and leadership during a year-long detail as chief of the NASA Stennis Facilities Services Division. During the year, Ladner led the division team through numerous changes and tackled unexpected challenges, including a severe weather event that featured confirmed tornados onsite and a contractor work stoppage activity, to ensure ongoing site operations. She also led in numerous infrastructure investments, including repairs to roadways, fire systems, and communications equipment.
Rebecca Mataya of Carriere, Mississippi, received the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal for service as a budget analyst in the NASA Stennis Office of the Chief Financial Officer in improving processes and operations. As an analyst on the procurement development team for a new operations, services, and infrastructure contract, Mataya identified creative methods to increase cost savings and maximize facility projects. She also has helped secure over $408 million for facility improvements, enhancing water systems, power generation, and more.
Tom Stanley of Biloxi, Mississippi, received the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal for contributions to improve NASA’s technology transfer process. As the NASA Stennis technology transfer officer, he developed a tool to standardize and automate evaluation of software usage agreements, reducing costs by 10 times and evaluation time by 75%. The changes led to record numbers of agreements awarded. Stanley also created a tool for contract closeouts, which has contributed to cost savings for the agency.
Cary Tolman of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, received the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal for work in the NASA Office of the General Counsel. Beyond her role as procurement attorney, Tolman established a software and management audit review team to provide consistent and timely legal advice on software licenses and terms. Tolman’s work has helped NASA save $85 million and simplified legal support for software issues while reducing cybersecurity and financial risk.
Casey Wheeler of Gulfport, Mississippi, received the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal for leadership and innovation in replacing the high pressure water industrial water system that supports crucial testing facilities at NASA Stennis. As project manager in the NASA Stennis Center Operations Directorate, Wheeler showcased his planning and coordination skills by completing the complex project without delaying rocket engine testing. His work restored the system to full design pressure in an area that directly supports NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket through RS-25 engine testing, and other critical projects.
Dale Woolridge of Slidell, Louisiana, received the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal in absentia for contributions as project manager in the NASA Stennis Center Operations Directorate. Woolridge successfully led multiple construction projects, completing them on time and within budget. One notable project was the refurbishment of the miter gates at NASA Stennis’ navigational lock, which supports NASA’s rocket engine testing operations. The team completed the refurbishment ahead of schedule and within budget, ensuring minimal disruption to NASA operations.
Four NASA Stennis employees received NASA’s Early Career Achievement Medal. The medal is awarded to government employees for unusual and significant performance during the first 10 years of an individual’s career in support of the agency.
Briou Bourgeois of Pass Christian, Mississippi, received the NASA Early Career Achievement for his contributions in the NASA Stennis Engineering and Test Directorate. Bourgeois joined NASA in 2017 and has worked on various projects, including the SLS (Space Launch System) core stage Green Run test series and RS-25 engine testing for Artemis missions. Bourgeois played a key role in modifying the liquid oxygen tanking process during the SLS core stage series. He has since become test director in the NASA Stennis E Test Complex and a leader in commercial test projects at NASA Stennis.
Brandon Ladner of Poplarville, Mississippi, received the NASA Early Career Achievement Medal for contributions to the Exploration Upper Stage Test Project on the Thad Cochran Test Stand at NASA Stennis. As the NASA lead mechanical design engineer for the project, Ladner has significantly contributed to the design and build-up of the B-2 position of the Thad Cochran Test Stand in preparation for Green Run testing of the new SLS (Space Launch System) upper stage. He has led in completion of numerous large design packages and provided valuable engineering oversight to improve construction schedule.
Robert Simmers of Slidell, Louisiana, received the NASA Early Career Achievement for his expertise and versatility since joining NASA in 2015 as a member of the NASA Stennis Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate team. He serves as the safety point of contact for the Thad Cochran Test Stand (B-2). In that role, he supported all operations during Green Run testing of NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) core stage. Simmers also has supported safety audits at various NASA centers. In 2020, he became the NASA Stennis explosive safety officer responsible for explosive safety and compliance.
Robert Williams of Gulfport, Mississippi, received the NASA Early Career Achievement for his work in the NASA Stennis Engineering and Test Directorate. Williams has worked with NASA for eight years, serving as a lead mechanical design engineer for several commercial test projects. Williams is recognized as a subject matter expert in structural systems and has contributed to various NASA Stennis projects, providing technical and modeling expertise.
Two NASA Stennis employees received NASA’s Silver Achievement Medal. The medal is awarded to any government or non-government employee for a stellar achievement that supports one or more of NASA’s core values, when it is deemed to be extraordinarily important and appropriate to recognize such achievement in a timely and personalized manner.
Brittany Bouche of Slidell, Louisiana, received the NASA Silver Achievement Medal for contributions in the NASA Stennis Center Operations Directorate. Bouche has held multiple key roles in the Facilities Services Division, including acting deputy, maintenance and operations lead, and project manager for several construction projects. She has successfully led various design and construction projects, completing them on time and within budget. These include a $9.1 million sewage system and treatment repair project, successfully completed with minimal service impact.
Andrew Bracey of Picayune, Mississippi, received the NASA Silver Achievement Medal for contributions as a NASA electrical design engineer at NASA Stennis. He has provided critical design support for work related to Green Run testing of the new SLS (Space Launch System) exploration upper stage. Bracey also has been crucial to the NASA Stennis vision of supporting commercial aerospace testing, leading preliminary design reviews for multiple projects onsite.
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Last Updated Aug 14, 2025 EditorNASA Stennis CommunicationsContactC. Lacy Thompsoncalvin.l.thompson@nasa.gov / (228) 688-3333LocationStennis Space Center Related Terms
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By NASA
Astronaut Victor Glover interacts with an Orion spacecraft simulator during NASA’s “All-Star Shoot for the Stars” event at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis on Saturday, July 18, 2025. Credit: NASA/Zach Lucas From astronauts to athletes, researchers to referees, and communicators to coaches, NASA is much like basketball – we all train to reach the top of our game. Staff from NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland drove home this point during the “All-Star Shoot for the Stars” event at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, July 17-19. As part of WNBA All-Star Game activities, this event highlighted NASA technology while illuminating the intersection of sports and STEM.
The event offered a captivating look into space exploration, thanks to the combined efforts of NASA and museum staff. Highlights included a detailed Orion exhibit, a new spacesuit display featuring five full-scale spacesuits, and virtual reality demonstrations. Visitors also had the chance to enjoy an interactive spacesuit app and a unique cosmic selfie station.
On Friday, July 18, 2025, visitors at NASA’s “All-Star Shoot for the Stars” event at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis look at a new spacesuit display featuring five full-scale spacesuits. Credit: NASA/Christopher Richards The event was made even more memorable by Artemis II astronaut Victor Glover, who connected with visitors and posed for photos. WNBA legend Tamika Catchings also made a special appearance, inspiring attendees with a message to “aim high!”
“All Star Weekend presented an excellent opportunity to share NASA’s mission with the Indianapolis community and people across the Midwest who were in town for the game,” said Jan Wittry, Glenn’s news chief. “I saw children’s faces light up as they interacted with the exhibits and talked to NASA experts, sparking a curiosity among our potential future STEM workforce.”
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By NASA
Credit: NASA NASA has selected KBR Wyle Services, LLC of Fulton, Maryland, to provide services to the Human Health and Performance Directorate at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, which focuses on astronaut health, occupational health, and research that could help mitigate health risks for future human spaceflight missions.
The Human Health and Performance Contract 2 is a follow-on single-award indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract that begins its five-year period of performance on Nov. 1, with two possible option periods that could extend it through 2035. The total estimated value of the base period plus the optional periods is $3.6 billion. Leidos, Inc. of Reston, Virginia, is a subcontractor.
The contract will acquire support services for several programs, primarily at NASA Johnson. This includes the Human Research Program, International Space Station Program, Commercial Crew Program, Artemis campaign, and more. Services include ensuring crew health, safety, and performance; providing occupational health services; and conducting research into mitigating risks to the health, safety, and performance of future spaceflight crews.
The Human Health and Performance Directorate leads the global spaceflight community in protecting astronaut health and enabling human mission performance. Its vision focuses on humans living, working, and thriving in space, on the Moon and on to Mars, and its mission is to lead the global spaceflight community in protecting astronaut health and enabling human mission performance.
For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov
–end–
Tiernan Doyle
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
tiernan.doyle@nasa.gov
Victoria Segovia
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
victoria.segovia@nasa.gov
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Last Updated Aug 11, 2025 LocationNASA Headquarters Related Terms
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By NASA
3 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)
From left to right, Astronaut Tracy Dyson, Jeremy Shidner, Sara R. Wilson, and Christopher Broadaway pose for a photo after the 2025 Silver Snoopy Awards ceremony. NASA/Mark Knopp Three employees from NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia recently earned the Silver Snoopy award, a prestigious honor given to NASA employees and contractors across the agency for exceptional achievements related to spaceflight safety or mission success. Christopher Broadaway, Jeremy Shidner, and Sara Wilson received the awards during a ceremony held at the center on July 22.
The Silver Snoopy award is given personally by NASA astronauts and is presented to less than one percent of the agency’s workforce annually. The award is one of several overseen by the Space Flight Awareness (SFA) Program at NASA. Established in 1963, the SFA Program is vital in ensuring quality and flight safety of America’s space program. The SFA Program works to highlight the individuals behind the success of NASA’s programs as well as motivate the next generation of innovators and cosmic explorers.
Astronaut Tracy Dyson visited Langley to present the Silver Snoopy lapel pin and a framed Silver Snoopy certificate. Dyson flew aboard the space shuttle Endeavor on STS-118, served as flight engineer for Expedition 23/24, and conducted hundreds of hours of scientific investigations aboard the International Space Station for Expedition 70/71. She has spent a total of 373 days in space and dedicated over 23 hours to spacewalks.
As a flight engineer with substantial experience, Dyson understands the importance of space flight safety.
“Those who are receiving this award didn’t do it because they came nine to five and left. It’s not because it was just their job,” she said. “It’s because it’s their life, and our lives are safer and better for it.”
Astronaut Tracy Dyson signs certificates of appreciation prior to the 2025 Silver Snoopy Awards ceremony. NASA/Mark Knopp Silver Snoopy recipient and aerospace engineer Jeremey Shidner echoed Dyson’s perspective.
“This level of trust is particularly profound because astronauts understand better than anyone the countless systems, procedures, and people that must work flawlessly for a mission to succeed,” he said. “When astronauts single someone out for recognition, it reflects their confidence that this person embodies the same commitment to excellence and safety that they themselves must maintain.”
The prestigious award consists of a certificate of appreciation signed by Dyson, an authentication letter, and a miniature sterling silver lapel pin in the shape of the well-loved character Snoopy from the comic strip “Peanuts.” Each pin awarded has flown in space. The pins awarded to Langley’s recipients flew aboard STS-118.
The 2025 Silver Snoopy Award pins NASA/Mark Knopp Here are the three award recipients from Langley and their achievements:
Christopher Broadaway: For exemplary support in assisting the Commercial Crew Program ensure safety and mission success in industry partners’ human spaceflight missions.
Jeremy Shidner: For significant contributions to the Commercial Crew Program to ensure flight safety and mission success for Entry, Descent, and Landing. Collaborating closely with the Crew Flight Test team and Mission Operations Flight Dynamics Officers, he refined the simulation model to incorporate real pilot performance data, which resulted in increased entry accuracy, eliminating an elevated risk to crew safety.
Sara R. Wilson: For engineering excellence in the application of advanced statistical tools and methods characterizing NASA’s human spaceflight missions. She also played a key role in developing standardized tests for advanced lunar spacesuit gloves, creating consistency in evaluating materials for extreme lunar environments.
Sarah Reeps and Layla Smith
NASA Langley Research Center
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Last Updated Aug 07, 2025 Related Terms
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By NASA
Explore This Section Science Courses & Curriculums for… STEM Educators Are Bringing… Overview Learning Resources Science Activation Teams SME Map Opportunities More Science Activation Stories Citizen Science 4 min read
STEM Educators Are Bringing Hands-On NASA Science into Virginia Classrooms
Professional learning experiences are integral to the enhancement of classroom instruction. Teachers, at the forefront of Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM) education, play a key role in the advancement of STEM learning ecosystems and citizen science.
On June 24-25, 2025 – despite a major east coast heat wave – twenty-four educators from eight school districts in the Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia (Newport News, Hampton City, Virginia Beach City, Isle of Wight County, Poquoson City, Norfolk, York County, and Suffolk Public Schools) converged at the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA) in Hampton, VA for a professional development workshop led by experts from NASA Langley Research Center and the NASA Science Activation program’s NIA-led NASA eClips team. Developed in collaboration with another NASA Science Activation team, GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) Mission Earth, and with support from the Coastal Virginia STEM Hub (COVA STEM) – a “STEM learning ecosystem targeting pre-K to adult residents in Coastal Virginia” – this two-day training, also provided comprehensive resources, including lesson plans, pacing guides, classroom activities, and books, all designed for integration into Hampton Roads classrooms.
The NASA Langley team led workshop participants through a training about GLOBE, a program dedicated to advancing Earth System science through data collected by volunteer members of the public, also known as ‘citizen scientists’. GLOBE invites educators, students, and members of the public worldwide (regardless of citizenship) to collect and submit cloud, surface temperature, and land cover observations using the GLOBE Observer app – a real-time data collection tool available right on their smartphones. These observations are then used to help address scientific questions at local, regional, and global scales. Through this training, the educators participated in K-20 classroom-friendly sample lessons, hands-on activities, and exploring the GLOBE Observer app, ultimately qualifying them as GLOBE Certified Educators. Earth System science lessons, activities, and information on how to download the GLOBE Observer citizen science app are available on the GLOBE website. Similarly, NASA eClips, which focuses on increasing STEM literacy in K-12 students, provided educators with free, valuable, standards-based classroom resources such as educator guides, informational videos, engineering design packets, and hands-on activities, which are available to educators and students alike on the NASA eClips’ website. Throughout the training, educators collaborated in grade-level groups, brainstorming new ways to integrate these standards-based NASA science resources.
One educator envisioned incorporating GLOBE’s cloud resources and supportive NASA eClips videos into her energy budget unit. Others explored modifying a heat-lamp experiment to include humidity and heat capacity. One teacher enthusiastically noted in response to a GLOBE urban heat island lesson plan, “The hands-on elements are going to be really great deliverables!” The creative energy and passion for education were palpable.
The dedication of both NIA and NASA Langley to education and local community support was evident. This professional learning experience offered educators immediately-applicable classroom activities and fostered connections among NASA science, NASA eClips, the GLOBE Program, and fellow educators across district lines. One educator highlighted the value of these networking opportunities, stating, “I do love that we’re able to collaborate with our colleagues so we can plan for our future units during the school year”. Another participant commented, “This is a great program…I am going to start embedding [this] in our curriculum.”
GME (supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number NNX16AC54A) and NASA eClips (supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number NNX16AB91A) are part of NASA’s Science Activation Portfolio. Learn more about how Science Activation connects NASA science experts, real content, and experiences with community leaders to do science in ways that activate minds and promote deeper understanding of our world and beyond: https://science.nasa.gov/learn
GLOBE educator Marilé Colón Robles demonstrates a kinesthetic activity. Share
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Last Updated Aug 04, 2025 Editor NASA Science Editorial Team Location NASA Langley Research Center Related Terms
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