Dr. Harris Receives Robert A. Gilruth Award
SPACEHAB's
Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr., Vice President of Business Development for SPACEHAB
subsidiary Space Media, Inc., received the prestigious Robert R. Gilruth
Award in October from the North Galveston County Chamber of Commerce.
The award is given annually to recognize individuals who distinguish themselves in the management of flight operations, engineering, science, and programs. Recipients are selected because of his or her vision, leadership, and dedication to the advancement of manned space flight.
Presenting the award at the 13th Annual Space Flight Banquet at Johnson Space Center was Chester Vaughn, Deputy Chief Engineer of the Boeing Company's International Space Station Program, and a previous award recipient.
"I want to thank the Chamber and everyone who has supported me during my education and medical training, astronaut training and especially my colleagues at SPACEHAB," Dr. Harris said. "It's an honor to be chosen as a member of this distinguished group."
"I was 13 years old when I decided to become an astronaut. It was at the same time that Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. He inspired me, a young boy, and at the same time he inspired all Americans with his courage and character. When he reached the moon, he blazed a trail for others to follow."
Dr. Harris became a NASA astronaut in July 1991. He flew as a Mission Specialist on STS-55, launched in April 1993, and as Payload Commander on STS-63, launched in February 1995. On the latter mission, he operated a variety of commercial and scientific microgravity experiments in SPACEHAB's Research Module. Also on STS-63, Dr. Harris became the first African-American to walk in space.