HOUSTON, Sept. 22, 2003 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] engineers Roger Chrostowski and Barry Greenberg have been awarded one of the highest honors that can be bestowed by NASA to a nongovernmental employee, the Public Service Medal.
Chrostowski and Greenberg received the prestigious award for their outstanding contributions to International Space Station (ISS) and the nation's space program. A recipient can only receive the award once, and it is granted only to individuals whose distinguished accomplishments contributed substantially to the NASA mission.
Boeing is the prime contractor for ISS, and both men have received numerous awards for their work in computer safety. This is the first NASA honor awarded to them.
"I have always considered working on the NASA space station an honor in itself," said Chrostowski. "It is a privilege to be part of an organization that is helping humans take steps off the planet." Greenberg agreed.
"Receiving the distinguished Public Service Medal is extremely gratifying. This honor is a reflection of the dedication and hard work of the many individuals I've had the privilege of calling teammates," said Greenberg.
The medals were presented to Chrostowski and Greenberg at the Johnson Space Center 2003 NASA Honor and Presidential Rank Awards Ceremony for work efforts that span 14 and 13 years, respectively.
When Chrostowski participated in a flight software requirements review in March 1992 for what would become known as the International Space Station, he desired to enhance safety definitions and software safety requirements. And over the next decade, he successfully updated that system.
Greenberg is a recognized expert in computer and electrical safety in human space flight. For the past 13 years, he has performed safety analysis of numerous space shuttle and ISS systems that resulted in a safer environment on-board. A member of the Boeing Technical Fellowship, he is an employee mentor and consistently inspires others with his admiration for the ISS program.
Johnson Space Center Director and U.S. Marine Corps Lt. General (ret.) Jefferson D. Howell Jr. praised Chrostowski's expertise in computer and software safety. "He has advanced the engineering strategy for safely operating a spacecraft for the ISS program and future manned space programs," he said.
Howell says Greenberg has made significant contributions to NASA programs during his career and is highly valued. "Greenberg remains one of the most respected and sought-after safety engineers in manned-space programs," said Howell.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $25 billion business. It provides systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.