National Air and Space Museum Trophy facts for kids

The National Air and Space Museum Trophy was established in 1985. The trophy presented to the winners is a miniature version of "The Web of Space," a sculpture by artist John Safer.

The National Air and Space Museum presents this trophy annually to recognize both past and present achievements involving the management or execution of a scientific or technological project, a distinguished career of service in air and space technology, or a significant contribution in chronicling the history of air and space technology.

The trophy was created for the National Air and Space Museum by John Safer of Washington, D.C., a well-known sculptor and banker. John Safer retired as chief executive officer of D.C. National Bank. The trophy became known as the Michael Collins Trophy in 2020.

Recipients for Lifetime Achievements

• 2021 Gene Kranz
• 2020 Charles Elachi
• 2019 Charlie Bolden
• 2018 John R. Dailey
• 2017 Peter Theisinger
• 2016 James A. Lovell
• 2015 Stamatios Krimigis
• 2014 Norm Augustine
• 2013 Joe Sutter
• 2012 Burt Rutan
• 2011 George Mueller
• 2010 Christopher C. Kraft, Jr.
• 2009 John R. Casani and C. Gordon Fullerton
• 2008 Col. Joseph Kittinger
• 2007 Robert A. "Bob" Hoover
• 2006 James A. Van Allen
• 2005 Frank N. Piasecki
• 2004 Neil Armstrong
• 2003 (No Award) - In observance of the Centennial of Flight in 2003, the NASM did not award Trophy this year.
• 2002 Stanley Hiller Jr.
• 2001 Sen. John Glenn
• 2000 A. Scott Crossfield
• 1999 Dr. Simon Ramo
• 1998 Richard T. Whitcomb
• 1997 Anthony "Tony" LeVier
• 1996 Gen. Bernard A. Schriever, USAF (Ret.)
• 1995 Najeeb E. Halaby
• 1994 Dr. Michael H. Carr
• 1993 Olive Ann Beech
• 1992 Francis M. Rogallo
• 1991 Arthur E. Raymond
• 1990 Kelly Johnson and the SR-71 Design Team
• 1989 Edwin Land
• 1988 Harold Masursky
• 1987 John Steiner
• 1986 Sir Frank Whittle and Dr. Hans von Ohain
• 1985 Robert R. Gilruth

Recipients for Current Achievement

• 2021 SpaceX and Crew Dragon Team
• 2020 Hubble Space Telescope Team
• 2019 LIGO Scientific Collaboration
• 2018 Shaesta Waiz of Dreams Soar Inc.
• 2017 Kenn Borek Air's South Pole Rescue Team
• 2016 NASA's New Horizons Mission Team
• 2015 Kepler Mission Team
• 2014 The Dawn Flight Team
• 2013 Mars Science Laboratory Entry, Descent and Landing team, led by Adam Steltzner
• 2012 The Cassini-Huygens Flight Team
• 2011 Michael Suffredini and the International Space Station Program Office
• 2010 Flight crew of US Airways Flight 1549: Chesley B. Sullenberger III, Jeffrey B. Skiles, Sheila Dail, Donna Dent and Doreen Welsh
• 2009 (no award)**
• 2008 Stardust Comet Sample Return Mission Team
• 2007 NASA STS-121 shuttle mission team
• 2006 Mars Exploration Rover Team
• 2005 Burt Rutan, Paul Allen, and the SpaceShipOne Team
• 2004 USAF/Lockheed Martin Milstar Team
• 2003 (no award)*
• 2002 Predator Development Team
• 2001 NEAR Mission Team
• 2000 The Chandra X-Ray Observatory Team
• 1999 The Breitling Orbiter 3 Team
• 1998 The Mars Pathfinder Team
• 1997 Dr. Shannon W. Lucid
• 1996 The Boeing 777 Civilian Airliner Development Team
• 1995 The X-31 International Test Team
• 1994 Patty Wagstaff
• 1993 Dr. Compton J. Tucker
• 1992 The Magellan Project Team
• 1991 John C. Mather and the Cosmic Background Explorer Team
• 1990 The Pegasus Launch Vehicle Team
• 1989 The Voyager Spacecraft Team
• 1988 Paul MacCready
• 1987 Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager
• 1986 John W. Young
• 1985 Astronauts Kathryn D. Sullivan, Ph.D. and Capt. Bruce McCandless, USN

* In observance of the many centennial of flight celebrations in 2003, the museum did not award Trophies for that year. ** In 2009, there was no award for Current Achievement and two Lifetime Achievement Trophies were awarded.