The RNASA Foundation is a nonprofit organization supported by the sale of banquet tickets and program book advertisements. Proceeds remaining after expenses from each year's event will be donated to an organization involved in aerospace education.

Each year, people who have made a preeminent contribution to space exploration are nominated by government, industry, professional organizations, and individuals. A ballot is voted upon by the Foundation's Board of Advisors, which is made up of leaders who are intimately involved in the space program. These confidential votes are tabulated by an independent accounting firm. The winner is presented with the National Space Trophy.

Previous National Space Trophy winners can be viewed by clicking here.

The Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation Stellar Awards were established to recognize outstanding individuals and teams from industry and government who have made significant contributions to the future of our nation's space program.

Each year, people who have made a preeminent contribution to space exploration are nominated by government, industry, professional organizations, and individuals. A ballot is voted upon by the Foundation's Board of Advisors, which is made up of leaders who are intimately involved in the space program. These confidential votes are tabulated by an independent accounting firm. The winner is presented with the National Space Trophy.

In addition to the National Space Trophy, nominations for Stellar Awards for individual and team achievements are also solicited each year from the government, military, and industry. Stellar Awards recognize outstanding team contributions as well as individuals. In order to ensure recognition of individuals at all stages of their careers, nominations are solicited for three categories: early-career employees, up to age 35; mid-career employees, age 36 to 50, and late career contributors, those over age 50. The nominations are reviewed by a committee of distinguished scientists, engineers, managers, and academicians who select the winners based on whose accomplishments hold the greatest promise for furthering future activities in space.

The winners of the Stellar Award are announced each year at the annual National Space Trophy Dinner held in Houston, Texas. The Stellar Award presentations are a highlight of the dinner.

The previous nominees for the RNASA Stellar Awards have been mostly in science and engineering, but nominations are not limited to those fields. Any individual or team whose efforts have contributed to the nation's future in space will be considered. The Stellar Awards are highly regarded and are an opportunity to recognize outstanding individuals in the government, military and aerospace industry.

Previous Stellar Award winners can be viewed by clicking here.