NASA Manager Honored for Launching New Era of Private-Sector Spacecraft

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Sep 23, 2014, 01:46 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Alan Lindenmoyer, manager of NASA's Commercial Crew and Cargo Program at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston, was presented a prestigious medal for government service at a gala in Washington Monday.

Lindenmoyer was selected from more than 400 nominees to receive a Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal (Sammies) for his significant work to stimulate efforts within the private sector to develop and demonstrate commercial cargo and human spaceflight services.

"Day in and day out, the employees of NASA go above and beyond the call of duty, and along the way, they turn science fiction into science fact," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. "A little more than a year after we retired the space shuttle, Alan and his team returned space station cargo resupply missions to the U.S., partnering with American industry to get the job done. This 'Launch America' initiative laid the groundwork for the return of human spaceflight launches to U.S. soil and the awarding of the first-ever contracts to American companies to send our astronauts to the International Space Station. It is this kind of innovative, can-do spirit all NASA employees bring to their mission, and I am proud and honored to have the opportunity to work with them."

Through partnering with American commercial industry, Lindenmoyer led the effort that has launched a new era of private-sector orbital transportation while reducing the costs to taxpayers of building and deploying rockets and spacecraft.

Cargo spacecraft built by two American companies -- Orbital Sciences Corp. of Dulles, Virginia, and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, California -- have successfully delivered cargo and supplies to the space station, including research materials to support hundreds of scientific investigations.

On Sept. 16, NASA unveiled its selection of The Boeing Company in Houston and SpaceX to transport U.S. crews to and from the space station using their CST-100 and Crew Dragon spacecraft, respectively, with a goal of ending the nation's sole reliance on Russia in 2017.

The Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals pay tribute to America's dedicated federal workforce, highlighting those who have made significant contributions to our country. Honorees are chosen based on their commitment and innovation, as well as the impact of their work on addressing the needs of the nation. More than 400 nominations were submitted for the 2014 medals. A committee of leaders in government, academia, the private sector, media and philanthropy selected the winners.

For more information about Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals and a full list of the 2014 winners, visit:

http://www.servicetoamericamedals.org

For more information about the International Space Station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

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SOURCE NASA