The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) announced that the United States Department of the Air Force Boeing X-37B team has been named as the recipient of the 2019 Robert J. Collier Trophy for “developing and employing the world’s only reusable, autonomous spaceplane, which logged more than 2,865 days in orbit across five missions, changing access to space and serving as the nation’s workhorse in space experimentation and technology”.
“The X-37B team win of the 2019 National Aeronautic Association, Robert J. Collier Trophy exemplifies the kind of lean, agile and innovative technological development our nation needs to secure its interests,” said US Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. John ‘Jay’ Raymond. “The ability to test new systems in space and return them to Earth is unique to the X-37B and enables the US to more efficiently and effectively develop space power to maintain superiority in the space domain.”
The Collier Trophy is awarded annually for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year. The list of Collier recipients represents a timeline of air and space achievements, marking major events in the history of flight dating back to 1911.
“We are honoured to receive the Collier Trophy, along with our partners at the US Department of the Air Force, in recognition of a record-breaking year for the X-37B programme,” said Boeing Defence, Space & Security CEO Leanne Caret. “The extraordinary men and women who make up our government-industry team now take their place alongside the Collier Trophy legends who preceded them. They have made a lasting impact on aerospace development for the past decade and will influence future generations of space systems to come.”
For Editorial Inquiries Contact:
Editor Kym Bergmann at kym.bergmann@venturamedia.net
For Advertising Inquiries Contact:
Director of Sales Graham Joss at graham.joss@venturamedia.net
