WHO WE ARE

HONORS & AWARDS

1224px-NASA_logo.svg

Recipient: Ethan Burbridge

June 2026

Ethan Burbridge exemplifies excellence in engineering through his exceptional work as lead thermal analyst for the Lunar Environment Monitoring Station (LEMS) instrument on Artemis III. Facing one of the most challenging engineering problems in lunar exploration—designing a system to survive the two-week lunar night—Ethan delivered innovative, thoroughly analyzed solutions that met all requirements.

Ethan Burbridge's work on LEMS demonstrates outstanding commitment to excellence in engineering solutions. His combination of innovative thinking, analytical rigor, meticulous attention to detail, and dedication to requirements compliance exemplifies the highest standards of engineering practice. His contributions have been essential to transforming LEMS from concept into a mission-ready system that will advance lunar exploration capabilities for the Artemis program.

apl

Recipient: Emily Maheras

October 2025

Emily Maheras, a Thermal Engineer at Vertex Aerospace and a double graduate of Johns Hopkins Engineering (’20, ’23), was recently honored with NASA’s Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal—one of the agency’s most prestigious awards. This medal recognizes individuals whose engineering contributions have significantly advanced aerospace systems and deepened understanding in the field. Emily earned this distinction for her outstanding work on the Integrated LCRD Low Earth User Modern and Amplifier Terminal payload, specifically her innovative cooling design trades and analysis. Notably, she is among the youngest recipients of the award. Prior to her current role, she served as a NASA Thermal Engineer at Lentech, Inc. at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Beyond her technical achievements, Emily has moderated panels on the James Webb Telescope and actively volunteers with Johns Hopkins.

2024 Agency Honor Awards

Recipient(s): Evan Alexander, Santino Rosanova, and Rommel Zara

July 2025

Evan Alexander, Santino Rosanova, and Rommel Zara were honored with a Group Achievement Award for their exceptional contributions as part of the OSAM‑1 Integration & Test Team. This recognition reflects the team’s success in integrating NASA’s first robotic servicing payload onto a free‑flying spacecraft—an achievement that required overcoming complex technical challenges through innovative tooling, adaptive scheduling, and close‑knit collaboration. Their work directly advanced the On‑Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing 1 (OSAM‑1) mission, exemplifying NASA’s core values of innovation, teamwork, and engineering excellence. This award highlights the team’s pivotal role in enabling the next generation of robotic servicing capabilities in space.
Joint Polar Satellite System-2

Recipient: Michael Commons

October 2024

Michael Commons was honored with the Esprit de Corps Award during the LEO All Hands meeting, a distinction granted as part of the organization’s quarterly internal awards program and approved by the LEO Awards Board. This recognition celebrates individuals whose teamwork, dedication, and collaborative spirit significantly strengthen mission success. Michael received this award for his outstanding contributions to the NOAA‑21 (JPSS‑2) Solar Array Chassis Current Tiger Team investigation, where his efforts played a meaningful role in advancing the team’s analysis and problem‑solving outcomes. His recognition reflects both his technical impact and the positive, mission‑focused mindset that the Esprit de Corps Award is designed to acknowledge.
K-KIM_Unsung Hero

Recipient: Kevin Kim

June 2024

Kevin Kim received the Unsung Hero Award in recognition of exceptional dedication and vigilance during his work on the GOES‑R program. Kevin’s outstanding attention to detail and “eagle‑eye” technical awareness were instrumental in detecting a critical issue with the CCOR instrument during closeout activities. His proactive intervention not only safeguarded mission hardware but also exemplified the quiet, behind‑the‑scenes excellence that the Unsung Hero Award is designed to honor. Kevin’s contribution reflects a deep commitment to mission success and a high standard of professional integrity, making this recognition both well‑deserved and emblematic of his impact.
NASA Agency Award

Recipient: Emily Maheras

2023

This prestigious NASA medal was awarded to Emily Maheras for outstanding engineering efforts on the Integrated LCRD Low Earth User Modem and Amplifier Terminal payload's active and passive cooling design and analysis. This award is given for individual efforts for applications of engineering principles or methods that have resulted in a contribution of fundamental importance in this field or have significantly advanced the state of the practice as demonstrated by an application to aerospace systems.

TDRS-M Launch Award 2017 Reduced

Recipient: Nicholas Teti

August 2017

The Vertex Aerospace President/CEO has been supporting the NASA Space Network Project (Code 452) since 2002 providing extensive experience associated with the thermal control system of the TRW TDRS 3-7 satellites (Generation 1) and the Boeing TDRS 8-10 satellites (Generation 2) and the Boeing TDRS 11 through 13 satellites (Generation 3). Mr. Teti utilizes his experience and knowledge to monitor the health and safety of the thermal control systems for the Gen 1, 2 and 3 TDRS satellites while providing oversight of additional Vertex Aerospace thermal engineers contributing analytical support to the Code 452 TDRS sustaining engineering team.

Nicholas Teti Robert H Goddard Award for Excellence in Engineering

Recipient: Nicholas Teti

January 2016

Nicholas Teti was honored with the 2015 Robert H. Goddard Exceptional Achievement Award for Engineering from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. This distinction recognizes Nicholas’s exemplary thermal engineering support for the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) and Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) missions—two programs critical to advancing NASA’s scientific and communications capabilities. His contributions demonstrated exceptional technical expertise, precision, and dedication to mission success. NASA formally acknowledged this achievement during the 2015 Robert H. Goddard Honor Awards Ceremony, underscoring Nicholas’s meaningful impact on the Center’s engineering excellence and its broader mission.
Award

Recipient: Nicholas Teti

November 2015

Nicholas Teti was awarded the NASA Silver Achievement Medal, one of NASA’s distinguished honors presented by Center Directors to both Government and non‑Government recipients. This prestigious medal recognizes a stellar achievement that meaningfully supports one or more of NASA’s Core Values. The award is reserved for contributions deemed exceptionally important and deserving of timely, personalized recognition. Nicholas’s selection for this honor reflects the outstanding impact, dedication, and excellence demonstrated in his work—qualities that align strongly with NASA’s mission and organizational principles.
Forest McFarland Award

Recipient: Nicholas Teti

2011

Nicholas Teti was recognized with the SAE Forest R. McFarland Award, an honor granted to individuals who demonstrate sustained, outstanding contributions to SAE Engineering Events. This award highlights Nicholas’s impactful role in the planning, development, and dissemination of technical information across SAE’s conferences, technical meetings, and professional development programs. His efforts helped strengthen the exchange of engineering knowledge and supported the continued advancement of the broader technical community.
Established in 1979, the award commemorates Forest R. McFarland, an influential leader within SAE who excelled as a session organizer and served as chairman of the Passenger Car Activity and as a member of the Engineering Meetings Board. Recipients of this award, including Nicholas, are honored with a framed certificate presented at an SAE event—reflecting the high regard held for those who meaningfully enhance the quality and impact of SAE’s engineering forums.