National Air and Space Museum Trophy

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.