SEAS alum receives 2024 National Space Trophy

By Elizabeth Egan 

The National Space Trophy is given by the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA). Scolese was selected as this year’s recipient in recognition of his demonstrated technical brilliance, exemplary administrative skills, and outstanding leadership over his 32-year NASA career, culminating in his current position as the director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). 

“Chris’ journey from his tenure at NASA to his current position as the Director of the National Reconnaissance Office exemplifies the remarkable careers that our SEAS alums go on to lead,” said Kemper Lewis, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. “I am thrilled that he is receiving this prestigious and well-deserved recognition for his extensive career marked by exceptional leadership and a commitment to the advancement of the field of space exploration.”

Scolese graduated from the University at Buffalo in 1978 with a degree in electrical engineering and computer engineering and started his career at NASA in 1987. He worked at the Goddard Flight Center until 2001 when he moved to NASA’s Washington D.C. office. He held a number of different positions and managed the oversight for NASA’s Space Science Flight Program and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In 2005 he became the chief engineer at NASA headquarters.

In 2012 he returned to the Goddard Space Flight Center where he led a team in developing systems for Human Space Flight, Astrophysics, Planetary and Earth Science missions and the James Webb Telescope, a project that captured images of the first galaxies, formed more than 13 billion years ago. In 2019 Scolese was sworn in as the 19^th Director of the NRO and was the first to be presidentially appointed and confirmed by the Senate.

Over the course of his career Scolese has established himself as one of the world’s leading authorities in the area of space systems engineering. During his time at NASA he participated in widely known missions such as the Mars Rover Missions, the Mars Odyssey and Cassini Saturn Orbit Insertion Missions.

In 2009 he received NASA’s Distinguished Service Medal, the organizations highest honor. He has also received two NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals and the Goddard Outstanding Leadership award. In 2015 he received a SUNY honorary degree at UB. He currently serves on the advisory board for SEAS’s Department of Electrical Engineering and returned to campus in November as a distinguished speaker.

He is a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Scolese will be presented with the award at the 36^th annual RNASA Space Awards gala on April 26.