2009 Debus Award Winner:
ASRC's John R. (Dick) Lyon
Click here to view photos of this year's Debus Dinner.
John R. (Dick) Lyon, vice president of Florida operations and program manager
for ASRC Aerospace Corporation, has been selected by the National Space Club
Florida Committee to receive its 2009 Dr. Kurt H. Debus Award.
“The Space Club is proud to honor Dick for this prestigious
award,” said National Space Club Chair Roy Tharpe. “Dick’s almost 50 year service
to our nation’s space program has spanned from his work for NASA during the Apollo
era with Dr. Debus to his current role at ASRC, which is supporting the next era
of human spaceflight. His dedication toward excellence has been both steadfast and
noteworthy in its influence in our space program.”
In Lyon’s present role
as Vice President and leader of an ASRC Aerospace team of 600, he supports NASA
in the design and development of KSC ground checkout and servicing systems for
the nation’s next human space flight endeavor to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
From 1997 to 2003, he led an Engineering Development Contract run by Dynacs
Engineering Company at KSC that received a special agency-wide award for the
most significant innovation of the year, a design that allowed a timely and safe
repair of the Space Shuttle at the launch pad.
Before his industry
roles, Lyon had a 34-year career as a KSC civil
servant, with leadership positions as a senior executive for 17 years. This
included serving as Chief of the Shuttle Design Project Office, Director of
Project Engineering, Director of Mechanical and Structural Engineering, and
Deputy Director of Design Engineering through the turnover of the Launch Complex
39B Shuttle launch pad. He was also Deputy Director of Payload Operations during
the Spacelab and Hubbell Space Telescope timeframe, was the KSC Program Manager
for Space Station, and retired as the Director of Logistics.
Arriving at KSC in
1964, Lyon was assigned the role of planning
and managing the layout of ground servicing equipment for the Apollo and Lunar
Module spacecraft at Launch Complexes 34, 37, and 39. In this role he worked with many NASA
icons, leading design review discussions with Dr. Debus and Dr. Von Braun and
familiarizing Dr. George Low and the Apollo astronauts with the Mobile Launcher
and launch pad. As the Project Manager for the Space Nuclear Power and Lunar
Surface Experiments, Lyon worked directly with
Dr. Debus to establish ground-breaking policy for handling nuclear materials at
KSC. As the KSC expert, he worked directly with the Atomic Energy Commission and
was among those who briefed President Jimmy Carter and the seven original
Mercury astronauts during their visits to KSC.
During the early ’70s,
as an employee in the Shuttle Engineering Project Office, Lyon negotiated KSC’s role for developing unique ground support systems with
the NASA flight hardware development centers, which resulted in establishing
KSC’s responsibilities for ground systems development. He moved into roles of
increasing responsibility in Design Engineering while leading the design and
implementation of KSC Space Shuttle facilities and systems such as the landing
facility and pads A and B at Launch Complex 39.
As KSC’s Space Station
Program Manager, Lyon took on the task of
convincing senior NASA management to build the current Space Station Processing
Facility (SSPF). He continued to provide leadership for the design and
implementation of the SSPF, which could successfully test and integrate almost
any space payload configuration.
Lyon aunhceshas also served in many
other capacities during his KSC career including President of the NASA Kennedy
Management Association, Chairman of the 27th Space Congress, Chairman of the
Center Awards Committee, and was a featured speaker at numerous events including
a Nickelodeon TV production on the Space Station.
About the Debus Award
Dr. Kurt H. Debus
The Debus Award was created by the National Space NSCFL Florida Committee to recognize
significant achievements and contributions made in Florida to American aerospace
efforts. It is named for the Kennedy Space Center's first Director, Dr Kurt Debus.
The award was conceived and first bestowed in 1990 as an adjunct to the Robert J.
Goddard award given each year by the National Space NSCFL in Washington, D.C. to
an individual who stood out in the aerospace field on a national level. The Debus
Award focuses on efforts in Florida and include individuals associated with launch
vehicles, spacecraft operations, ground support services, range activities, space
education and spaceport research and development.
Each honoree is presented with a small copy of the Debus Award Trophy, a stainless
steel kinetic sculpture dubbed "Ribbon of Space" by its contemporary artist
creator Elijah David Herschler. His work can be seen at the Kennedy Space Center,
the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., Mercedes Benz World Headquarters
in Stuttgart and New York, and numerous private collections in the United States
and Europe.
Criteria for Selection
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be a Florida resident at the time of the nomination.
- Have a professional career associated with technical achievement, education, or
management of aerospace activities
- Be recognized by the aerospace community for current significant contributions to
the space program.
Past Debus Award Recipients
1990 George F. Page
Launch director for the first space shuttle mission in 1981, Page retired as a deputy
director of the Kennedy Space Center after a long career in launch operations during
the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. He died in March 2002.
1991 Lyle J. Holloway
Long time director of launch operations for McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Co.'s
workhorse Delta rocket program at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
1992 Forrest McCartney
A retired three-star Air Force general was director of the Kennedy Space Center
during the critical return to flight period following the 1986 Challenger disaster.
1993 Bill Nelson
A longtime U.S. Congressman for Florida's Space Coast who flew aboard shuttle Columbia
during January 1986.
1994 Robert B. Sieck
Veteran NASA manager who was shuttle launch director at the Kennedy Space Center
during the return to flight period following the 1986 Challenger disaster and then
was director of all shuttle launch processing and operations before he retired.
1995 George Faenza
Vice President and General Manager of McDonnell Douglas Space and Defense Systems
at the Kennedy Space Center responsible for preparing shuttle payloads and cargo
for launch. He died in 1999.
1996 Lee Solid
Vice President and General Manager of Rockwell Florida Operations, responsible for
supporting shuttle operations at the Kennedy Space Center following a lengthy career
associated with rocket engines used during Mercury, Gemini and Apollo.
1997 Dr. Maxwell King
As president of Brevard Community College on Florida's Space Coast, long time community
leader and supporter of education programs to benefit the aerospace and technology
sectors.
1998 JoAnn Morgan
An associate director of Kennedy Space Center and NASA's first female engineer working
at Cape Canaveral.
1999 Edward A. O'Connor, Jr.
First Executive Director of what is now called the Florida Space Authority, who
as an Air Force officer led the shuttle Challenger debris recovery effort and later
managed commercial Titan launch operations at Cape Canaveral.
2000 Ernie Briel
President of BRPH Architect and Engineering Co., with a long history of designing
and building space launch facilities at Cape Canaveral dating back to Project Mercury.
2001 Roy Bridges
A retired Air Force officer and former astronaut who flew in 1985 and later commanded
what is now called the 45th Space Wing, he is current director of the Kennedy Space
Center.
2002 Rick Abramson
President and chief operating officer of Delaware North Parks Services of Spaceport,
Inc., he manages the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for NASA, responsible
for educating and inspiring millions of guests each year.
2003 Adrian Laffitte
Director of Atlas launch operations for Lockheed Martin at Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station, he oversaw the destruction and rebuilding of complex 41, leading to the
successful launch of the Atlas 5, the first Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle to
fly.
2004 John "Tip" Talone
NASA’s director of space station payload operations at the Kennedy Space Center,
he managed the processing of International Space Station components, science experiments
and cargo before the hardware was launched into Earth orbit during a critical year
of station assembly.
2005 Richard Beagley
Richard C. (Dick) Beagley is Vice President of Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance
for United Space Alliance (USA), reporting directly to President and CEP Mike McCulley.
Located in Florida, he is responsible for safety, quality, and mission assurance
for the International Space Station and Space Shuttle Programs, and for developing
and maintaining total quality systems throughout USA.
Prior to assuming these positions with USA, Beagley was Director of Safety, Reliability,
and Quality Assurance for USBI, a division of United Technologies, for 10 years
before the company transitioned to USA in 1999 to become the Solid Rocket Booster
(SRB) Element. He also held the additional responsibility of managing the Quality
Assurance and Environmental Health & Safety activities as a Center of Excellence
for Pratt & Whitney Space Propulsion Operations. In that position, he reported
directly to the President of Pratt & Whitney Space Propulsion.
Prior to joining USBI, Beagley held numerous management positions in aerospace and
other fields. He was a System Safety Supervisor and Test Conductor during the Apollo
Program and left the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in 1971 to become Administrative
Assistant to the Attorney General of Florida.
In 1979, he returned to KSC as Manager of System Safety for Rockwell International
on the Space Shuttle Program. In this position, Beagley was directly involved in
the planning for the first 10 Space Shuttle launches and landings. In 1984, he became
Manager of Industrial Hygiene, Safety and Technical Training at Rockwell's nuclear
operations in Hanford, Washington. Following the Challenger accident in 1986, he
returned to the Shuttle program with Rockwell, transferring to Downey, California
to manage several return-to-flight projects. In 1988 he came back to KSC to manange
the transition of the Orbiter Logistics Contract from California to Florida. Active
in community affairs, Beagley has served as Chairman for the Brevard Community College
Board of Governors and The National Space NSCFL Florida Committee. He also serves
on the Brevard Symphony Orchestra's Board of Directors, Brevard Museum of Art &
Science Board of Trustees and the Health First Foundation Heart Institute Advisory
Board and is a recipient of the coveted NASA Public Service Award. A graduate of
Eastern Washington University, Beagley resides in Merritt Island with his wife Gail.
2006 Jim Kennedy
James W. Kennedy is the eighth director of NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC),
Fla. Prior to this appointment, he served as KSC's deputy director and earlier as
the deputy director of NASA's George C. Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville,
Ala. Kennedy began his career with NASA in 1968 in the Aerospace Engineering Cooperative
Education Program, first at KSC and then at MSFC. After earning his Bachelor of
Science degree in mechanical engineering from Auburn University in 1972, he was
called to active duty with the U.S. Air Force. In 1977, he received his Master's
in business administration from Georgia Southern University. Kennedy's work experience
includes serving as project manager for major projects, such as the X-34, DC-XA,
and Solid Rocket Booster Projects. He served as deputy director of MSFC's Science
and Engineering Directorate and later as the first director of the Center's Engineering
Directorate. He has received numerous awards, including the National Space NSCFL's
Astronautics Engineer of the Year Award, MSFC Leadership Award, the Silver Snoopy
Award, NASA's Distinguished Service Medal, and the Presidential Rank of Meritorious
and Distinguished Service Awards.
2007 Bruce Melnick
Mr. Melnick is being recognized for his outstanding personal and professional efforts
in supporting the U.S. space program throughout his career, both as a NASA astronaut
and as a key contractor manager supporting operations at the Kennedy Space Center.
Mr. Melnick is being recognized for his outstanding personal and professional efforts
in supporting the U.S. space program throughout his career, both as a NASA astronaut
and as a key contractor manager supporting operations at the Kennedy Space Center.
2008 Brigadier General Susan J. Helms
General Helms is Commander of the 45th Space Wing and the Director of the Eastern
Range at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. She
is the final approval authority for all launches on the Eastern Range, a 15-million-square-mile
area that includes a complex network of radar, telemetry, optics and telecommunication
instrumentation operating from Newfoundland to the West Coast of Africa. She is
responsible for the processing and launch of Department of Defense satellites and
also provides launch range support for NASA and commercial satellites from Cape
Canaveral. Since taking command in June 2007, she has directed 24 successful launches.
NASA Shuttle missions support further construction of the International Space Station
and their expendable missions advance our nation's scientific achievements and exploration
of space. Department of Defense missions directly contribute to the defense of our
nation and war on terrorism by delivering space-base navigation, communication and
intelligence capabilities. During her tenure the wing also garnered an EXCELLENT
Operational Readiness Inspection rating which is designed to rigorously test the
Wing's readiness to defend the installation and deploy our forces for world contingencies.
As Wing Commander, she also leads the Air Force as a pathfinder in Air Force Smart
Operations for the 21st Century (AFSO21) initiatives. Through her unique leadership
she is streamlining the launch safety approval processes, launch processing, range
operations processes, and facility management processes.
Selected by NASA in January 1990, General Helms became an astronaut in July 1991.
She flew on STS-54 (1993), STS-64 (1994), STS-78 (1996) and STS-101 (2000), and
served aboard the International Space Station as a member of the Expedition-2 crew
(2001). A veteran of five space flights, General Helms has logged 211 days in space,
including a spacewalk of 8 hours and 56 minutes, a world record.
General Helms is a national hero who has excelled as both a military space leader
and space pioneer in our Astronaut Corps.