2011 Florida National Defense Space Award Honoree Captain Steven A. Nielson

Please click here to view the Florida National Defense Space Awards Luncheon photos.

Capt Nielson, GPS Division Chief at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, began his Air Force career as an Avionics Systems Engineer at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on the C-5 Avionics Modernization Program. He then served as Flight Test Engineer on the C-5 Re-Engining and Reliability Enhancement Program and Systems Engineer on the C-130 Avionics Modernization Program.

Following these assignments, Capt Nielson was assigned to the 45th Launch Support Squadron at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station as the Space-Based Infrared Systems (SBIRS) Field Program Manager. He then was assigned to his current position of GPS Division Chief where he participates in the processing and launch of GPS IIF satellites.

Capt Nielson graduated from Arizona State University in 2002 and was commissioned through the Air Force's Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama in 2004. He is currently working on a Master's in Military Operational Art and Science from Air University. His major awards and decorations include Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

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About the Award

The Florida National Defense Space Award was created in 2005 by the National Space NSCFL Florida Committee to recognize significant achievements and contributions made by Depa
rtment of Defense (DoD) personnel while on duty in the State of Florida.  The award celebrates major contributions of DoD active duty military, DoD civilians and DoD contractors in space-related areas that significantly contribute to the defense of our nation.

Nominees for this award can come from any DoD or contractor organization and any level within their organization in the State of Florida.  Nominees may include active duty DoD officers and enlisted personnel, DoD civil servants, and contractors directly performing for the DoD in a space-related area.  The intent of this award is to honor individuals, who, through their duty while stationed in Florida, make major contributions to the defense of our nation in a space-related area.

At an appropriate ceremony, each honoree, or their designee, will be presented with a plaque that the recipient will keep.  Also, each honoree’s name and date of award will be inscribed on a separate plaque that will be maintained by the Space NSCFL to honor the recipients of all previous awards.  Each year the Space NSCFL will request nominations through public announcements, it’s web site, and letters to senior commanders of major DoD installations in Florida.  Nominations may be accepted from any person within a DoD or DoD contractor organization in Florida.  The Space NSCFL reserves the right to validate facts from senior officials.    

DOD Award on Display in Tallahassee Capitol Bldg Fl 22

Nomination and Selection Guidelines

1. The nominee must have been on active duty as officer or enlisted member of the United States Armed Forces, or as an active duty government civil servant or contractor performing work for the Department of Defense.
2. The accomplishments cited in the nomination must have significantly contributed to the success of our nation’s defense in a space-related area.
3. The accomplishments cited in the nomination must have been accomplished while the individual’s permanent duty station was in the State of Florida.

Submit a written nomination for the National Defense Space Award to either:
The National Space Club Florida
PO Box 21243
Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32815-0243

or info@nscfl.org

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Past Award Recipients