SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell presented the 2023 National Space Trophy

SpaceX President and Chief Operation Officer Gwynne Shotwell was honored with the 2023 National Space Trophy from the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation. RNASA will hold a banquet in honor of Ms. Shotwell in Houston on April 28, 2023.

Each year, an American who has made significant contributions to America’s space exploration programs is honored with RNASA’s National Space Trophy. The foundation was established in 1985 by the Space Center Rotary Club of Houston, Texas, to organize and coordinate an annual event to recognize outstanding achievement in space and raise public awareness of the benefits of space exploration.

Shotwell was positioned to oversee SpaceX’s Starship program and Starbase facilities in November 2022.

SpaceX’s Gwynne Shotwell to oversee the Starship program, Starbase facilities

Nominations for the National Space Trophy are voted on by the foundation’s board of advisors, a group made up of individuals involved in the space program. NASA center directors, space company presidents, news media, political leaders and past trophy winners are among those who serve on the foundation’s board of advisors.

Ms. Shotwell was nominated for the award by Delalune Space’s founder and CEO, Rob Meyerson. Meyerson described her as “a strong leader, engineer and trusted partner of NASA, the Air Force, the National Security community and commercial customers.”

Rodolfo Gonzalez, president of the RNASA Foundation, said: “The RNASA Foundation is pleased to recognize Ms. Shotwell as a guest of honor at the 2023 Space Award Gala.”

In 2002, Ms. Shotwell joined SpaceX as the first Vice President of Business Development. She was one of the company’s first 12 employees and was initially responsible for selling launches to commercial and government customers before SpaceX had operational rockets.

In 2008, she became President and Chief Operating Officer of SpaceX and continues to serve in that role. Under her leadership, SpaceX has achieved several historic milestones, including helping NASA return manned spaceflight to the US in 2020.

Along with the award, Ms. Shotwell will be honored with a professional portrait to be displayed afterwards at Space Center Houston and an Omega watch. RNASA issued an invitation to members of the public. Interested parties can reserve tables on one of three levels: platinum, gold or silver. Tables are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

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SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell presented the 2023 National Space Trophy