Gen. Dailey will announce this year's winners and unveil a case with artifacts related to winners' achievements. The Stardust team, awarded the 2008 Current Achievement Trophy, accomplished the first U.S. robotic sample return mission beyond the moon and the first collection of comet material for study on Earth. Col. Kittinger, awarded this year's Lifetime Achievement Trophy, is arguably the most important balloonist active since 1945. While participating in U.S. Air Force high-altitude balloon research programs in the 1960s, he parachuted from 102,800 feet. This world record for the highest parachute jump and longest free fall still stands today.

The National Air and Space Museum Trophy is awarded annually for outstanding achievements in the fields and history of aerospace science and technology. Established in 1985, the award recognizes outstanding achievement in scientific and technological endeavors relating to air and space technology and exploration.

More information about the National Air and Space Museum Trophy and a complete list of past winners are available at http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/aero/trophy/nasm.cfm.

This event is made possible by the generous support of Safe Flight Instrument Corporation.

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