The Aerospace Corporation awarded The Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service

Dr. Austin accepting the award from the Honorable Michael Donley.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., June 7, 2010 -- Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley presented The Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service to The Aerospace Corporation today in recognition of 50 years of service. Aerospace President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Wanda Austin accepted the award during a ceremony at the company's headquarters.

"You (Aerospace) have certainly played a valuable role in the defense of our nation for 50 years, touching almost every aspect of military operations," Donley said. "Throughout this history, you've sustained a strong base of technical talent that we will need going forward."

The Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service is the second-highest award given by the secretary of defense to private citizens, organizations, political appointees, or foreign nationals. It is given for contributions and support to Department of Defense functions.

"I am proud to accept this award on behalf of the thousands of Aerospace employees who contributed to our success," said Austin. "Our greatest asset has always been our people, who for 50 years have dedicated themselves to assuring the mission."

The citation reads:

The Aerospace Corporation is recognized for outstanding public service as a key Federally Funded Research and Development Center, from June 1960 to June 2010. For 50 years, the Aerospace Corporation has served the Department of Defense with honor, distinction and integrity, touching almost every aspect of modern military and space operations. Their uncompromising focus on mission assurance in all system development, sustainment and operations was responsible for vital support to virtually every US and Allied Warfighter. The Aerospace Corporation played a key role in overcoming the catastrophic space program challenges and mission failures of the 1980's and 90's. Since 1999, we have achieved superb mission success in launches and placed dozens of critical space assets safely in orbit. Aerospace was critical to each one of these successes. The distinctive accomplishments of the Aerospace Corporation reflect great credit upon itself and the Department of Defense.

Contact Pam Keeton, 703-812-0648 or Pamela.V.Keeton@aero.org.