NASA's Silver Snoopy Award Goes to Karen Scott

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (9/17/0) -- Dr. Karen Scott of The Aerospace Corporation's Houston has received NASA's prestigious Silver Snoopy Award in recognition of her support to the Space Shuttle and International Space Station (ISS) programs.

The Silver Snoopy is given by NASA's Astronaut Office to those who have significantly enhanced the space agency's goals for the human exploration and development of space. The award is a sterling silver pin designed for the astronaut corps by the late Charles Schulz, creator of the Peanuts comic strip.

Scott was presented with a pin that flew on space shuttle mission STS-44, along with a framed letter of commendation, by astronaut Mario Runco for her work over a period of more than 10 years in developing a window of the highest optical quality ever flown on a crewed spacecraft.

This 20-inch-diameter window was installed on the Destiny laboratory module, which was launched and attached to the space station in February.

Great Views, Important Studies

The window's extraordinary clarity, in addition to providing great views for astronauts, will enable important Earth-science studies to be undertaken with sophisticated telescopes, cameras, and remote-sensing equipment.

Scott, an optical scientist, also was recognized for contributions to the development of the Window Observational Research Facility, which will provide the mechanical, electrical, and thermal services required by remote sensing devices that will use the window.

"It was really special receiving the award from Mario since we have worked as a team for more than five years, and it was a team effort that launched this window onto the space station," said Scott after the award was presented.