Two staffers from Aerojet, Jaime Martinez and Vicente Mendoza, have been honored with one of NASA's most prestigious awards -- the "Silver Snoopy." The awards were personally presented at Aerojet's Redmond, Wash. facility by astronaut Dr. Michael Barratt, a NASA Mission Specialist.

"Aerojet is honored to count these two exceptional workers among our employees," said Scott Neish, president of Aerojet.

"With a combined experience of more than 50 years, Vicente and Jaime embody Aerojet's values and culture -- their commitment to flight safety and mission success is exemplary."

NASA's "Silver Snoopy" award recognizes outstanding individual efforts which contribute to the success and safety of human space flight missions and is received by less than one percent of the nation's space program workforce. The award is a sterling silver lapel pin in the form of Snoopy wearing a space helmet and space suit that has flown on the Space Shuttle mission.

In addition, Mr. Martinez and Mr. Mendoza were each given a certificate of appreciation and commendation letter signed by Dr. Barratt.

Aerojet designed and built the two Orbital Maneuvering Engines, 38 Primary thrusters, six Vernier thrusters and seven gas generators that fly on each Shuttle mission. Aerojet's Redmond facility continues to service, refurbish and manufacture spare parts, replacement thrusters and gas generators.

Both Mr. Mendoza and Mr. Martinez have been involved in the space workforce for more than 30 years, and have been key contributors to the stellar track record of the RCS. Mr. Mendoza is a sheet metal fabricator, demonstrating a particular talent in the manufacture of Chamber/Nozzle assemblies which require precision equal to less than the thickness of a human hair to achieve a proper weld. Mr. Martinez is the lead assembler for the thrusters. Without Mr. Martinez' insight, background, and dedication the success of the thrusters and spares program would have been much more difficult to achieve.

FMI: www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/sfa/snoopy.html, www.gencorp.com, www.aerojet.com