WASHINGTON -- NASA's Space Flight Awareness Program recently recognized William "Woody" Turner of Nashville, Tenn. for outstanding support of human space flight.

Turner, who works at NASA Headquarters in Washington, helped create the agency's research program in biodiversity. He has been at the forefront in recognizing the role that space-based observations can play in providing information about the environmental conditions that influence species distributions. Because of his efforts, NASA now has a vigorous and growing biodiversity program.

For his contributions, Turner traveled last week to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to tour the center and participate in activities in conjunction with the planned launch of space shuttle Endeavour on the STS-134 mission to the International Space Station.

NASA's Space Flight Awareness Program recognizes outstanding job performances and contributions by civil service and contract employees throughout the year and focuses on excellence in quality and safety in support of human space flight.

The Honoree Award is one of the highest honors presented to employees for their dedication to quality work and flight safety. Recipients must have contributed beyond their normal work requirements toward achieving a particular human space flight program goal; contributed to a major cost savings; been instrumental in developing material that increases reliability, efficiency or performance; assisted in operational improvements; or been a key player in developing a beneficial process improvement.

Source: NASA

Published May 7, 2011