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"The Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Foundation (RNASA) was established in 1985 (the first official board meeting of RNASA was October 15, 1985) by the Rotary Club of Space Center to organize and coordinate an annual awards event to recognize outstanding achievements in space and create greater public awareness of the benefits of space exploration. People who have made a preeminent contribution to space exploration were nominated by government, industry, professional organizations, and individuals. The winner was presented with The National Space Trophy. Nominations for Stellar Awards for individual and team achievements were solicited from NASA, the military, and industry leaders in human and unmanned spaceflight programs." See History Page.

 

"The first Rotary National Award for Space Achievement was presented to Dr. Maxime A. Faget on March 12, 1987. The [RNASA] foundation began in 1985 when Club member Owen Morris approached Charles Hartman, President of Rotary Year 1984-85, with the idea of having a National Space Trophy to honor U. S. Achievements in Space Activities. “We need to recognize individuals and/or groups who have led us into the space age and who better to do this than the Space Center Rotary Club” noted Owen. Club President Hartman agreed with the idea and started the process moving. Club members made many visits to the appropriate committees and foundations of the Houston Rotary Club to learn how they formed and structured their annual Vince Lombardi Award Dinner held each fall to honor the college football lineman of the year, a national event. The Club decided to have a formal organization and asked Club member Billy R. Smith to establish a foundation incorporated in the State of Texas. Thus was born the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Foundation with Charles Hartman as the first Chairman." See History Page.

Per our own Bob's words when he wrote about RNASA in May of 2008,  "...Charlie was the current President (1984-85) of Space Center Rotary and an avid Rotarian with many ideas of his own. We called Charlie the Propeller Man because, although he did not work for NASA or one of the NASA contractors or in aerospace, he was command pilot of multi- engine bombers (B-24’s, etc.), all propeller driven... Owen’s move was extremely fortunate...  Charlie thought Owen was on to something, and he bounced it off me. I thought it was exactly the right thing to do. And although it would be a monumental task, I had no doubt that we could pull it off... Anyway, we immediately started forming the core group – Jack Lister (Jack), Billy Smith (Billy), etc. As we talked to more Rotarians, the enthusiasm began to snowball...  We had to borrow seed money from the Club to get started including $35,000 for the large display trophy, a truly great work of art of leaded crystal. All borrowed funds were repaid to the Club... Some have asked who were the founders of RNASA. That is difficult to answer because we have had so many fine, dedicated individuals contribute to the success and good fortune of our enterprise. There is no doubt it was originally Owen Morris’s suggestion. Perhaps, the best way to approach an answer is to include all of the individuals who were involved in the initial core group, or committee, if you like, as founding fathers or founders...So many gave of their time, effort, and ideas it is a difficult question to answer fairly..." See History Page.