A brand new worldwide award named for the primary individual to step foot on the moon will honor excellence in “house discovery” as established by the varsity generally known as “the cradle of astronauts.”
The “Neil Armstrong House Prize” was introduced by Purdue College on Sunday (July 20) — the 56th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon touchdown — at an occasion held in Washington, D.C. The respect is meant to share the identical clout because the Nobel Prize, however for developments in house exploration.
“This prize carries Armstrong’s title and Purdue’s house legacy,” mentioned Mung Chiang, president of Purdue College, in an announcement launched by the varsity. “We unveil the creation of a Nobel-level prize for house at a transformational time for the following big leaps in house.”
Eight out of Purdue’s 22 dwelling astronaut alums joined Chiang on the Nationwide Constructing Museum to assist introduce the prize. The Indiana college has the excellence of being the alma matter for extra astronauts than some other college (28 in complete). The award’s namesake, Neil Armstrong, acquired his undergraduate diploma in aeronautical engineering from Purdue in 1955.
Led by seven-time house shuttle mission specialist Jerry Ross, the seven different astronauts on the occasion included fellow shuttle veterans Roy Bridges, Mark Polansky and Charlie Walker, in addition to suborbital fliers Sirisha Bandla, Marc Eagle, Beth Moses and Audrey Powers.
Set to be bestowed for the primary time subsequent 12 months, the Armstrong Prize will likely be awarded in three classes: applied sciences that enhance life on Earth, discoveries that improve our data in regards to the universe and achievements in house exploration that encourage future achievements.
Nominations for people or groups to obtain the inaugural prize will likely be accepted starting in August via Nov. 1, 2025.
The choice committee consists of former NASA affiliate administrator Jim Free, SpaceX Starbase supervisor Kathy Lueders, former president of Blue Origin Rob Meyerson and the previous head of NASA’s science division Thomas Zurbuchen. The panel is chaired by Dan Dumbacher, professor of engineering apply at Purdue.
“At a time when house is extra accessible than ever, this award goals to encourage the following era of house leaders whereas highlighting Purdue’s enduring function in house analysis, exploration, safety and partnerships with NASA, the U.S. House Drive and the industrial house sector,” mentioned Arvind Raman, the John A. Edwardson Dean of Purdue’s School of Engineering.
