MEIT Maryland-based employee wins RNASA Stellar Award

MEI Technologies, Inc. (MEIT) officials announced today Maryland-based employee Nicholas Costen received the prestigious Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Stellar Award at the 26th annual RNASA Foundation gala in Houston. Winners, selected by a distinguished committee, are based on which accomplishments hold the greatest promise for furthering future activities in space.

Costen, a Stellar Award winner in the mid-career category, received the award for his outstanding innovation in the advancement of detector technology including process development used in fabrication of the micro-shutter array for the James Webb Space Telescope.

“It was a great privilege to represent MEIT at the RNASA gala, and I am thankful to the Foundation for highlighting the exciting achievements and future challenges facing the space industry,” shared MEIT Systems Engineer, Nicholas Costen. “It reminded me of the importance of remembering the ultimate customers–the astronauts and scientists–when I do my work.  I am proud to be a part of MEIT and the space community.”

“We are proud of Nick and his work supporting the Electrical Systems Engineering Services (ESES) contract at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center,” said General Manager, Capital Region and ESES Program Manager for MEIT, Dwight Yoder. “He exemplifies the quality of our employees; I am grateful to RNASA for celebrating cutting-edge professionals in the space industry.”

The Foundation recognized 21 individuals and seven teams with Stellar Awards. MEIT had 6 individual nominations and 1 team nomination. Highlighting the night, the Director of NASA Johnson Space Center, Michael Coats, was honored with the National Space Trophy.