Tracy Buras of Bush, a service engineer with Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne at John C. Stennis Space Center, was recognized recently by NASA’s Space Flight Awareness Program for outstanding support of human space flight.

Stennis Space Center Associate Director Rick Gilbrech presented the award to Buras during a ceremony at Stennis on Nov. 24.

Buras was recognized for his commitment, dedication and strong leadership in support of space shuttle main engine testing at Stennis. He has provided oversight and directions to technicians in performing field engineering and processing of programmatic ground support equipment requirements. In recognition of flight program contributions, Buras and 10 other employees receiving the honor traveled to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a tour of the center and an opportunity to witness the launch of STS-129. Three other Stennis employees also received awards but were unable to attend launch events.

Tracy Buras, right, of Bush, a service engineer with Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne at John C. Stennis Space Center received a certification from center Associate Director Rick Gilbrech during an on-site ceremony Nov. 24. (NASA)

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.