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Susan Hendrix
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.      February 11, 2003
(Phone: 301-286-7745)
Susan.M.Hendrix{at}nasa.gov

Release: 03-15

GODDARD ENGINEER AMONG 2003 INDUCTEES TO 
NATIONAL INVENTORS HALL OF FAME

Frank J. Cepollina, an engineer at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center 
who leads the team responsible for the on-orbit missions that keep 
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope in peak condition, is one of 17 
inductees named today to the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame is the nation's preeminent center for the recognition 
of invention and creativity. Cepollina was chosen for his pioneering 
concept of on-orbit satellite servicing by astronauts. The 
announcement was made today at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. 
Cepollina will be officially inducted into to the Hall of Fame, 
located in Akron, Ohio, on May 3.

The inductees named today were chosen "to pay tribute to one of the 
greatest accomplishments of humankind by recognizing 17 inventors 
whose ideas have advanced the fields of aviation and science," 
according to the announcement by the National Inventors Hall of Fame. 
"From developing airplanes that fly non-stop around the world, to jets 
that travel faster than the speed of sound, and rockets that can 
launch us into space space, this year's inductees have left their mark 
on the past 100 years of flight, exploring new frontiers in the world 
around us."

After leading the world's first orbiting repair mission in 1984, as 
well as several other astronaut-assisted service calls, Cepollina 
orchestrated the historic 1993 repair of the Hubble Space Telescope. 
He led three subsequent Hubble servicing missions, which added 
powerful new cameras and science instruments. Now he is preparing for 
the next mission to Hubble, currently scheduled for late 2004, which 
will equip the telescope with even more advanced capabilities.

Cepollina's involvement with Hubble dates back to the mid-1970s, when 
he contributed to the telescope's modular instrument design, as well 
as its scientific command and control subsystem. Later, as Satellite 
Servicing Project Manager, he directed the design of the generic 
servicing platforms and instrument carriers that would be used on 
Hubble and many other NASA spacecraft. He has been involved in 
designing Hubble's astronaut interfaces and power tools since the 
inception of the program.

As manager of the Hubble Space Telescope Development Project, 
Cepollina leads the on-orbit missions that keep Hubble in peak 
condition throughout its 20-year lifetime. Located at NASA's Goddard 
Space Flight Center, Cepollina is also responsible for developing all 
the new science instruments and replacement hardware that keep Hubble 
on the cutting edge of technology throughout its long life.

The National Inventors Hall of Fame, located in Akron, Ohio, was 
founded to celebrate the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of great 
inventors. The hall is dedicated to the individuals who have brought 
about technological advances that have greatly increased the general 
welfare of society. Founded in 1973 and sponsored by the U.S. Patent & 
Trademark Office, the National Inventors Hall of Fame honors the women 
and men responsible for the great technological advances that make 
human, social, and economic progress possible.

The Hall of Fame's goals include inspiring people of all ages to use 
knowledge in creative ways to solve problems, creating positive 
changes that encourage under-represented populations to succeed in 
science and technology, and encouraging participatory, engaging 
methods of teaching science, technology, and creativity as the 
foundation for invention.

Cepollina's many other prestigious awards include NASA's Exceptional 
Achievement Award, the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, and the 
National Space Club Eagle Manned Mission Success Award. In April 1995, 
he received the University of Santa Clara Distinguished Engineering 
Alumni Award and was inducted into the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor 
Society as an Eminent Engineer. He was named a finalist for the 1997 
Design News Engineer of the Year Award. In February 2000, he was 
awarded NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center's highest honor for mission 
success, the Robert C. Baumann Memorial Award.  Most recently, his and 
his team received the Aviation Week & Space Technology Laurels Award 
for Outstanding Achievement.

He and his wife Ann have four children, one deceased, and seven 
grandchildren.

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