Engineering Colloquium Recognizes Walter Squillari, Schneebaum Recipient

(Rt) Walter Squillari holds Schneebaum award with Center Director, Al Diaz. Photo by Pat Izzo/293

The Fall 2003 Engineering Colloquium began with a lecture from Dr. William Phillips on the topic of accurately measuring time and how laser-cooling gases slow moving atoms allow even more accurate time measuring. In addition the colloquium acknowledged Mr. Walter Squillari as the Schneebaum Award recipient.

According to Mr. Squillari's award abstract, he is recognized for his "unique ability to develop cutting edge Guidance, Navigation Control (GN&C) hardware utilizing advanced, state-of-the-art electronics components and practices and to take the ideas of scientists and systems engineers and develop them into extremely reliable space flight hardware."

Mr. Squillari has "influenced the designs of numerous spacecraft such as: IUE, COBE, LandSat4 and 5, XTE, TRMM, MAP and TRIANA. He continues to be involved in the design and development of current missions such as: ST5, GPM, and SDO. His untiring support and creative design methods have been indispensable to the development and technical oversight of well-designed spacecraft attitude control systems, which serve as the electronic "heart" of NASA's satellites. One of Squillari greatest NASA accomplishments was the detailed design and manufacture of all of the attitude control and stabilization electronics for the outstandingly successful COBE mission."

In addition, Squillari continues to inspire the next generation of explorers by mentoring engineers, young and throughout his "entire career and is currently mentoring 4 new hire electrical engineers in the Components and Hardware Branch. Squillari's mentoring and expertise will continue to have wide spread impact on all types of spacecraft, as he leaves a legacy of excellence through these young individuals."