The Sir Arthur Clarke Award is a British award given annually since 2005 in recognition of notable contributions to space exploration, particularly British achievements. Nominations for the awards are made by members of the public, with shortlists drawn up by a panel of judges, who also choose the winner. Sir Arthur C. Clarke chose a special award independently of the public nominations.
Sir Arthur Clarke Awards 2006
The glass version of the George Abbey Award
George William Samuel Abbey was an American NASA administrator and United States Air Force pilot. Graduating from the Air Force Institute of Technology as an electrical engineer, he then served in the United States Air Force and the Apollo program. He subsequently became director of flight crews for the Space Shuttle, then director of the Johnson Space Center. Honors include the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, three NASA Distinguished Service Medals and the 1970 Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Abbey shaking hands with Astronaut C. Gordon Fullerton, as the crew of STS-51-F disembark the Space Shuttle Challenger.
2007 George Abbey Special Award