Air Force Space Command recognizes Hall of Fame inductees

Published Sept. 13, 2016
By Philip Carter
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- For the last 19 years, Air Force Space Command has honored a select group of individuals who had significant and lasting contributions to the development of space, missile programs and AFSPC.

The annual Air Force Space & Missile Pioneer, Hall of Fame ceremony took place Sept. 8, 2016, at the Peterson Air Force Base Club, and was hosted by Gen. John E. Hyten, AFSPC commander.

Three outstanding individuals were inducted into the Hall of Fame, including Gen. Thomas S. Moorman Jr., retired Maj. Gen. Robert A. Rosenberg, and retired Maj. Gen. Thomas D. Taverney.

Moorman played a key role in various studies and programming efforts which resulted in the establishment of an Air Force major command for space operations. As commander and vice commander of AFSPC, he was responsible for a variety of military space systems. Moorman was represented by his son, Mr. John R. Moorman.

As a member of the President's National Security Council, Rosenberg assisted in the establishment of the Space Shuttle program and formulation of President Carter's National Space Policy. Rosenberg also served as a mission controller and targeteer for the CORONA, GAMBIT and SIGINT satellites and was directly responsible for many aspects of the HEXAGON program.

Taverney is a former recipient of the Air Force Scientific Achievement Award for developing and demonstrating a new guidance approach, which subsequently allowed proof of concept for an air-launched antisatellite weapon system. He also led development of the extremely successful Commercially Hosted Infrared Program payload.

Nearly 100 people attended the luncheon.

This annual award was first given under the sponsorship of the National Space Club in Washington D.C., which honored 10 key military and civilian leaders in the Air Force space program in 1989. In 1997, in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Air Force and the 15th anniversary of the Air Force Space Command, the award was formalized into an official Air Force award. Since then a select few have been honored with the award each year.