posted 01-30-2026 12:34 PM               

National Air and Space Museum's 2026 Michael Collins Trophy Awarded to Farouk El-Baz and Crew of Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test

The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum will award its 2026 Michael Collins Trophy to Farouk El-Baz for Lifetime Achievement, and the crew of the Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test—astronauts Sunita "Suni" Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore — will receive it for Current Achievement. These annual awards will be presented to this year's recipients at a ceremony March 26 at the museum's building in Washington, D.C.

Established in 1985, the award recognizes outstanding achievements in the fields of aerospace science and technology and their history. Trophy winners receive a miniature version of "The Web of Space," a sculpture by artist John Safer. The Michael Collins Trophy recognizes Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins' contributions to aerospace and his service to the museum as director during a critical time in its evolution.

"We are excited to announce the 2026 recipients of the Michael Collins Trophy," said Chris Browne, the John and Adrienne Mars Director of the museum. "Dr. El-Baz has had an incredibly impactful career that dates back to the Apollo program and has special meaning to the National Air and Space Museum for creating our Center for Earth and Planetary Studies. Astronauts Suni and Butch overcame immeasurable odds and adversity during their flight test with a new vehicle, helping NASA realize one of its keystone human spaceflight initiatives of the 21st century — the Commercial Crew Program. We are thrilled to present these awards to recipients so deserving of this honor."

Lifetime Achievement Recipient — Farouk El-Baz

Farouk El-Baz has devoted his life to advancing science, supporting the scientific community, protecting the environment and promoting human exploration and achievement. As one of the Apollo program's key scientists, El-Baz led the selection of scientifically valuable landing sites and trained Apollo astronauts to act as geologists during their time on the moon. He had a specific interest in instructing command module pilots, as he recognized the immense value of orbital observations of the moon.

After the Apollo program, Collins, then director of the museum, hired El-Baz to lead the museum's new Center for Earth and Planetary Studies. El-Baz worked on a variety of missions and research projects during his career, including pioneering work in remote sensing as the director of the Center for Remote Sensing at Boston University while maintaining an active research program in his native Egypt.

His impact goes beyond just the scientific research he spearheaded—El-Baz is known by many as an educator and mentor who inspired generations of geologists.

Current Achievement Recipient — Crew of Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test

When NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore launched aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft June 5, 2024, they had prepared for everything, including the unexpected. This was no ordinary mission, but the inaugural crewed launch of a new type of vehicle, something that has only happened six times in NASA's history. After a docking that required expert problem solving by the crew and mission controllers, Williams and Wilmore arrived at the International Space Station.

When on-orbit and on-the-ground tests revealed that returning crew on the Starliner spacecraft may be too risky, their eight-day mission turned into one that lasted more than nine months. Thankfully, Williams and Wilmore's extensive spaceflight experience prepared them to not just adapt but excel with personal strength, grace and competence as they spent a total of 286 days in orbit as valued members of the ISS crew.