George Born has been announced as a 2020 inductee into the Colorado Space Heroes Hall of Fame.
The Space Foundation announced the posthumous induction of Born, who was a professor of aerospace engineering sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder for three decades and founded the Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research.
Born joined the CU Boulder aerospace faculty in 1985 and established CCAR, the first research center in the College of Engineering and Applied Science. This center became internationally known for its contributions to spacecraft guidance, control, and navigation; and remote sensing of the oceans and atmosphere with radars and lidars.
Born embodied the role of a mentor, providing countless hours advising, encouraging, nurturing, and advocating for student success. He served as director of CCAR for 28 years, continuing his work until just a few days before his death on January 21, 2016 at the age of 76.
Prior to CU Boulder, Born worked at Johnson Space Center and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he became known for his work in satellite navigation and precise orbit determination. He served on various missions while at JPL including the Mariner 9 Project, the Viking Missions to Mars, and the Seasat Project. During this time, he won seven NASA awards for his technical and managerial contributions.
Over the course of his career, Born was recognized as a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and of the American Astronautical Society and was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering for contributions to satellite geodesy and oceanography.
In announcing the the newest honorees, Space Foundation CEO, Tom Zelibor remarked, “Colorado has always pioneered frontiers and this newest class of inductees continues that tradition of leadership, initiative and achievement. Their spirit and example exemplify the best of this state and are part of the reason Colorado is home to some of the world’s greatest space leaders and capabilities. We are in their debt and humbled to honor them.”
Born is one of three inductees for 2020, in addition to Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.) and G. Thomas Marsh.
The Colorado Space Heroes Hall of Fame was created by the Space Foundation in 2016 to inspire future space heroes and celebrate those who have contributed most significantly to the success of Colorado's space community.
Born will be officially inducted during a ceremony at the Governor’s Residence at Boettcher Mansion on Feb. 26.