June 12, 2004: Chicago Society for Space Studies and the Heinlein Award For Apollo 13 Astronaut Captain James Lovell

Apollo 13 astronaut Captain James Lovell, CSSS Vice President Jim Plaxco holding the NSS' Heinlein Award, and NSS Executive Director George Whitesides before the formal award ceremony at the Illinois Institute of Technology on June 12, 2004.

During the 2004 International Space Development Conference, Apollo 13 astronaut Captain James Lovell was awarded the NSS's Heinlein Award. Unfortunately Captain Lovell was unable to attend the conference which was being held in Oklahoma City, OK.

CSSS Vice President Jim Plaxco subsequently learned that Captain Lovell was to be the Guest of Honor at a special alumni event at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Jim contacted the Illinois Institute of Technology and made arrangements to have NSS Executive Director George Whitesides present Apollo 13 astronaut Captain James Lovell with the NSS' Heinlein Award, the society's top award, as a part of the alumni event. Mr. Whitesides presented Captain Lovell with the award before an audience of approximately 1,000.