Boeing

PARIS, June 19, 2013 – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) doctorate student Brent E. Tweddle, who helped develop a robotic spacecraft research system used on the International Space Station, received the 2013 Boeing Engineering Student of the Year Award from Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Flightglobal during a June 18 ceremony at the Paris Air Show.

Tweddle, a Ph.D. candidate in the MIT Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics’ Space Systems Laboratory, was recognized for exceptional academic, research, and professional skills, and leadership of a program known as SPHERES VERTIGO.

That program demonstrated new vision-based navigation algorithms that had never before been tested in space. Vision-based navigation is considered to be a critical element of enabling future autonomous servicing, inspection, and in-space assembly missions.

"Brent epitomizes what we are trying to recognize and honor with our Engineering Student of the Year Award,” said John Tracy, Boeing chief technology officer and senior vice president of Engineering, Operations & Technology. "This is noteworthy work, and Brent symbolizes the kind of future engineering professionals who will truly make a difference in the field and will help improve the lives of people worldwide.”

Boeing and Flightglobal have partnered since 2005 for the global Engineering Student of the Year competition. Any full- or part-time engineering student pursuing a recognized degree at the undergraduate or graduate levels can participate. A winner’s work must be likely to impact the future of aerospace engineering in areas including new or enhanced capabilities; systems, processes or tools; new levels of performance; and improved life cycle costs.

The award is one way Boeing supports efforts that encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Boeing is the world's leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined. Additionally, Boeing designs and manufactures rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, satellites, launch vehicles and advanced information and communication systems. As a major service provider to NASA, Boeing is the prime contractor for the International Space Station. The company also provides numerous military and commercial airline support services. Boeing provides products and support services to customers in 150 countries. Headquartered in Chicago, Boeing employs more than 170,000 people across the United States and in 70 countries. Total company revenues for 2012 were $81.7 billion.

# # #

Contact:

Felix Sanchez
The Boeing Company
Mobile: +1 562-537-0681
felix.sanchez@boeing.com

Follow us on Twitter: @Boeing