Applied Aerospace Celebrated for Key Role in NASA's Parker Solar Probe Mission
On July 8, 2025, Applied Aerospace received a distinguished recognition from the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) for its vital contribution to NASA's Parker Solar Probe mission. The Parker Solar Probe (PSP) was awarded the highly esteemed 2024 Robert J. Collier Trophy, which is bestowed annually to highlight exceptional achievements in aeronautics or astronautics within America.
Key Contributions to the Parker Solar Probe
As part of a collaborative project involving a full team of specialized companies, Applied Aerospace was instrumental in developing the record-setting spacecraft that enhances our understanding of the Sun—a core aspect of current space research. One of its critical components, the High Gain Antenna, was meticulously engineered in partnership with the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) at Johns Hopkins University. This high-precision system facilitates rapid data transmission between the spacecraft and Earth, even when subjected to the extreme thermal and radiation conditions present in close proximity to the Sun.
The PSP was launched in 2018 to embark on a seven-year journey consisting of 24 close orbits around the Sun. The spacecraft can achieve speeds exceeding 430,000 miles per hour, making it the fastest human-made object ever created. Its closest approach to the Sun, recorded in December 2024 at just 3.8 million miles from the solar surface, shattered the previous record held by Helios 2, set in 1976, by almost 20 million miles. With a suite of scientific instruments, the PSP is tasked with studying electromagnetic fields, measuring atomic particles, and capturing optical images of the solar corona and heliosphere.
The spacecraft is named in honor of Eugene Newman Parker, a distinguished physicist and professor emeritus at the University of Chicago, recognized for his groundbreaking research in solar physics.
The Prestige of the Collier Trophy
Each year, the NAA's selection committee bestows the Collier Trophy for what it identifies as the most noteworthy accomplishment in the field of aeronautics or astronautics. The award specifically highlights achievements that improve the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles through demonstrated success in the prior year. Many industry insiders regard the Collier Trophy as among the most prestigious awards in aerospace, akin to an Oscar for the aviation and space sectors.
Patrick Hart, Vice President of Business Development and Engineering at Applied Aerospace, expressed the company's pride in this recognition: “This accolade demonstrates exceptional collaboration across the industry and the advanced engineering required to enable a mission of this scale. We are privileged to play a part in a program that is revolutionizing our comprehension of the Sun and its influence on the solar system.”
About Applied Aerospace
With a foundation of precision engineering, expert manufacturing, and rigorous quality assurance, Applied Aerospace operates at the forefront of aerospace technology. Both government and commercial entities rely on their solutions for challenging missions that demand performance at the extreme conditions found during hypersonic and orbital flights. Having garnered an impressive 70-year legacy in various domains, including air, land, sea, and space applications, the company integrates advanced engineering with time-tested techniques across composite, metal, and polymer manufacturing to produce components ranging from fuselage and wing structures to antennas and deployable systems for various aviation and space applications. Applied Aerospace is a proud portfolio company of Greenbriar Equity. For further details, visit
www.appliedaero.space.